Today was the day of my first Qualifying in Monaco. I left Stoffel's place on Wednesday in the evening. He didn't want to let me but Toro Rosso booked a room for me already since I was one of the few on the grid that didn't own a flat here in Monaco.
"Caro big day. I'm confident and I hope you are too.", Markus said and squeezed my shoulder. "I guess so.", to say I was beyond nervous was an understatement. I literally felt like puking. "You'll do great.FP1 was a bit bumpy but you improved a lot. You only touched one wall this morning.", he built me up. "That's true.".
I got ready in my changing room taking my balaclava, gloves and helmet with me. This is it the trickiest part of the weekend. We've trained this about 200 times in the simulator but I didn't feel ready at all. "Psst.", I heard behind me. "Stoffel? How did you get in here?", I was confused as to how he managed to get inside the Toro Rosso garage. "That doesn't really matter. I just came to wish you good luck. I know you'll be great.", he smiled at me and I melted under his stare. "Thank you.", I couldn't take my eyes off of him. He looked around as if he was searching for someone. Then he planted his perfectly shaped soft lips on mine. "For good luck. And also I needed this.", he whispered and then left my garage. It took me a few moments to comprehend what just happened and then I turned bright red. That boy...
I got into my car. "Caro we want a solid lap in Q1. We've estimated that the times you did in the simulator should be enough for Q2.", Markus transmitted over the radio.
"Ok got it.", I was completely in the zone .
As soon as I got the get go I speeded out of the pits and onto the race track. "Tyre temperature is good. Watch the breaks.", was broadcasted. "Ok. There is quite a lot of traffic. Will I be able to get a clean lap?", I asked. "Positive."
And it was time start my first flying lap. I sped up to the first corner and braked right at the apex. I had to concentrate so much - every corner had its difficulties. Last corner and my first time was set. "Box, box,box.".
I parked my car and immediately got all the information I needed. Out of the tunnel and into the chicane I had a small error which they estimated cost me around 0.60 seconds. "Fudge. Can I go again. Is there enough time?", I asked. "You are currently in P7. We wait a bit. Maybe at the end but if it's not necessary then no.", Markus explained. The sun was burning down and I felt like I was sitting in s slow cooker. "Caro you are through to Q2. Finished Q1 in P11.", I was told. Well that was ok since I made quite a big mistake in my eyes. "What about Brendon ?". "He's P12."
Q2 was always my least favourite. I can't explain why but it seemed like the most stressful one out of them three. "You have new tyres. So watch the first few corners please. Good luck.", my race engineer let me know.
The installation lap went smoothly and I felt more and more comfortable on this track. "Ok don't get too comfortable now. A clean lap please. You might run into some traffic.", I was told. "Ok. Did you change the front wing or something? The car feels different.", I asked as I went past the hotel. "Yes a bit less downforce. You lost a lot of time on the straights compared to Brendon. Now you both have similar settings."
I started my flying lap and as I got yo the tunnel I felt myself get a bit nervous. I messed this up before I can't mess it up again. This time I braked a bit earlier and went around the chicane a lot smoother resulting in me being able to accelerate earlier. Well this was better than ever. "Superb lap come into the pits.", Markus told me. "Aye aye sir.", I steered my car back into the garage. "You are currently in P4. Daniel, Vettel and Hamilton in front of you. Right behind you Bottas and Raikkönnen.", I took in all the information shown to me. I definitely found some corners I could improve. I stayed in my car the whole time through Q2. When clock showed 2:47 minutes of Q2 are left I was sent out again. "Give it all you got.".
"I have to disappoint you. You are not gonna have the pleasure of getting out of the car just yet. We are through to Q3.", Markus joked. "Damn I was already dreaming of Pina Colada's and cake.", I laughed.
Q3 was another story apart from the three big teams there was Esteban, Checo, Carlos and me. Stoffel sadly didn't get to Q3 so did Fernando. "Ok next 10 minutes we need maximum concentration. I know you can do it. Give it all you have but please don't crash the car.", my engineer told me. "Cheers."
The first try failed miserably. "Sorry sorry can I go again?", I asked. "Yes.". The second try went better - a lot better to be honest. "Take that Monaco.", I said while speeding through the tunnel. "Incredible Caro! What can I say... P5! Amazing drive. You certainly showed them.", Markus was overjoyed. "Whoooooooohooooooooo! Hahaha Thank you! Couldn't have done it without you. I need some cake now!", I drove back into pits.
I jumped out of my car and looked at the starting grid.
P1 Ricciardo
P2 Hamilton
P3 Verstappen
P4 Vettel
P5 Zwesper
P6 Bottas
P7 Perez
P8 Raikkönnen
P9 Sainz
P10 Ocon
P11 Hülkenberg
P12 Alonso
P13 Ericsson
P14 Hartley
P15 Vandoorne
P16 Stroll
P17 Magnussen
P18 Wehrlein
P19 Massa
P20 Grosjean
I couldn't actually believe what I was seeing. Me in P5 in Monaco! A week ago I couldn't even drive one lap without crashing the car and now I out-qualified Raikkönnen, Bottas, Alonso and many more.
I was just sitting in my changing room when someone came in."You were amazing! I was routing for you the whole time.", Daniel said and plopped down next to me. "Thank you. Congrats on pole. You definitely deserve it.", I congratulated Mr. Ricciardo. " I'm excited for tomorrow. I love Monaco. And now Miss Zwesper I'm actually here to get you because apparently you forgot how to use a phone.", Daniel pulled me up and we walked to out of the garage. "Christian wants to have a mini team dinner today. So we gotta meet him and the others at the restaurant at 7. Don't worry someone will take you there.", Daniel said and left the room.
"Lin!", I heard someone call me. "Yes one moment please.", I was just changing into my teamshirt and some blue jeans. "I was waiting for you but-", It was Stoffel and I was only halfway done with getting changed. So there I was in my jeans and a bra looking mortified at a blushing but smirking Stoffel. How do you smirk and blush at the same time? Ask me something easier like rocket science. "I'm sorry I didn't know.", he apologised but his eyes never left my body. "Uhhm", I didn't really know what to say so I just pulled the shirt over my head. I was standing there awkwardly not really knowing what to do. Stoffel walked over to me and gave me a sweet short kiss."If it helps you looked really hot.", he whispered. I had to chuckle,"Idiot.".
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away we go • formula 1
Fanfiction"It's lights out and away we go!" Carolin has never been more excited for a Grand Prix in her life. Starting the 2018 season as a test driver for Toro Rosso was already a dream come true. But after a terrible crash in Baku she gets the chance to dr...
