These precautions even apply to the drivers. Standing right next to me is my trainer who is holding a black umbrella over my head. Keeping my body at a certain heat is crucial when jumping into a formula one car.
Ever sinceRace For Your Lifedebuted on Netflix, the sport has had an influx of fans all around the world. Girls fawn over drivers like Xavier and even Mr. Donatello. When you look out into the crowd, you notice all the signs with affectionate messages towards us. But I see more signs for Xavier than anyone on else.
Even the girls who genuinely love the sport can’t help but find someone like Xavier Valente attractive. I mean, he is the heartthrob of the sport and is going for his second world championship. His personality, from his humor all the way to his massive grin, has swayed everyone. Just a few years ago, he was at the height of his career. Everyone called him the future of the sport and a potential legend. Until he made the wrong decision by leaving a team that was higher up on the grid.
Most teams on the grid fight for survival. Every season, the new car depends on how good the team is. Most of the time, the new car isn’t as good as the last since the FODA likes to change the rules every year.
Xavier left because he was frustrated that he was being overshadowed by his teammate which resulted in a fractured ego. After a few years on the grid, he kept staying at teams that weren’t delivering good cars.
When he finally got the contract with Elektra, little did he know that they would return him to his wonder years. He deserved it. By staying in the sport after years of people telling him he would never go back to what he was. He is the current reigning world champion, and he might even obtain that title again this year. At thirty years old, Xavier Valente is one of the most well-known drivers in the sport, and for good reason.
For me to be a world champion as a woman during my rookie season is practically impossible. But that isn’t my goal this year. I want to win the Constructors’ again for the team, and at the very least be in the top three of the Drivers’ championship.
All in all, I’ll be happy, but next year, I’m coming for blood.
Hopefully with Elektra, but that all depends on Satan being the team principal, which can affect what’s to come for my career. That’s daunting in itself.
Directing my mini handheld fan on my face, I wait for the go ahead.
Finally getting the signal, I put my earpieces in and my helmet on. Jumping into the boiling car. It’s not like I’m not used to this type of temperature, but this amount of warmth only comes when you’re in the first laps of the race, meaning the heat will intensify with time.
Due to the physical exertion that the cars take out of the driver because of the warmth and pressure experienced while driving, a driver can lose up to three kilos every race.
Hearing the formation lap go ahead, I press the throttle and start accelerating. I’m going at a moderate speed catching up to Aoki ahead of me.
Once I make the full lap around, I get into position, making sure I’m in between the lines. If I were to go ahead of the line in front of me a little bit, I would get a penalty. If I stay behind the line by an inch, I might not get a good enough start for momentum.
Sitting there while the suspense starts building up, I see the five lights in front of me. Breathing in, I see the first light turn red.
You can do this, Ale. Let the adrenaline run through you.
The second red light flashes.
Overtaking Aoki is easy.
The third light flashes.
All you have to do is focus.
The fourth light flashes.
You’re a badass.
The final light flashes.
Breathe.
I can feel the rush. It’s like something is seeping out of my skin. I’m internally shaking.
Then, all the lights go out.
I press the throttle and see that Aoki is ahead of me. In my ear my engineer is warning me that Amir is behind me and that he already passed James. He’s heading straight at my car, aiming for my position.
Not today, buddy.
I hit the throttle, speeding ahead of Amir by an inch, solidifying my position. Focusing on Aoki, I press the highest speed possible and get to the side of his car.
We’re wheel to wheel. He accelerates more and I catch up. I think he’s forgotten that I’m in a faster car and I’ll do anything to get past him.