away we go • formula 1

Vienna calling

After my talk with Lando I got ready for bed even though it was only 5 pm. I texted Max the time we had to leave tomorrow and ordered room service.
Afterwards I got in bed and watched la casa de papel. One of my favourite tv shows which I fell asleep too.

The next morning my alarm went off at 8:30 giving me enough time to make myself a bit presentable but not to much since they would have a stylist on set for the interview. The only thing positiv about this interview was the fact that it wasn't going to be live. That would be another level of stress that I don't really wanna experience. I told Max to meet me at 9:30 in the lobby where we were gonna be picked up by a driver to get to Vienna.
"Hi Max", I greeted him when he came down to the lobby. "Hi. You ready?", he asked as we hugged. "As can be.", I smiled.
The drive to Vienna took us about 3 hours from door to door. Max napped the whole time and I went over the questions. As advised I planned my responses beforehand so I don't get stuck. I could feel my nerves building up and my heart beating faster. We arrived in Vienna at the headquarters of ORF.  Max woke up when the car stopped and looked hella confused. "Are we there already?", he asked completely unaware of how much time has passed. "Yes. Come on we're going in now.", I motioned first him to get out of the car. Since Anäis was technically Pierre's assistant I got someone else for this trip. Anäis and Pierre have some things to take care of concerning Pierre's move to Red Bull. My new substitute PA was actually from Austria and I was to meet her here for the first time. "So you got your own PA now?", Max asked as we were led through the building. "I guess? I actually just got a text from Anäis telling me someone will take care of me.", I shrugged. "Weird things happening at Toro Rosso. I'm telling you. I heard that they are thinking about replacing Danil again.", Max said. "To be honest I know next to nothing about these things. But you know. Pierre getting the bump up with Daniel out. I mean It's not official or anything yet but I really do believe he will leave Red Bull. Which is a shame because I really like him.", I explained. The F1 driver market is a really ruthless one. Especially at Red Bull if you don't deliver they do not hesitate to kick you out and replace you. "I really hope he does change his mind. I would hate to see him go. Even if it's just a few garages to the side.", he seemed really sad.
Saying that I didn't know about the situation at Toro Rosso was a lie. Of course I know that Daniil was being dropped and Alex Albon is gonna come in if Pierre gets bumped up to Red Bull which would happen if Daniel really left Red Bull. Daniil was already sidelined this season and Brendon came in to substitute him after a disagreement between Daniil and the team.  But I signed a NDA and breaking that would jeopardise my contract for next year. After the summer break we will be more certain about that stuff so I gotta keep my mouth shut for the next few weeks.

I got to my dressing room and was stunned at the sight. In there was a childhood friend of mine with whom I haven't spoken in way too long. "What are you doing here?", I screamed and hugged her. "Meet your new PA!", to say I was shocked was an understatement. "What? How? I'm so sorry I've been such a shit friend I didn't call you in forever", I was completely stunned. "Yes you were but I forgive you because you've had enough on your plate. For the how: You remember my uncle working for red bull and me studying public relations? Well somehow he got me a job here with Red Bull. But enough chit chat we can talk later. Now we have to get you ready you are on in an hour.", she explained. "I missed you Sofie!", I said an hugged her. "Missed you too.".

Max sat down on the sofa in the room while so got ready. Minimal makeup, our team gear and I was ready to go.
"Are you gonna stay in here?", I asked Max. "Yes I have to call my mum anyways. Have fun.", he smiled and went on his phone.

I walked into the studio was greeted very nicely by Ernst Hausleiter the interviewer. "Hallo und danke, dass Sie sich vor dem Grand Prix Zeit genommen haben. (Hello and thank you for taking the time before the Grand Prix.)", he welcomed me. "Danke für die Einladung. (Thank you for the invitation).", I smiled. He offered me a seat and the couch and we got started.
"Guten Abend meine Damen und Herren. Liebe Motorsportfreunde. Heute habe ich einen ganz besonderen Gast für sie. Sie ist nicht nur eine heimische Sportlerin, sondern auch noch in einer sehr männerdominierten Sportart daheim. Begrüßen sie mit mir Carolin Zwesper. (Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Friends of motorsport. Today I have a very special guest for you. She is not only a native but also participating in a male dominated sport. A very special welcome for Carolin Zwesper.)", the camera pointed at me and so waved. "Danke, dass ich hier sein darf. (Thank you for having me.)", I greeted.
"So first of all for everyone who doesn't know you. Who are you and what are you doing?", the questioners started. "I'm Carolin Zwesper. I'm 20-years-old and a Formula 1 driver. ", I smiled. "How did you get into Formula 1. We don't often have women in the sport, at least not driving.".
"Well I started karting quite late at like 12 I think. And it was just a hobby. No thinking of F1 or anything like that. Eventually when I was around 14 I got recognised by Nikki Lauda who spoke to my parents about endorsing me. Well you see my family is from the working class so we are not rich. I do however count myself as a very privileged person because I got the chance to pick up this sport competitively even though we weren't the most wealthy family. So at 15 I got signed by a Team in F3 Carlin. And then at 17 I got to F2 and stayed with Carlin. That is when Red Bull came into the picture. Niki Lauda was always adamant that he wanted me in a Mercedes junior Programm but I guess some things don't work out the way you want them to, even if you are Niki Lauda. But yeah, Red Bull wanted me as a part of their drivers academy. So after I finished in second place last season behind Charles Leclerc they wanted me in F1. Then we started negotiating and luckily I am in F1 with Toro Rosso now. Even though the circumstances as for why I am driving right now are not the ones I wished for."
"So being a woman, was it hard for you to adapt?"
"Mhm I don't know maybe it's different but I don't think it's harder. I already knew Stoffel Vandoorne because he was like a mentor for me when I joined F2. And also Esteban Ocon. I kind of knew Charles but we weren't ever like buddies or anything. And of course I knew Pierre. It's weird because most of the younger drivers I already knew from karting or something but for example Max Verstappen was so quick to get to F1 that even though we are the same age we never met before. But I think the main goal is definitely not finding friends but driving fast. And to find some friends along the way is just an extra."
"So it seems like you are already fully in it. How happy are you with your season so far? You got put in for an injured driver."
"Yes I did. Pierre Gasly had a nasty accident this season where he broke his arms and had some internal injuries. He is on the mend thankfully but in no way fit to drive. So I got put in. Before that I was the test and development driver for the team for this season. And actually I' really happy about my season so far. My first race in Barcelona went well 8th place and then came Monaco which was a disaster. But Montreal was nice with a sixth place.  And last week Le Castellet which was again a disaster.  But when I got to the finish line I was in the points so I think that is positive."
"Are you excited for your first home Grand Prix?"
"Very. I can't describe how excited I am and also nervous. All my friends and family are so proud of what I've achieved. I really hope it's gonna be a good, fun race. Also all the Max Verstappen fans are gonna party anyway so it's gonna be really great I believe."
"How about your personal life? Has that changed since you started F1?"
"I mean I was a really boring person before. Or not boring but I guess normal. I wasn't clubbing all the time or going out every evening. But I have never been harassed on Instagram before F1 so that new."
"Harassed?"
"Yeah I guess there are a lot of people who see me, a woman, as a threat to their prestigious motorsports. They think that because of me the rules will be adapted or whatever. All I have to say about that is, that I have no interest in a rule change or anything of that sorts. All so want to do is racing."
"One last question: Do you think that the mindset of some people will change? That they will become more accepting of a female driver?"
"Really do hope so! There are so many girls that are interested in motorsports and for example Sophia Flörsch is an up and coming driver who has got great potential. So yes I hope and I believe that it will change."