La Novellina: beyond the helmet

Formula 4 - chapter 5: Misano, family

Grand Prix 5: Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli

Friday:

Free practice sessions are perfect: the car responds like never before and every lap brings Micky closer to the top.

Saturday:

In qualifying, it's all perfect: the result is a pole position.

-

The return to the garage is like a party: all the mechanics come to greet her; Marco, joking as always, is a bit of a party pooper.

"Guys, it's not her first pole! Why you are so happy?!" he says; then he hugs her tightly, almost suffocating her.

"Good job..."

Wait, she knows this voice...

She looks in the distance, at the back of the garage, and sees her father's gaze behind the computer screens.

"Thanks..." she replies only, visibly moved.

Marco, in the meantime, watches the scene.

"They're really stubborn... But I love them too much!"

Sunday:

The first race is hers: a perfect start, a steady pace and, when she crosses the finish line, the feeling is indescribable...

Micky wins her first Grand Prix!

In the other two races of the weekend, she maintains excellent positions but nothing compares to the joy of that victory.

-

Marco and her father are the first to come to her in the pit lane: the team principal stays one step behind and, as soon as they reach her, he pushes her father, catapulting him against her.

The situation, which should be one of happiness, is instead tense...

"You were good today" her father says.

"Thank you, it would have been better to arrive first in the other two races too but..."

This time it's him who doesn't let her finish speaking.

"That's fine, for today..."

"Okay..." she says, relieved but still uncomfortable.

Seeing that the situation has improved but is still difficult for her, Marco, with a wave of his hand, authorizes all the members of the team, previously instructed to leave space for her father to try to be a good dad for once, to be free to come and congratulate her: a fleet of boys, girls, men and women rush towards her and, after having made her climb on the shoulders of the giant mechanic Christian, they begin the celebrations by singing the italian anthem and shouting her name repeatedly.

At that moment, she begins to understand that this team might have been the right choice after all; maybe it wasn't the team she envisioned at first, but Marco has always believed in her and his support has proven crucial.