Formula One • One Shots & Preferences • DISCONTINUED

➢ Sebastian Vettel - "If I leave, I won't be coming back."

danricciardo3

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Whilst the world tried to hide its prejudice against women in motorsport, it was clear that it was still evident in this day and age. No matter how hard I try, no matter what obstacles I overcome, there always seems to be someone telling me that I should quit. The walls I need to knock down seem to be getting thicker the more I progressed in the sport. Driving a single seater had been a dream of mine since I was a little girl and I sure as Hell wasn't going to be taken advantage of.

It took a little longer for me to progress into the league where every driver dreams of ending up - Formula One. Whilst the Male rookies all seemed to be around the age of twenty, I was only able to make it at the age of twenty five. At that point, I had been racing for almost four years in Formula Two without any indication of a promotion. It was a dream come true when Alfa Romeo accepted me as Kimi's replacement after his retirement. I had big, legendary boots to fill.

For the first season with them, everything seemed to go amazingly. I was a consistent in out-qualifying my teammate (nineteen to three) and also consistent with my performance (fourteen point finishes and only one DNF). It was clear to almost everyone that I was the stronger out of the two of us, however I was barely being payed a quarter of what he was earning. The offer for the next season was the exact same.

To say I was furious was an understatement. I actively vented my frustrations to a driver that I considered to be a close friend, Sebastian Vettel. Our teams were closely linked so naturally we got to talking. Our personalities seemed to match and we got along amazingly well. A part of me wanted something to happen romantically between us since he has been divorced for a couple of years now, however the lasts thing I need right now is backlash from the public. Every time I pictured Seb and i together, I could hear the criticism. I'd get so much stick for dating a driver, even more so when that driver is a multiple world champion. I just know that people would assume the worst; that I'm only dating him to get ahead in my career since I don't have the talent to rely on. I heard it all when I briefly dated one of the Ferrari engineers whilst in F2.

A meeting was being held for negotiations a little after the new year. Not only would us at Alfa Romeo be attending, but so would the Ferrari team. It was rather convenient considering I had been staying with Seb over the new year (unknown to everyone else). I wore an outfit that wasn't overly feminine by society's standards: smart trousers, white blouse, with my hair in a low ponytail. I did wear heels, however.

"Are you going to bring up your pay?" Seb asked as I changed into a higher gear. I was currently driving us both to the meeting. It was a little icy on the roads so I was having to keep the pace slow which gave Seb plenty of opportunity to notice my nerves.

"I don't know," I answered honestly with a small shrug. I didn't take my eyes off the road but could see him frown out of the corner of my eye.

"C'mon, (y/n). You and I both know this isn't fair. You should be earning at least the same as your teammate - you have both got the same amount of sponsors; you both have the same experience in F1. If anything, you should be getting payed more than him. I'm surprised your back doesn't hurt from carrying that team all of last season."

I exhaled deeply and pursed my lips to the side. "You and I both know it's not that simple."

"It can be."

"Really, Seb - it can't. Trust me." I put my hand that had been resting on the gearstick onto his knee. He placed his on top of mine and gave it a small squeeze. "I can't rock the boat."