Her || Charles Leclerc

Intro

As Matilde Jørgensen arrived at the track of Bahrain, the excitement in the air was palpable. It was the first race of the year, the season's opening, and now, Matilde was about to experience it from a whole new perspective.

She had just arrived at the track, holding her pass in front of the scanner. It made the familiar sound, and she entered the paddock. People were waiting for her, eager to capture the first glances of the woman entrusted with leading one of the most illustrious teams in Formula 1 history. Cameras were held up, and photos were taken. A casual smile curved on her lips, and she passed everyone, making her way to the Ferrari hospitality. She tightened her grip on the handles of her purse; she couldn't help but feel a rush of nerves. The weight of her new role, the team's expectations, and the media's scrutiny all bore down on her shoulders. Her heart raced as she took a deep breath, determined to face the challenges head-on. Never had she felt more nervous to enter the track than today. It was the first time she had appeared in the red outfit.

As she was told, the first stop was at the press conference. As she stepped inside the room, she was surrounded by a sea of journalists, cameras and microphones. Matilde looked at the couch, already seeing Toto Wolff and Christian Horner waiting for her. Swallowing her anxiety, she walked towards the couch and sat between her old boss and opponent.

As the press conference began, all eyes were focused on the woman in the middle. The barrage of questions began, and while Matilde had always been a composed strategist in the confines of the team's strategy room, facing the press was an entirely different ballgame.

"Matilde Jørgensen! How does it feel to be leading Ferrari, one of the most iconic teams in Formula 1 history?" Reporter 1 asked.

Matilde took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves before she responded. "It's an incredible honour to be a part of this legendary team, and I'm truly excited about the opportunity to work with such talented individuals. But, of course, it's also nerve-wracking; the expectations are high, and I want to deliver the best results for Ferrari."

"What can we expect from you as Team Principal? How do you plan to lead Ferrari to success?" Reporter 2 asked.

Matilde's eyes sparkled with determination as she answered. "My focus will be on fostering a collaborative and innovative environment within the team. I firmly believe that success comes from teamwork and open communication. We'll work hard to improve our strategies and maximise the potential of our drivers and cars."

As the questions continued, Matilde felt the weight of the responsibility she now carried. The legacy of Ferrari's racing history rested on her shoulders, and she knew that the spotlight would be on her every move.

"But some critics question whether you have enough experience for such a role. How do you respond to that?"

She felt a pang of insecurity, but she knew she had to address this head-on. "I understand the doubts, but I've been in motorsport for years, and I believe in my abilities. I have seen how Christian leads Red Bull, and I have already learned a lot from him. I obviously will approach leading the team differently and in my own way. My focus is on bringing Ferrari back to the top, and I have the support of a fantastic team behind me."

"How do you plan to handle the pressure, especially in a fiercely competitive sport like Formula 1?"

A hint of a smile crossed her face as she replied. "Pressure is a part of this sport, and I welcome the challenge. I have the utmost confidence in our team's abilities, and we're all driven by the same goal—to win. We'll take each race as it comes, learn from our experiences, and keep pushing forward."

This was an important moment for her and the team. She understood the importance of this moment and the need to establish her presence as the new leader of Scuderia Ferrari. Gathering her composure, Matilde responded to each question with grace, displaying her extensive knowledge of the sport and her vision for the team's future. The press conference continued for some time, with Matilde eloquently addressing each question thrown her way. Her excitement and passion for the sport were evident, but beneath it all, she couldn't entirely shake off a layer of nervousness. It was weird to be at the conference, to hear answers from Christian and Toto. Usually, she would hear it in the briefing. The transition from strategist to team principal was a significant one, and she knew it would come with its own set of challenges. It was also weird that she wasn't an employee of Christian anymore, she was now his opponent. Or, well, he was her opponent.

As the last question was about to be asked, Matilde felt a wave of relief wash over her. She listened carefully to the journalist. "Why did you choose Ferrari?"

"I like a challenge," was her answer, and she smiled. She had made it through her first media interaction as Scuderia Ferrari's team principal. She knew this was just the beginning of a challenging and rewarding journey.

After the press conference, as the journalists dispersed, Toto Wolff and Christian Horner exited the conference room. Toto, the Mercedes team principal, walked away to attend to his team's preparations for the race. Christian lingered for a moment, giving Matilde a warm smile and a nod of approval when she followed him back to the paddock.

Christian smiled, "Well done, Matilde. You handled that like a true team principal."

Matilde blushed slightly at the compliment. "Thank you, Christian."

"You've always been a top strategist, Matilde. I have no doubt you'll excel as the team principal at Ferrari. It's a big step, but I have faith in you."

Matilde's nervousness began to ebb away, replaced by a sense of camaraderie with her former boss. The years spent working side by side at Red Bull Racing had forged a special bond between them, and now, they found themselves on opposite sides of the competitive spectrum.

"I must admit, Matilde, I am still perplexed by the fact that you made the move. Are you sure you had enough of a challenge at Red Bull?" Christian asked.

She laughed and nodded. "Yes, more than a challenge, but I was curious to see how it would go at Ferrari. It is a historic team, and as you said before, something has to change."

"I hope they won't make it too difficult for you."

A chuckle left her mouth. "Me neither."

"But it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I wish you all the best. And if you want to come back, I am just one phone call away," he playfully said and stepped away.

"Don't worry, we will fight on the track," she replied with a playful glint in her eyes.

Christian laughed, "Oh, I do not doubt that. But Red Bull won't back down easily!" With a final grin on his face, Christian headed off to join his team, leaving Matilde standing there, the nerves now replaced with a newfound sense of purpose and excitement.

As the day went on, Matilde could feel the energy of the team building around her. The drivers, engineers, and mechanics all looked to her for guidance, and she was ready to lead them with the same passion and dedication she had displayed in the press conference.

This was just the beginning of her journey as team principal, and she knew there would be ups and downs along the way. But as she looked out at the Bahrain circuit, she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and excitement.

This was Matilde Jørgensen, Scuderia Ferrari's newly appointed team principal, about to face one of the most nerve-wracking challenges of her life.