I watched people I loved die right in front of me. I have fought every single day of my life to get where I am right now, and if he thinks he can break that all down with a simple low-ball number.
Fuck that.
“1.2 million euros,” I scoff.
In any other situation, this would be a Godsend to some, but to an F1 driver who has more than enough potential, it’s an insult.
“It’s more than enough for a rookie driver. I’d remember that if I were you.” He’s trying to put me in my place. I roll my eyes to the back of my head and let out a strangled breath.
“That’s where you are wrong. Xavier Valente was offered 5.5 million euros his rookie season with an extended two-year clause. Then you upped his salary to 70 million euros in his new five-year contract. My stats are just as good, if not better than when he entered the F1 calendar.”
“Is that the way you think you can talk to the man who has your future in his hands? Your future boss? One thing I’ll tell you, Miss Castillo, is that I will never let you disrespect me. You can speak freely, but don’t question my intelligence.”
“Then don’t question mine!” I shout, furthering my statement. “Elektra Motorsports was first in the Constructors’ last year, and you have the current World Champion under your contract. But the one thing that Elektra doesn’t have is a solid second driver. They chose for the past by enlisting Luke Davis to take the empty spot. Whether any older driver wants to admit it or not, we all burn out. But we all have our glory years and the fact that you can’t even admit the potential that, I as a driver, will be able to give you is an insult to my intelligence. So, here’s how this will go. I will be able to benefit you in more ways than one, and you will be able to benefit me in others. But the thing that needs to be clear here is that this is an equal exchange. I have been at the top of F2 for the three years that I have been competing. Even though you need a second driver, I can assure you that I will most definitely become your first. I am the future, and you cannot deny that.”
I shove myself into my chair and glare at him. He scoffs, and finally speaks after what seems like hours of silence.
“I will up your contract to two million euros, which is eight hundred thousand euros more. That is as high as I will go.”
“We both know that this isn’t just about the money, Mr. Donatello. I could do without all of it, and I would be perfectly fine. This is about proving myself as a driver in F1 and at Elektra. 5.5 million and we’re getting somewhere,” I fire back.
He lets out a long deep breath.
“Okay, deal. But I’m changing your contract to a season-by-season basis. If you don’t deliver what you have assured me, we will question your contract and place at Elektra. Am I clear?
“Crystal,” I bite back.
I don’t think I’ve ever disliked anyone more than this man before in my life. Well, that isn’t completely true. But all I know is that this is going to be an eventful season, not only for me but for Mr. Donatello.
Waiting for Anastasia to finish editing the contract and fix the clauses we have just negotiated, me and Mr. Donatello’s heated gaze goes on until we hear the printer make a beeping noise, signifying that the contract is almost ready to sign.
Anastasia reaches for the papers and staples them together, doing a final flip through to make sure there are no errors. Handing the contract over to Mr. Donatello, she quickly looks over at me with a proud expression.
Yanking his pen off the table, he signs on the dotted line, then shoves the papers towards me.
With a steady breath, I take my pen and sign. I grab the corner of the last page and flip it over to the front and drop it in front of him. Extending my hand to shake his, he takes it with a firm grip.
“Congratulations, Miss Castillo. I hope what you just agreed to will be everything you’re hoping for.” He smirks again with that narcissistic expression. Have I mentioned how much I hate it?
He walks away abruptly, striding to the door across the living room and down the hall. I know he’s left when the door slams shut. Looking out at the Mexico City skyline, I smirk at the thought of the havoc I’m about to wreak on not only F1, but also on Mr. Donatello’s life.
The game has only just begun.
ChapterSeven
Maria Alejandra
The sound of tools dropping onto the floor, and the smell of fuel sends me into an all-time high. After announcing my entrance into Elektra Motorsports at a press conference on Friday night, everything has gone full speed. The press conference was eventful: hundreds of reporters lined up for the special announcement of my entrance as second driver to the current reigning world champion. Thousands of cameras stream live on almost every sports channel known to man. Tons of F1 influencers and commentators go live on their Instagrams while Elektra’s social media and PR team film every second to catch each reaction.
Whether the press’s reaction was good or bad, it’s still good content. As the first female Latinx driver to hit the sport, I’m out of the norm when it comes to appearances in F1. Which is why they use every single video or picture they can get.
After the news was announced, everyone went into a frenzy, or should I say, Twitter did. Millions of Facebook F1 groups riot over a female being in F1. Old white men with crippling dicks express their “rage” while others support and even encourage my entrance.
All over SKY Sports, the commentators praise the new change and even congratulate Elektra for taking the plunge. It’s been a good but stressful week, and I’m grateful for everything that has happened.
Walking through the garage, I make my way to the corporate offices at Elektra HQ. The large, black reflective building stands in the middle of a busy street just blocks away from La Reforma. Since the company that funds the Elektra F1 Team is known as a banking empire, the levels that don’t have anything to do with administration are on the first five floors. When you enter the building, the sleek black marble interior catches the eye and would even make peoples’ jaw drop.
Elektra has been in the game for ten years. In a sport that has been alive for seventy-two this makes them relatively new. I still remember when they took over an old team that was burning out.