Chasing Our Dreams [f.a]

British Grand Prix, Silverstone

~ AGE 19 ~

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

After twenty-hour flight girl can only look like a mess. It was Wednesday, February 28th. It was just a week after Fernando found about my boyfriend. He seemed a bit surprised, but never jealous. He wanted to know everything about him, but we were just about to start our first Formula One weekend ever, so Shane wasn't exactly the primary topic.

Shane took me to the airport and kissed me goodbye. He never liked the fact that I spend so much time with Fernando, and he wasn't the happiest man alive because I was flying across the world to be with my other boy. But he had to live with a fact that I have a friend and that, no matter what, Fernando will always be the first and most important person in my life.

I arrived in Melbourne late,  and my best friend was waiting for me at the airport. Sixteen hours time difference meant nothing at that moment, one important thing was that we are together again.

''Welcome to Australia, amiga'' Fernando hugged me.

''It is so good to be here. Are we set for tomorrow?'' I asked.

''Free practice on Melbourne circuit. I even like the sound of it. However, amiga, I am petrified.'' he admitted. I was petrified to.

''You are going to do just fine. We are going to kick some ass this weekend.'' I tried to cheer him up. But we both knew that his car is far from good, but he had to do his best. He needed to make himself a place in some decent team for next year.

For quite some time, Melbourne Grand Prix circuit will be my favorite track of the season. It was the first time I felt like I belonged somewhere. I had black Minardi t-shirt, and I had a place in garage reserved for me. Fernando's parents and his sister were there too. We were all one big, happy family, but all of knew that significance of that race would be nothing if he hadn't had me there. I had to be there for him, and he needed me there. We weren't able to do anything without each other. He has always been my better half. He was my everything.

Minardi had a beautiful car. It was all nice and black and that was the only thing good about it. It was a lousy designed car and the team was not good. But it was a start. We were on the grid.

And it felt perfect.

''So, amiga, do you like it?'' Fernando snuck behind my back, while I was examining the car.

''I love it! You belong here...'' I replied.

''Do you like it? The car?'' he asked.

''Am I even allowed to be here? And just because you asked, can I talk with someone about this car?''

''I can ask for Mr. Bigois, but I can't promise anything.'' Fernando replied. Loic Bigois was head of Aerodynamics in Minardi Team.

''I was so hoping you would say that.''

It was an honor to meet man like him. He was one of the few to get the chance of designing the Formula One car, but the one thing that happened next, I could never predict.

I had so many questions, I studied that car over and over again, I watched their every move since they signed Fernando, and since I was a little girl I was familiar with regulations and every tiny detail about the car. There were so many things they could've done better, they should've known it. They had resources, they just didn't care.

''Don't get me wrong, sir, I respect your work and I admire you for what you do, but in my opinion - the front wing should be...'' I tried to say, but Bigois cut me off. I was sure that I offended him, but he took my hand and said -