#shes driven One or Two f1 races so far

[helcef]

helo. new gal on the paddock.. no one saw this coming but shes been in progress since february

not much lore rn but feel free to ask abt her

[landossnorriss]

a soulmate equation || ln x she.

Pairing: lando x she. Summary: soulmates are a rare thing these days. it was better that way, everyone said, given that you shared a link to your soulmate that manifested in scary ways, feeling their adrenaline, feeling when they were hurt. even if you never met your soulmate you might pay the price of being connected to them. given lando never had any feelings himself he never thought he had a soul mate till the little cut appeared in his palm. Word Count: 1.9k ( one shot. ) Warning: small mentions of injuries and intentional cutting of the palm but with a purpose! mainly just pure fluff and happiness.

the adrenaline rushes started as far back as she could remember. her parents had thought that she was sick at first, the way her heart would race so much she sometimes felt like she was doing to pass out. they had taken her to several different doctors before one had been brave enough to bring up the soulmate connection to them. her parents were not soulmates themselves, they only knew of one other pair and so they were quick to dismiss it.

other small injuries cropped up every now and then, ones that could never be explained given she was often in class or tucked into bed when they occurred. again, the doctors gave her a clean bill of health and just as the injuries came, they went again, leaving her and her parents puzzled.

as she grew up, the feeling of that high that came when her adrenaline spiked were just a part of her normal day. where her parents were sceptical, she had long since accepted there was a connection out there too someone, but given the way he left her feeling when she had no idea who he was? she had no interest in seeking him out. he was an adrenaline junkie at best, maybe even a low life and she simply prayed he didn't seriously hurt the both of them one day.

the big hit of 2021 had been her biggest worry for a while, she had been unable to climb from her bed she had been so sore following that one and she had spent the day googling accidents despite herself, wondering if that might highlight who the hell had thrown himself into the road with how she felt.

a set of bruised ribs worried her friends so much she was forced to tell them the truth, an unwise choice on her part given the witch hunt her best friend started at the news. soulmates didn't happen all that often anymore, there were only two others everyone knew of in their whole year and that made her special. that's what they all said anyway. in reality she just wanted to be left alone, she didn't want to know about the man, she worried about him enough as it was.

november 2023. that was when her best friend decided that she'd found the answer. they'd taken her to hospital this one was so bad, there was no cause of the injuries she suffered, she had been at the movies with her friends when she had suddenly cried out in pain pulling all the attention onto her self. stupid really, she should have known to move herself from the crowd, she'd felt her adrenaline spike moments before.

but it was the doctors comment that had set her bestfriend off. "if i didn't know better, i'd say you'd driven into a wall at 200 miles an hour." given her best friend was a fan of all things that went fast, it had narrowed her into a focus area she couldn't shake. she had tried to deny it, she didn't want it to be true but there had been a flicker of something in her chest as her friend had linked the timing of her favourite f1 driver to when she had felt the impact roll through her.

still, she did her best to play it down, to brush everything off as a coincidence because she wasn't even sure she wanted the pressure of having a soulmate, let alone that soulmate being a famous fucking f1 driver. she wasn't cut out for that.

then the cut across her nose came and any hope she might have had of convincing her friend that she wasn't the soulmate of lando had gone out of the window. the little scar across his nose was cute, hers was cuter across her small button nose and the fact couldn't be denied anymore. what she didn't know how to do, was approach him about it. it wasn't like she could just walk up to him, she hadn't ever really been hurt or put herself in situations her heart rate would have spiked enough for him to know about her, he could hate the thought.

it wasn't a risk she was willing to take without certain proof and her friends crazy plan was just sure enough that she agreed to it. they waited until summer break, she wasn't about to risk his hands when he had a race, but on the first week of summer break, sat across from her best friend she squealed as she held out her palm to the other. was inflicting herself with a small cut insane? probably. but there had been a time the very idea of soulmates had been beyond belief to her and now here she was. the cut they applied was small but deep, enough that it would likely leave a scar and she would be forced to dress it. silently she sent a small, sorry lando, out into the universe and she hoped he wasn't in the middle of something too important as she looked down at her hand that was now bleeding.

a few days later, as she scrolled through her Instagram, totally not looking for any answers, she found them loud and clear. lando had updated a story and his left palm was wrapped in an identical fashion to her own. holy shit, her soulmate was lando norris.

lando himself had been in the middle of dinner with the quadrant team when the blood had started pouring from his hand. it had taken him several moments to convince his friends that he wasn't so clumsy he had managed to randomly cut his hands whilst he was enjoying a glass of wine. soon enough max had been wrapping his hand when someone had joked about a soulmate. lando's eyes narrowed at the thought. not once in twenty four years had he ever thought it was possible. he'd not felt a thing, not once.

