All the Way - an F1 story

49

18 November , 2021
📍Doha, Qatar

Calina let her head fall to rest on her hands, hoping that staring more intensely at her iPad would help her not get distracted by the seemingly never ending yawning beside her.

"You know if you were so tired, I could've driven."

Lella glanced over at the driver briefly, before returning her gaze to the vast road ahead of her. All around them, the vast desert of Qatar stretched out around them as they travelled further out of the city. Nina spent most of the drive looking at her notes from hours of practice in the simulator, looking for something that could calm her down.

"No, I'm fine, Calì. I was just up a little earlier today, that's all," Lella replied, rubbing her eyes briefly. Calina shrugged, sliding the iPad into her bag, seeing as it was no use, and they were not far from the track. It was a bit shocking, seeing as Lella was normally an early riser, but earlier than normal was a bit concerning.

"Well, what's the plan for today?" Calina asked, slipping her sunglasses onto her face. The sun was bright, too bright, even on an early November morning.

"Well, you have your media duties, I just have to set up my things in your room, and then I was thinking of heading out once I'm done. I'm just really not feeling good today."

Calina nodded in understanding, watching as they passed under the exit sign for the circuit.

"I can get a ride with Gigi later. I promised to stay and help them out. If you can't this weekend, I can manage on my own. I can do my warmup on my own, or I'll see if Mari can help, or someone. I'd rather you rest if you need to."

"Calì, I'm fine. You don't need to be worrying so much, okay? It'll pass."

They were relatively early to arrive, since Lella always liked to be early, yet Calina could see that many team members, of both Pagani and the others, were already arriving. The Losail International Circuit was a new track for everyone, and Calina could only assume her team wasn't the only one that wanted to gather as much information as they could before the race.

Along with her own backpack, Calina grabbed Lella's duffle bag that was in the back of the car.

"Calina, I can bring it," her trainer protested.

"Lella, no." Calina meant it in a joking matter, but she was also serious. The older woman rolled her eyes, but obliged nonetheless, and led Calina into the paddock.

Media day was also busy, and seeing they were at a new track, on top of the buzz surrounding the World Cup that would be hosted in Qatar the following year, Calina just knew that this media day would be even longer than usual.

"Cal!" The voice came from the Mercedes hospitality, and when she turned, Calina saw Susie Wolff waving her down. Calina had known Susie for a while, the former driver being longtime friends with her uncle from their DTM days. Susie would often visit Bastien and Ivelle when Calina would spend some weekends at his house in Lecco, Toto even accompanying her on some occasions.

"Go," Lella said, reaching out for the bag Calina held.

"You're not holding this." Calina spotted Tobias, who was just walking into the paddock with a few of the other Pagani mechanics. He jogged over when he saw the driver waving at him. "Toby, can you take this for Lella? She's not feeling well."

"Sure thing, Cal." Calina smiled in amusement as her trainer shook her head, before following the mechanic down the paddock.

Susie was sitting at a table in front of the building, a delicious-looking breakfast spread out on the plate she was eating from. She was dressed impeccably, as always, in just a simple white button-up and blue jeans. She had her laptop out, likely working on some items for her Formula E team.