Engineered Hearts - Formula One

Chapter 1

December 2022

I am shitting myself. Figuratively speaking of course. But still, shitting myself. Who wouldn't figuratively shit themselves when they're about to go into the head office that belongs to the principal of the best team in Formula One? Apex Formula One team have the richest history within the sport, so to be even invited into the team principals office is an honour in itself. Marcus Hale, the best team principle to grace the sport in the past 10 years, winning 8 constructors championships out of 10, hires the best drivers, the best mechanics, the best backroom staff and of course, the best engineers.  Marcus Hale, the man to invite me to his office after the end of the 2022 season to have a 'chat'. Hence the figuratively shitting. 

For the past two years I have been working for Titan Racing as one of their engineers. They may be one of the lower teams but it sure as hell is still an absolute honour to be able to work there. After busting my ass off at university for what felt like a century, I got to work in Formula 2. I guess someone from Titan Racing had their eye on me because the following season I was in Formula One. When you get to Formula One, whether that be driving, being a mechanic or being an engineer, it's the best but most challenging job you could ever get. Being the youngest engineer at Titan as well as being a woman, I had a lot of eyes on me, waiting for me to make the slightest mistake to be able to pounce on me. Being who I am and present on social media is not for the weak. Ever since I started in Formula One, I don't think there has been a day that has gone by without me receiving a message or a comment calling me a 'PR Stunt'. But, I keep my head down and ignore the comments because I know my worth. However, even I was taken back when Marcus Hale requested I visit him in his office. 

-

I sit on the leather couch outside of his office door, waiting to be called in. I wonder how many people have sat on this couch and wondered what they were getting themselves into. I think to myself. Tapping my knee nervously with my hand, the door to his office opens and Apex's 2 time world champion steps out, giving me a smirk before leaving down the corridor. Logan Kane, only a fool wouldn't know his name. He joined Apex the year I joined Titan, winning both championships since then. He's a typical Formula One driver, drama follows him and so do the women. But I guess his attitude and over confidence is backed by his results on the track. 

"Evelyn James, brilliant to see you," Marcus Hale said with a huge smile which made me feel a little better. 

"Call me Evie, pleasure to meet you," I smiled back, shaking his hand professionally. 

"Well Evie, would you like to come and take a seat in my office?" he asked. 

"Of course" 

I followed him into his office and sat down on the chair that stood in front of his desk. Looking around I could see how he was so successful just based on how organised his office was. Everything neatly put in place, nothing where it shouldn't be. 

"Evie, how has your season been?" he questioned, starting the conversation. 

Do I be honest? Do I back myself up? Do I say the things I think he wants to hear? QUICK. 

"I'm going to be honest Mr Hale..."

"Please, calling me Marcus," he cut me off encouragingly.

"Okay, I'm going to be honest Marcus, I feel as though we should have done a lot better than we did do this season. We had so much potential but things just didn't turn out the way we wanted them to. I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't at my best this year. But I like to think mistakes are the best form of improving," I answered confidently. 

"Well there's one thing that I appreciate in my team more than anything Evie, and that is honesty," he replied making me smile, "No one is perfect, there is always something someone can improve on. That is why my team are the best at what they do. They don't dwell on mistakes, they conquer them." 

"I agree completely. I'm not sure this would be the best thing to say but I like to make mistakes. Because they keep me humble and remind me that no one can be perfect like you say."

"Brilliantly answered Evie. I have a question for you." 

"Go ahead."

"What do you think I look for when deciding on who joins my team?" 

What is he getting at here? Not helping my figuratively shitting Marcus. 

"Personally I believe you look for risk takers. I mean, look at Logan Kane. He was a reserve driver for a year before joining Phoenix Racing. He didn't pull up any trees at Phoenix and I don't mean to be rude when saying this but everyone thought Apex was crazy for signing him two years ago and now look at him. A two time world champion in two years. The risky decisions this team makes nine times out of ten pay off and you have the trophies to show for it. I think you look for underdogs, those who don't get heard or seen or get dismissed that you can see potential in."

"Do you believe you're an underdog Evie?" 

"I believe that I am confident enough to know I have more to offer, but humble enough to know I can always improve."

"Have you ever thought about being a Race Engineer for one of the drivers?" 

Excuse me? 

"That's my dream. Ever since I was a kid, it's what I have always wanted to do." 

"Evie, when you arrived in Formula One two years ago I was intrigued. Not only the youngest engineer to break into Formula One but to be the youngest woman in a male dominated sport, the pressure you must have felt and still feel is something I can only imagine. I'm not one to talk ill of other teams and excuse my French but Titan Racing were shit before you arrived. In the last two years you have helped to get them from finishing 10th every year to 7th. That doesn't go unnoticed. And to be honest, I have found myself getting quite concerned with the amount of other team principals speaking of your name. So, by now you are probably wondering why I invited you here today. And the reasoning is Evie,  I want you on my team." Marcus said causing my eyes to widen involuntarily, "And I want you to be Luca Romano's Race Engineer." 

SAY SIKE RIGHT NOW. I could feel my heart racing like I had been running for ten miles straight. Surely I misheard him. Surely the best team principal from the best team in Formula One did not just ask me to be THE Luca Romano's Race Engineer. Me? Who has two years of Formula One experience. ME?

"Marcus, I don't know what to say..." I say in disbelief, "I am genuinely in shock." 

Marcus laughed. 

"Hopefully it is a yes Evie, because I can't say I wouldn't be extremely disappointed if the answer was no," he smiled. 

"Of course! 100 times yes!"