Unexpected

Part 19

Australia is hot. I've not been here before, since Formula 2 doesn't race here. I flew in on Sunday, and have been on a packed schedule ever since. I've met an abundance of fans, participated in Australian activities for the camera (such as surfing), eaten local cuisine (ostrich, anyone?), and have signed so many items that my hand feels numb. I wish I was ambidextrous.

I had planned an evening and night on Tasmania to try and see the aurora australis, the southern lights. My sister Maika and I drive to Cockle Creek from the capital and get the amazing experience of seeing them in the night sky. We take pictures and video chat with family, though the lights don't show up very well on camera. 

Thursday morning I and some of my fellow drivers are being interviewed for the official press conference. When we are in a private room before the event, Sebastian asks me what I'm wearing.

"Is that a tutu?"

"No, but it is made of tulle." It is a black, not very fluffy, tulle skirt. I'm also wearing the regulatory Nissan tee shirt with all the sponsor names, and my hair is styled in a simple updo.

"Huh. You don't need to remind everyone that you're a girl underneath your race suit. We all know. Even without the dangly earrings."

"Lewis is wearing way more jewelry than I am. And that's not why I wore it. Number one, I adore skirts. And number two, this is cooler than pants."

"I don't know, I think I look pretty cool in mine."

"Ha ha. Cooler as in temperature. I don't want to sweat if I don't have to."

"It's probably going to be the most talked about thing of the press conference," he says. "Is that your goal?"

"There's no such thing as bad publicity," I retort.

Lewis laughs. "Don't believe that."

Someone walks in and ushers us out to the table, where we sit down and put on our microphones. I put my Nissan logo-ed water bottle on the table so the cameras can see it and get ready for the first question. They open with a request for each driver to give their thoughts and memories of Charlie Whiting, the director of FIA, who had passed away in the early morning hours. And after that question, I am the first driver the F1 representative speaks with. "As the newest team to Formula One, what are the expectations that Nissan have for this year?"

"We expect to be in the midfield and earn points. We expect to learn more about the car and its performance, and we expect to build on our knowledge and get better as the season progresses." Whew. That wasn't bad. I try not to say um, but pause if I can't quickly think of the next word.

"And as the first female driver in over twenty years, what do you personally wish to accomplish this year?"

"The same thing that the male drivers wish to accomplish, I suppose. I want to be the best that I can be, which hopefully translates to points. And I wish to have a contract by the end of the season."

The remaining drivers get their turn before the announcer says, "Let's open this up to the floor now. As ever, please remember to give your name and publication."

Oh boy. Now any journalist can ask us a question. Most are for the more popular drivers, Lewis, Seb, and Max. Some are for all of us, such as this: If I could ask all of you briefly, what do you think of the new rule of a point for fastest lap?

"I don't see a problem with it, but I don't think it has to be only if the driver finishes in the points," is my answer.

And this one: The first Grand Prix of the season means the end of the winter break, a time in which you have more spare time. What was the nicest, funniest or weirdest thing you've done in the winter of 2018/2019?

"The nicest thing I've done is go on vacation with my family. We saw the northern lights at Taimyr in Russia."

"And the weirdest is get married," Max interjects.

"That's not nice," I tell him. "Apologize to Sangil."

"Is your husband here?" asks the reporter.

"Not yet. He flies in tonight."

I get one question just for me. And one I wish I didn't have to answer.

"Sochi. Do you see yourself as a role model for young girls? Not only for those who desire a career in racing, but in any male dominated area?"

"Not really. I'm doing this for myself, not others. The word role model is often misinterpreted. I don't want to be put on a pedestal. I'm only human; I'll make mistakes. And what if I fail spectacularly? I don't want to be responsible for dashing someone's dream."

So much for my plan to just agree with the questions asked.

In the back room Daniel turns to me and exclaims, "You're married?!"

"No. There are no legal documents."

"But unofficially?"

"Kind of."

"Congrats."

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