Love and Rivalry {Female F1 driver}

The first race

"Race day, let's go!" Max yelled out as soon as I entered the paddock. It was finally Sunday, and it was time for the real debut! I had finished P16 in the qualifying, despite having done pretty well in the free practices. It was a shame, cause I had a lot of work, in order to get up to the front of the grid, but I was determined to keep my head high and enjoy my debut whatsoever. 

"You ready, newbie?" Max questioned as I had made my way around greeting everyone. "Ready as I will ever be," I said, but I bet the disappointment from yesterday's quali still showed on my face. "You want to win?" He then asked, raising an eyebrow. "You know that's unrealistic-" I rolled my eyes, but he protested. "Do you want to win?" he asked, emphasising the word want.

"Yes, I want to win." I just said, looking him dead in the eye as he did the same. "Then you need to believe that you can. Fuck what everyone thinks or says, it's all up here," He said pointing to my head, referring to my mind. "If you don't believe that you're a winner, you won't win. If you do believe you're a winner, you probably still won't win, but I can promise you you'll be a whole lot closer to it," He said and I smiled. He was right, I needed that winner mentality back. 

"I will win," I said, earning a smile from him, "No, I will win, but I'm glad you get the idea," He joked and winked at me, so I couldn't help but laugh. I then went to get in my suit so I was ready for everything. 

I was starting from the back of the grid, so I had to be quick and make my way up within the first few laps, or else I would never catch up. The lights went out, and it was go time. I was completely in the zone, ready to take on everyone, and within the first lap alone, I had made it past 6 drivers already. After a few more laps, I had a stable position in P8, right behind Oscar and Carlos, who were fighting for P6. 

I knew with both of them there, I couldn't just make it past, but knowing the circuit, I could wait them out half a lap, and then, when approaching turn 3 after turn 2, they would be too occupied with each other, that I could hopefully make my way past. I did exactly that, and before I knew it, I was in P6, catching up on the gap to the next group.

"How are the tires, Carter?" I heard it over the radio. "No problems so far, what's the status with the cars in front? Anyone losing speed?" I asked, hoping that some of them had to box soon, so I could regain even more time. "I think Charles, Lewis and Lando will need to box soon." He said, and I could tell that Lewis and Lando were right ahead, along with George. Charles was probably further ahead, along with Max. "Thank you. When they box, I'll box." I said.

Out pits were usually way faster than them, so if I could get in there at around the same time as them, maybe I could get back on the track ahead, and make it in front. "No need to box yet, no." They replied and I groaned. "Fine." I just said and kept focusing on the guys in front.

Lewis was beginning to lose more and more speed, as Lando and George were in front. I decided to take my chance, so I sped up doing a straight road and took over Lewis in P5. "How fast is George?" I asked, seeing as he was seeming to win the inside race he and Lando were having. "Lewis is right behind you with DRS." 

"HOW FAST IS GEORGE?" I tried again, "Oh, sorry. He's fast,-" I stopped listening in mid-sentence, as Lando and George made small contact, before a gap was created between them, Lando now taking the lead. I was now head to head with George, but I could tell he was getting impatient, so I kept it calm, letting him have a slight lead before I overtook him on the inside in turn 10. 

"LET'S GO!" I yelled out in excitement, as I made it to P4. "Box, yn, box." I heard, and I accepted on the steering wheel. "Did the other's box yet?" I asked after getting back on the track again after my pitstop. "Yes, George and Lewis are still behind, they lost time in box. Lando boxed, seems pretty quick, Charles boxed, lost a few seconds and now head-to-head with Lando." I smiled to myself. I couldn't help but get my hopes up for a podium. I was this close, I only needed to take on one more.