that wasn't uncommon, most people never did but those with soulmates tended to figure it out early on so it had never bothered him much but as he watched the final wrap be applied to his palm, for the first time he couldn't help but wonder.

he put the thought of out his mind, not daring to think he could be so lucky, until the moment weeks later when he saw her in line for the fan meet and greet. she was beautiful, that was his first thought. what would he do if a girl like her, turned out to be his soulmate. he'd shook the thought away as she stepped closer, laughing to himself as he met her nervous gaze.

on her part, the thought of doing this at a fan meet and greet was her very idea of hell, but she hadn't seen another way. even if her bank account was currently crying thanks to how much she had paid for this. in her hand, was a carefully constructed time line and matching trips to the hospital to match. photos of her random injuries with post it notes to confirm that none of them had been the cause. on the underside of her last thumb just a small band aid was all that was left covering her hand as she nervously chewed at her lip. "hello." she could do this, she could hand him the file in her hand.

sensing her nerves lando reached out a hand. "hey, what do you have for me?" his voice was warm, smile genuine as he looked back at her. she wasn't sure what she had been expecting when she met him, she had spent an embarrassing amount of time online looking into the man stood before her. some adored him, some thought he was a brat and childish, others had been underwhelmed. right now he just seemed, normal and well, kind.

clearing her throat she finally handed him the file. "i um, i figured this might be the only way that you believe me, but i um - " she paused looking at his hand where his injury matched hers. "i gave you that." bracing herself for impact she waited as landos green eyes flicked through the pages, muttering to himself as he did so.

"ribs...belgium, vegas...." the time line matched each and everyone of her records, right down to the photo, well selfie of her and another woman with a knife and a fresh cut in her palm. the cut he had. lifting his head he let his eyes meet hers, a tender gaze dropping for just a moment to the matching wound she wore, back up to her nose where sure enough he was met with a mirror image of his scar. "its you."

meekly smiling back at him she found herself nodding and for some odd reason, tears appeared at the edge of her eyes. years of doubting and he was right here, he didn't even look like he wanted to run away. "surprise?" her laugh was dorky and more like a snort as a tear escaped. "god you believe me, sorry i thought that you were going to think i was insane. no one teaches you how to do this."

in true lando fashion, the first feeling that overwhelmed him was guilt, he'd been accidentally hurting her all these years. "i never...you never...you're okay right?" he mused as he flicked his eyes over the paperwork and then her again.

"i'm ok, you sort of delivered enough adrenaline for the both of us." she joked softly. "at least i know why you feel that rush every weekend." it was insane, but having watched as many races as she now had, pairing it to that feeling in her chest each time she had felt it. she was the only person in the world that knew exactly what he felt when he raced. it was uniquely beautiful and equally mind blowing.

hearing a cough behind them lando turned for a moment. "jon can you come here for a second." the driver had fans to get to and promises to keep but he didn't want her to vanish. "this is um...my soulmate. will you take her back for me?" he quizzed his manager quietly who watched her warily, not that she could blame him. "she has proof of everything." lando assured the male who nodded, turning to her with a smile. "come on then."

stepping out of the queue she moved with jon, not daring to steal another look back at lando until she heard him call for her to wait. "you ok lando?" jon asked, unsure of how he'd ended up with a soulmate equation to deal with when he'd picked his driver.

"yea i just...you're gonna stay right? i have no many questions and things i want to check and god promises to make like i'll be more careful, more gentle with you...with us." it had been one thing to risk his own life every single time he climbed into that car, but now that he knew there was her too? god it was going to make everything so much harder.

"i'll be here lando...don't worry, i think, well i sort of think we have forever to figure it out." she offered in a warm smile before she turned to vanish with jon again.

watching her leave, lando found himself smiling like a dork, even as she vanished from sight. forever. well shit he could get used to that.

[wonyowonyo]

Racing Hearts (K. Minjeong X M! Reader)

Erm... Another update I guess. 3.6k words. This one was fun to make, hope yall enjoy it!

The deafening roar of the engines filled the air as the sun blazed down on the Circuit de Monaco. The atmosphere was electric, the anticipation palpable. It was the race everyone had been waiting for – the Monaco Grand Prix. In the heart of the action were two fierce rivals: Kim Minjeong, known to her fans as Winter, the ice-cool driver for McLaren, was known for her precision and unwavering focus. and Y/N, the fearless racer for Oracle Red Bull Racing, was the opposite. Their aggressive and daring maneuvers had earned them a reputation as a wild card on the track.

Winter and Y/N had been at each other's throats since the beginning of the season. Every race was a battle, not just for the podium but for supremacy. Their rivalry was the stuff of legends, fueling media headlines and fan debates. But beneath the surface of competition and animosity, there was something neither of them dared to acknowledge.

------------------------------------------------------------

Winter tightened her grip on the steering wheel, her eyes focused on the track ahead. She suddenly remembered her little interaction with Y/n earlier.  

