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19

Arriving in Imola, late last night we were instructed to head straight to the hotel as tomorrow is going to be a long day, as it is media day. As per usual me and Lando are sharing a room because that is what we have done since we started racing internationally. 

Today is media day and the day I do my interview with Netflix, but press conferences are boring and that is taking place after my Netflix meeting. My PR Kevin quit, so my new PR is Sam, who has to keep me in check and make sure I don't do anything wrong at all. The good thing is that I'm partnered with Nicky from Williams. 

Walking into hospitality to head up to my driver's room, but just as I'm about to head upstairs I hear my name being called. 

"Jasmine, come on we need to head over to Netflix for your interview," the voice of my PR manager said. 

I sigh and practically drop my shoulder, drop my rucksack and look up at Lando who is standing a few steps up at me and then I turn around.

"For the final time Sam, I don't like being called Jasmine, I prefer being called Jas. I only get called Jasmine if I'm in trouble and I'm clearly not in any sort of trouble. Now I'm going to go to my driver's room to get ready for my Netflix interview" I answered with Sam nodding in response. I turned around, picked my bag up off of the stairs and started to head up to my driver's room.

"babe, you alright?" Lando asked his girlfriend.

"Yeah, I'm good, just tired. Didn't get much sleep once we got to the hotel" I replied. 

Once we got to the top of the stair, Lando pulled me into a hug and placed a kiss on the top of my head.

"You'll be fine. Netflix is going to love you" my boyfriend told me. 

"I'm sure they will because the camera loves me," I said whilst laughing

Lando let out a laugh before giving me a hug and then we parted ways to head into our driver rooms to get ready for media day, one of the longest days during the race weekend. Heading into my room, I place my bag down on the table and open it up to grab my team top out to put on. I grab my hairbrush to brush my hair to get any knots out before doing two dutch braids. Once my hair was done, I grab my water bottle and head back downstairs to meet Sam, so we can head off to my Netflix interview. As I was coming down the stairs, I could see Sam waiting for me. 

"You ready to go?" he asked and I nodded in response and we left the hospitality unit to go over to the building next to where the press conference is being held. 

Walking over to the building and feeling the Italian breeze gently hitting me in the face, is making me feel less nervous about doing the interview. The walk over to the building is about 3 minutes which isn't too bad. But once me and my PR arrived, we were guided in by two people, the director of Drive to Survive and a lady who was going to be asking me. Just then the director starts speaking. 

"Hi there my name is Martin and I'm the director for Drive To Survive. And you must be Jasmine. It's a pleasure meet you" the director said 

"Pleasure to meet you, please call me Jas. If people say, Jasmine, it sounds like I'm in trouble" I replied with a little laugh. 

"This is Mandy, who will be asking you the questions in this interview today," Martin said

"Lovely to meet you, Mandy," I said 

"Pleasure to meet you to Jas" she answered 

Mandy guided me to my seat and I had make up come over to me to do some light touches but nothing too heavy. They just wanted me to look good for the camera.  A few minutes later it was given one of them boards they use on movie sets when they call action, and the cameras were now rolling. 

"Have we started?" I asked 

Mandy nodded and I let out a little giggle. I pick up the board from my lap and open the little flap and then close it, hearing it click against the wood of the board. 

"Hi my name is Jas Foden and I'm a driver for McLaren Formula One team" I stated to the camera with a smile

"How long have you been a part of the McLaren team?" Mandy asked 

"I joined McLaren in 2017, as part of the junior driver programme but the last couple of years, I have been the team's test and reserve driver but now I'm a part of the big team" was my answer

"Is it true that you are not just a Formula One Driver?" was the next question I was asked 

"The other sport I'm involved in is football and have been from a young age like I have been with motorsport, I play for Manchester City and Chelsea. But recently I've spent more time with Chelsea than I have with Man City but the next time I head up north, I'm going to go and do some training with them" I answered 

A few more in-depth questions were asked about my career so far, me winning the F2 championship last season and also my confidence in the sport and what it's like to be the only female on the grid.

"Final question," Mandy said 

"What's the most enjoyable part of being in Formula One?" she asked 

"Being a part of Formula One, I love the feeling of the adrenaline, the speed of the car going around each turn, it just gives me much enjoyment and happiness because I'm living my dream by driving for a team that I have loved from a very young age"  was my answer 

The cameras stopped rolling and I was free to go. Bit it was now time for me to head off to the press conference. I was lucky to be paired up with Nicky, because I've spoken to him on a number of occasions and we've had some great chats, especially about our love for Nutella.

Walking up onto the stage with my mask on and give Nicky a thumbs up, just as I sit down and face the crowd of reporters. As the questions are asked they start off with the easy one such as, how did you find the first race? Is there anything you could improve on? You get the idea of it. The more questions were aimed at me than Nicky.

"Question for Jas is, what is it like being the only female on the Formula One grid?" a reporter asked.

"I love being the only female on the formula one grid. I encourage more girls to get into the sport even though it is a male-dominated sport. I have to admit there are tough moments being a female in this sport but I deal with all the snidey comments that get made but yeah, I'm proud to be a female on the F1 grid and I wouldn't change it for the world" I replied 

"Another question for Jas is, what is it like to get hate about the two sports you are in?" another reporter questioned 

"I don't really think this is an appropriate question but I'm going to be polite and answer it anyways. Getting hate for being in two male-dominated sports, can be hard to deal with because they say, you cant ore a goal or that I can't score points in a race and that I don't deserve my place on the team because I'm no use to them. It breaks my heart to read these comments, for my friends, family and teammate to have to read something horrible about someone they are close to. I got bullied at school for wanting to play football and for karting and being told they are only for boys. But I told them I was going to prove them wrong and I have because I am where I want to be. No one should deal with hate about something they love doing" I replied

"Nicky, a question for you. What do you think of Jas as a driver?" one reporter asked 

"Is this really an appropriate question to be asking. I have raced with Jas when I was in Formula 2 and she is outstanding and she is extremely talented as well. With the last race weekend being her first official race in Formula One, Jas managed to score points which is truly amazing and she is proud of that achievement" the Canadian answered. 

The conference ended and I head back over to hospitality to get something to eat because I was absolutely starving hungry. I couldn't just have anything for lunch, it had to be a super healthy one from my meal plan that Jon made me. But as I'm eating my lunch, I am joined by my amazing boyfriend who gave me a hug because we have decided not to expose our relationship to the public yet but we have agreed when the moment is right, we will tell our fans.