away we go • formula 1

done

"We can't go on like this.", I said to Stoffel after calming down. "Don't get me wrong not being with you was the worst but us two as a couple it doesn't work.", I started sobbing again. Deep inside I knew I felt like this for quite a while but saying it out loud was different. It made it feel very real. But what Stoffel said next took me by surprise: "I know. Maybe us just being best friends would be better. I love you but I don't think it's enough.", he kissed the top of my head. "But why does it hurt so much when it's the right decision?", the tears were back now. "Because we do love each other. But you need to find someone that's right for you and so do I. I'll always love you and you'll always be my best friend but I think this relationship was just too good to be true.", we cuddled on my bed. We laid there in silence for a few minutes. "Did we just break up?", I asked. "I think we did.". It was like the earth stood still.

I woke up to the sound of my alarm the next morning. Stoffel must've left the room sometime this night because all he left behind was a note on the bedside table.
Good morning!
I hope you slept well. I'll see you on track
Stoff <3
He still puts a heart...

"Oi oi squirt! You look way better. Everything fixed?", Dan asked me when I got into the shuttle. "I'm now single. Take it however,", I said with a small smile and shrug of the shoulders. "Sorry.", he looked rather guilty. "It was a mutual decision. It's honestly the only right way. It's fine. It's not but it is.", Daniel hugged me. "I'll wingman you.", he joked. "I might actually take you up on that offer.", I giggled. "All I can say from experience is that you forget about all of that in the car.", Dan tried. I really hope so.

"Caro we are having some engine problems. So mode 5 please.", I got told by Markus on lap 23. "The dashboard is gone", I transmitted back. "Ok stop the car please. Mode fail. Mode fail.". "**********! ********! *******!", I screamed.
"And that's Zwesper out with what appears to be an engine issue. Bottas still leading the race with Hamilton now in P2."

I got back to the garage. "Caro we are so sorry.", Markus started. "Don't worry. I guess it can happen. I'm gonna go back to my motorhome if you don't need me anymore.", I really wasn't mad at them. "We'll send Anäis if we need you again.".
I watched the rest of the rest on the tv in my motorhome. Bottas finished in P1. with Hamilton in P2 and Dan completing the podium. I decided I needed a shower before I went to the media paddock.
"So my dear. So a quick round around the media paddock and then we have a big Sky interview coming up.", Anäis told me er voice full of glee. "What do you mean big Sky interview?", I was a little taken back. "I told you. Sky wants to do an interview with you, Brendon, Max and Daniel.", I tried to keep a straight face and hide my complete confusion but my pokerface was a bust. "I seriously don't understand how you are such a great driver but have a brain the size of a peanut.", she chuckled. "Showtime.", I stepped in front of the first camera.
"So it wasn't the best race weekend for you here. Do you think it was the car or yourself?", wow thanks for the confidence boost idiot. It was some english sports tv. "First of all yes it wasn't the best weekend obviously. I don't think it was necessarily the car or me. I guess the mixture of this circuit not playing into the favour of our car and me not being the best version of myself left us with this result.", I stepped away from the gut and went over to the Austrian tv. "Carolin Viel Pech war da heute dabei. Wie schätzen Sie ihre eigene Leistung ein? (Lost of bad luck today. How do you feel about your performance?)", I liked him. "Uff ja hätte besser laufen können. Bis zur 23./24. Runde war alles ok. Ich bin auch nicht zu schlecht gefahren aber dann hat der Motor einfach aufgegeben. ( Could've gone better. Until lap 23/24 everything was alright. My driving wasn't too bad but then the engine was just gone)", I explained and shrugged my shoulders. "Eine Frage noch. Sind Sie aufgeregt vor dem Großen Preis von Österreich? ( Just one more question. Are you excited for the GP of Austria?)", he asked with a twinkle in his eye. "Oh ja.", I grinned and walked over to Ziggo. "Good drive of you today. But unfortunately not until the end.", the reporter started. "Well I guess it can happen. I mean of course I'm not happy but it was no one's fault.", I answered truthfully. "Unlike last time with the missing tyres and the pitstop.", he had to bring that up, didn't he. "You know what's past is in the past. Moaning about it won't fix it. We'll all just focus on the next race.", with that I ended the interview.

"Good job out there. Really professional.", Anäis praised me. "I learned from the best.", I grinned. "So this Sky interview. Do we wear team gear or our own clothes?", I asked while we walked back to my motorhome. "Team gear. And no you do not need to wash you hair or put makeup on, you look good."

"That's gonna be the best interview we've ever had.", Daniel announced as the four of us walked to the location. "Do you really think so?", Brendon asked. "Of course. We got you. Then we got Caro who is like actually really funny and also attracts a lot of attention. Then of course Max who is just funny cause of my good influence but he's funny. And last but not least me.", I had to shake my head. "This is gonna be a mess.", I chuckled. "As long as it isn't axe throwing again.",Max complained. Our PR's all briefed us before the interview especially Daniel to not say anything compromising or anything about any contracts.

"Welcome back and today we are four of your favourite F1 drivers. Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen, Carolin Zwesper and Brendon Hartley.", they announced us. A chorus of hi's and hey's could be heard. "So lady and gentlemen. How are you doing?", we were asked. "Lady's first.", Daniel said and I rolled my eyes. "Well good I guess.", I answered awkwardly. I felt really out of place. „And what about you others?". „Great." „Good."
„So next week the Austrian GP is coming up. Your team's home race and Carolin's home race. How high are the excitement levels?" we were asked and I gotta admit that I was really excited. „You know home races are always special. I think it's even more special for Carolin cause she actually is from Austria.", Max answered. „I mean it's my first GP in Austria in F1. I am very excited.", Brendon answered. "And how do you feel?", I was asked. "I am very excited. But also I fear that I might get overwhelmed by all of it. My family will be there as well as my friends. So yes I'm very excited.", I grinned.

"That interview was the worst.", I moaned very loudly to the boys. "Cheer up! I'm gonna go see my wife. Bye.", Brendon said and excused himself. "It was really awkward wasn't it?", Daniel said and the three of us started laughing.