away we go • formula 1

bum(m)

It was the morning of my first Grand Prix in Monaco. To say I was nervous was the biggest understatement of the century if not millennium. I've woken up with a funny feeling in my tummy like something was gonna happen. Daniel laughed and said that it was just the nerves. But I should be proven right.

My crew and I were all ready for the race. The car was fine and everyone seemed rather optimistic. "So Caro do us proud, would you?", one of the mechanics, Eric, laughed. "I'll try my best.".
Anäis pulled me to the aside shortly before the drivers parade to brief me a bit. "Please do not start a fight. Even if they are asking for it which they surely will do. Don't answer questions about contracts, strategies or relationships. Just stay with Brendon, Esteban, Daniel, Max and Stoffel. And don't let Hulk lure you in! He always plans the clubbing for after the race.", she looked down on her phone checking if she missed anything. "And have fun.", she smiled.
I was dressed in our team outfit: A white and blue team polo and some dark blue pants. "Wow I really hate our formal wear.", Brendon walked up to me. We've been waiting in the tunnels for our signal to come out. "Yeah it looks pretty shit.", I chuckled. "Look at Stoffel's. That's decent. Dark grey pants, Black shirt with a bit of orange for the sponsoring.  And then there is ours. The white shirt is basically see-through. The red bull logo is cobalt blue and across the whole back. It's a nightmare.", he chuckled. "I know but a least we don't have Force India's attire.", I smiled. Esteban and Checo looked like a right mess in their pink shirts with orange accents. "True.". We were one of the first ones to step onto the truck and  I chose my place right in the front of it. I watched my fellow racers step on the truck waiting for some in particular. "Baby I haven't seen you yesterday. Magnifique qualifying. Tres bien.", he smiled like a cheshire cat. "Thank you. You weren't too bad yourself.".
The truck started moving and I could already hear the reporter asking away. Luckily she was at the other end and on her way to me were Lewis, Valtteri, Max, Daniel and Alonso so this could take a while. I felt someone bump into me. "Oh I'm so sorry.", the voice said it was the interviewer. How did she get here that fast? "No problem.", I smiled. "Oi watch it. Don't ruin our newest addition.", Daniel called. And I shook my head and laughed. "I'm really sorry.", she looked really embarrassed. "Absolutely no problem.". "I was trying to get to you, more like fall but that's beside the point, because your teammate Brendon Hartley told us something rather interesting. He said that you are a perfect teammate apart from the fact that you sing very loudly in the car. Whether it's a racing car or the shuttle to the hotel. Is that true?", the woman asked. "Well thank you Brendon but yeah it's true. I already got told off for singing in qualifying. It helps me concentrate.", I chuckled. "Obviously there has been a lot of media attention on you. How do you cope with it? You seem so relaxed and down to earth.".  "I guess coming from F2 I'm used to a lot of the stuff that I face in F1. But there is a lot more prestige here in F1. I know I can drive so that helps when people start picking on me. I mean I did win a good handful of races in F2 and I was second overall. That's something especially my friends here Stoffel and Esteban remind me of when I'm close to the edge. So I just take it as it is, surround myself with positive people and If someone's hating I'm wasting not a single thought on that person again.", I explained. "Very healthy approach.". "Thanks I mean there's only one you! Don't let others tear you down because they are jealous. Be you because you are perfect as you are. Love the way you are.", I smiled. "Thank you Carolin.", she left my side after that.
The parade went smoothly and then it was off to the pits.
I got buckled into the car. "Seriously the halo makes getting in really complicated. I can't squeeze my bum in.", I laugh. "Ah get that little chicken ass in there.", Kalke joked. "Funny. You know what? I get a training free day for that comment.", I said while slithering down into my seat.
"Caro the best of luck. This weekend already started great let's make it end even better.", Markus transmitted. "Thank you.". I drove my installation lap and something felt weird. Nothing about the car though just in general. Please don't squeeze me! My biggest fear at the start and the first few corners.
It's lights out and away we go! Excellent start by the pole setter Ricciardo. Vettel had a bit of a slow one but stayed in front of Zwesper who is struggling to keep Bottas behind her. Grosjean who sufferd an engine failure in FP3 and therefore couldn't drive in the Qualifying is already on P18 overtaking Massa and Wehrlein.