New driver in the paddock

Turkish Grand Prix: Rain and Race

The Turkish Grand Prix weekend kicked off with a cold and damp Friday morning, the track at Istanbul Park looking unpredictable with its slick, damp surface. Y/n arrived early, a cup of coffee in hand, eyes scanning the team’s garage as the mechanics busied themselves. There was a palpable buzz of excitement and tension in the air, with the championship battle reaching its crescendo. The media was relentless, and Y/n could feel the weight of their expectations and questions following her every move.

As she walked into the paddock, journalists immediately swarmed. "Y/n, how do you feel heading into the Turkish GP after the drama in Italy and Russia?" one asked, voice eager for any juicy detail.

Y/n smiled politely, the familiar mask slipping into place. "Every race is a new challenge. I’m just focusing on what’s ahead. We've learned from the last races, and we’ll push to do better here."

Another journalist quickly followed up. "There’s been talk about your dynamic with Max—how are things between you two after the last few team orders?"

Y/n paused, choosing her words carefully. "Max and I are teammates, and we’re both giving it everything for the team. Sometimes things get intense on track, but at the end of the day, we respect each other. We both want to win, and that’s what drives us."

With media duties out of the way, she headed back toward the Red Bull hospitality, where drivers and team members gathered for a quick breakfast before FP1. The sound of laughter greeted her as she entered the room. Carlos and Charles were sitting together, deep in conversation about the tricky conditions on track.

"You ready for some sliding out there?" Carlos grinned, waving Y/n over to join them.

Y/n chuckled as she sat down. "Oh, you know it. Istanbul Park is always a wild ride, and with this rain, it's going to be even more unpredictable."

"Turn 8 is going to be chaos," Charles mused, shaking his head. "It’s going to be all about balance today."

As the session drew closer, the drivers started trickling out toward the garages, preparing for their first taste of the Turkish track this season.

FP1 was a tentative session for everyone, with the track remaining damp, and slick spots lurking at every corner. Y/n pushed the car cautiously in the early laps, testing the grip levels. "Careful into Turn 1, it’s like ice out here," she warned her engineer over the radio.

The commentary team quickly picked up on her performance.

"Y/n’s being cautious today," one commentator noted. "She’s feeling out the track and waiting for the right moment to push. You can tell she’s not taking unnecessary risks, especially after the challenges she’s faced in the past few races."

As the session progressed, Y/n grew more confident. She posted competitive lap times, eventually finishing FP1 in P3, just behind Lewis and Valtteri. The team seemed pleased with her performance, but there was still work to be done.

FP2 proved to be a tricky affair as the weather worsened, the track evolving constantly. Rain hit midway through the session, and Y/n wrestled with the car in the slippery conditions. "It’s tough out here!" she radioed in after a heart-stopping moment through Turn 8, where the rear of her car twitched under braking. Despite the challenges, she managed to end the day in the top five, gaining valuable data for the race ahead.

The next morning, Y/n arrived early for FP3. The rain had cleared, but the track remained greasy in some areas. Max greeted her with a nod as they walked toward the garage together. "Still slippery out there?" he asked, his tone light, though there was an underlying tension between them, a residue from the past few races.