New driver in the paddock

United States Grand Prix: One step closer to the end

The United States Grand Prix weekend arrived, and there was a palpable sense of excitement as the Formula 1 paddock descended upon Austin, Texas. Circuit of the Americas (COTA) was buzzing with energy, the American fans bringing their unique blend of enthusiasm and showmanship to the event. Y/n could feel it as soon as she stepped off the plane—the anticipation of yet another critical race in the rapidly intensifying championship.

Media duties kicked off the weekend, with drivers shuttling between interviews, fan meet-and-greets, and promotional appearances. Y/n, now a seasoned pro at handling the pressure, managed the flood of questions with a calm smile, even though the tension of the championship was ever-present in the back of her mind.

"Y/n, you’ve been on a roll recently, especially with that podium in Turkey. How are you feeling going into this race?" one journalist asked during the press conference.

"Yeah, Turkey was great for us, and it’s always nice to have momentum on your side. But Austin is a completely different challenge, so we’re just focused on getting the best result we can here," Y/n replied, her tone measured but confident.

Another reporter quickly followed up, "It’s a close battle at the top. Do you feel like the pressure is mounting with each race?"

"Definitely," she nodded, "but that’s part of the job. If you’re not feeling the pressure, you’re probably not pushing hard enough."

After the press conference, Y/n spotted Lewis chatting with Daniel Ricciardo, who had his usual big grin on display. As she made her way over, Daniel turned to her, still chuckling from something Lewis had said.

"Y/n! How’s it going? Ready to ride some horses this weekend?" Daniel joked, alluding to the cowboy culture in Texas.

Y/n laughed. "I’ll stick to driving at 300 km/h, thanks!"

Lewis grinned at their banter before adding, "Don’t worry, Y/n’s all about horsepower."

The drivers continued to joke around for a bit longer before parting ways, heading to their respective commitments. It was nice to have those light-hearted moments in the midst of such a high-stakes weekend.

Friday’s practice sessions were all about understanding the nuances of the circuit. The weather was warm and the track temperatures high, meaning tire degradation would be crucial. Y/n started FP1 cautiously, finding the balance in the car and learning how it handled through COTA’s high-speed corners and long straights.

By the time FP2 came around, she was feeling more comfortable. COTA’s infamous Turn 1, with its steep uphill entry, presented a challenge, but Y/n was up for it. She pushed harder during the session, finishing P2 behind Lewis. "The car feels good, but there’s more to come," she radioed in after the session. The team was happy with the day’s progress, but they all knew qualifying and the race would be much tougher.

After the second session, Y/n bumped into Max in the paddock. They exchanged nods of mutual respect. "How’s the car feeling?" Max asked casually.

"Pretty good, actually," Y/n replied, "but it’s going to be tight this weekend. Everyone’s so close on pace."

Max shrugged, his calm demeanor unshaken. "Yeah, it’s going to be a battle out there, for sure."

Saturday morning’s FP3 session saw the temperatures rising even further, making tire management even trickier. Y/n put in some solid laps, but the focus was clearly on qualifying. After fine-tuning the car setup, she felt ready to fight for a front-row spot.

Qualifying was as intense as expected. In Q1 and Q2, Y/n delivered consistent lap times, easily making it through to the final session. When Q3 began, it was clear that pole position would be decided by mere tenths of a second. Y/n’s first flying lap was strong, putting her in provisional P2. On her final lap, she pushed even harder, nailing the middle sector, but ultimately finished in P3, just behind Max in P2 and Lewis on pole.

"Y/n has been impressive all weekend," one commentator noted. "She’s right in the mix with Max and Lewis, and tomorrow’s race could go either way."

Race day dawned with clear skies and the Texan sun beating down on the circuit. The atmosphere in Austin was electric, with thousands of fans lining the grandstands, eager to see how the race would unfold.

The race start was clean but intense. As the lights went out, Y/n got a good start, holding her position through the steep Turn 1. The battle between the top three was fierce, with Lewis, Max, and Y/n exchanging fastest laps in the opening stint. Y/n kept pace with the leaders, waiting for the right moment to strike.

As the pit window opened, Y/n’s team opted for an aggressive strategy, pitting her early to attempt the undercut on Max. When he pitted a few laps later, it worked—she emerged ahead of him, now in P2 behind Lewis.

The second half of the race was a nail-biting affair. The team urged Y/n to manage her tires, but Lewis was pushing hard, and so was Max, who was close behind her. The race came down to the final few laps, with Y/n managing to fend off Max’s advances while trying to catch Lewis.

In the end, she crossed the line in P2, just behind Lewis, with Max rounding out the podium in P3. It wasn’t the win she’d hoped for, but it was a solid result in a tense and competitive race.

In the post-race interview, Y/n was asked about her performance. "It was a tough race, but I’m happy with P2. We gave it everything, and it was all about managing the tires and the pressure from behind. We’re still in the hunt, and that’s what matters."

She spotted Lewis in the paddock afterward, and they shared a brief, respectful nod. "You were fast out there," Lewis remarked, offering her a smile.

"You too," Y/n replied. "It’s getting tight."

"Always is," he chuckled, before heading off to his own interviews.

As Y/n reflected on the weekend, she knew the title fight was far from over. The U.S. Grand Prix had been another chapter in a season full of twists and turns, and with only a few races left, every point would matter in the intense battle for the championship.