Chasing Our Dreams [f.a]

Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka

~ AGE 28 ~

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

''Hey Matthis, how's the car?'' one of my drivers, and a good friend, Robert Kubica asked me as we arrived to Abu Dhabi for the final race of the 2010 Formula One Season.

''Stable.'' I simply replied. We had some rough time during the season and by we I mean, the Renault Team, the team that was officially falling apart, but we were trying to make the best out of all of it.

''I like the word 'stable' for my car. Nie tak bylo. Hasn't been like that much this year.'' Kubica said. ''Hey, hey, dziewzyna... London, you've been doing hell of a job here.''

''God knows what is going to happen with our contracts next year, Rob. Since Flavio left, this ship has been sinking fast.'' I knew the truth, and by the time last race of the season came, we all knew the truth.

''You're gonna be fine, you know it. Lotus bought the Team, you are the piece of Lotus, that's why they shipped you here, to make decent car for them when they're in. Me and Vitaly, we're in deep shit, if you ask me.''

''Vitaly perhaps. Don't get me wrong, but there are much better drivers we can find. He's here because of his capital. Lotus won't need it, I'm sure as hell Lotus will buy some decent guys. Well, guy. You're gonna stay here. You have to stay here.'' I said, and that was what I truly believed. Robert Kubica was a great friend, but alongside my best mate Fernando, he was one of the best drivers on the gird that year.

The 2010 Formula One Season was the 61st season ever held. For 61 years the world has been enjoying the greatness that that racing sport is, and there was nothing better in the world. The 2010 Formula One Season was the last season for Bridgestone as the sole tyre supplier, it was the year when Michael Schumacher came back to save the sport, when Fernando Alonso switched to Ferarri since Kimi Raikkonen retired, and the first season for me to be employed by one of the teams on the grid.

The season kicked off in Bahrain, and the new Ferarri driver took it home. Sure it was Fernando Alonso, his team mate was the old Ferarri driver, and not even the close to the best one. Felippe Massa had his chance in 2008, and it was taken from him at the last turn of the race, Timo Glock gave his place to Lewis Hamilton, and Lewis took the Championship. We were all heartbroken, Felippe was heartbroken, the world was too. That one by far one of the lamest victory of all time, and whatever Timo Glock wanted to earn out of that move, he didn't gain. Season afterwards went in hands of Jenson Button, surprisingly. Fernando was here and there all the time, but he never had the car good enough for his third world championship title.

For the 2010 Season he had it all. He had the Team, the car and he had me on the grid for every single race. I signed the three year contract with Renault, the team that was falling apart, to prepare their car for 2011, the year where my ultimate employer, Lotus, will step back in. When I signed the contract, I believed that Fernando will stay the part of the team, but when he announced that he was leaving, he had only one condition - to let him sleep in my room the night before the race. As we both signed our confidentiality agreements, the teams let us do so. 

We arrived in Abu Dhabi with solid car, being fifth in constructors. Fernando, however, came to Bahrain with 8 points ahead of Sebastian Vettel and he needed no less that sixth place to take his third title. The night before the race, for which he qualified third, he sneaked into my room, as always, as any other night before any other race in his career. 

''What are you thinking?'' he asked me as he was turning the TV on.

''I think it's happening.'' I smiled.