"Winter," Y/N said, catching her in the paddock before the race. "Ready to lose?"

Winter looked up, her expression unreadable. "We'll see who crosses the finish line first, Y/N."

Y/N smirked. "I've got a good feeling about today."

Winter's eyes narrowed. "Just try to keep up."

Recalling back the earlier banter, adrenaline coursed through her veins, the familiar rush that came with every race. But today was different. Today, she had to beat Y/N.

She glanced in her rearview mirror and saw the familiar Red Bull car, driven by none other than Y/N. Their rivalry had become the centerpiece of the F1 season, a story of two incredible talents pushing each other to the limit.

"Stay focused, Winter," her race engineer's voice crackled through her earpiece. "You've got this."

Winter took a deep breath and nodded, even though she knew he couldn't see her. She knew she was good, but so was Y/N. And that made every race a thrilling challenge.

Meanwhile, Y/N was equally determined. The Red Bull driver had a reputation for being relentless, always pushing the car – and himself – to the edge. But Winter was his match in every way, and that drove him even harder.

As the lights went out and the race began, the two rivals shot off the starting grid, their cars neck and neck. The crowd roared as they battled for position, each driver refusing to give an inch.

Y/N got a good start, but Winter was right beside them, refusing to give an inch. They barreled down the straight, neck and neck, neither willing to back down.

As they approached the first turn, Y/N saw an opportunity. They braked late, sliding past Winter with inches to spare. The crowd roared, but Winter was unfazed. She knew the race was far from over.

------------------------------------------------------------

Mini Flashback

The rivalry between Winter and Y/N wasn't confined to the track. Off-track, their animosity often boiled over, creating tension-filled moments that kept the media and fans buzzing.

One such incident occurred at a pre-season press conference in Melbourne. Winter had made a pointed comment about Red Bull's reliability issues, which had plagued them the previous season.

"Let's just hope their engines can keep up this year," she had said with a smirk, her eyes flicking to Y/N.

Y/N's jaw clenched, but he forced a smile. "We'll see about that, Winter. Just make sure you don't spin out trying to keep up."

The room had erupted in murmurs, the tension between the two drivers palpable. The exchange set the tone for the rest of the season, each press conference and media event becoming a battleground.

Another notable incident happened at a sponsor's event in Barcelona. Both drivers were scheduled to appear at a meet-and-greet with fans, but things quickly turned sour. Winter had arrived first, signing autographs and taking photos. When Y/N arrived, the crowd's excitement doubled, leading to a subtle but noticeable shift in attention.

"Looks like they were waiting for the real star," Y/N had said, his voice loud enough for Winter to hear.

Winter had shot him a glare, but before she could respond, a fan asked them to pose for a photo together. The resulting image, with Winter's forced smile and Y/N's smug expression, quickly went viral, becoming a symbol of their heated rivalry.

------------------------------------------------------------

The tight corners and narrow streets of Monaco made overtaking a risky endeavor, but Y/N was known for his daring maneuvers. He saw an opening and went for it, darting past Winter with inches to spare. She grit her teeth, refusing to let him get away.

"Nice move," her race engineer commented. "But stay on him. You can take him to the next corner."

Winter nodded, her eyes narrowing as she focused on Y/N's car ahead. She knew she had to time it perfectly. As they approached the hairpin turn, she saw her chance. With a deft flick of the steering wheel, she dove inside, reclaiming her position.

The two cars were so close that they nearly touched, the crowd gasping as they navigated the turn. It was a dance of precision and nerve, each driver testing the other's limits.

For the next several laps, they traded positions, neither able to maintain a clear lead. It was a battle of skill and strategy, each move countered by an equally brilliant response. The tension was palpable, not just between the drivers, but for everyone watching.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Lap after lap, Y/N and Winter pushed each other to the limit. Their cars weaved through the field, overtaking and defending with breathtaking skill. Every time Y/N thought they had an edge, Winter was right there, matching them move for move.

In the middle of the race, a sudden rainstorm added to the chaos. The track became slippery, and visibility was poor. Y/N's heart pounded in their chest as they fought to keep their car under control. Winter, known for her icy calm, seemed almost unaffected by the conditions.

On lap 45, Y/N saw their chance. Winter had gone wide on a corner, leaving just enough space for Y/N to slip through. They floored the accelerator, feeling the car respond with a surge of power. For a moment, they were ahead.

But Winter wasn't done. She recovered quickly, drafting behind Y/N to gain speed. As they approached the final laps, it was clear this race would come down to the wire.

------------------------------------------------------------

Mini Flashback

The rivalry extended beyond the professional realm, affecting their personal lives as well. At a charity gala in Monaco, Winter and Y/N found themselves seated at the same table. The atmosphere was icy, the polite conversation forced.

"Enjoying the season so far?" Winter asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Y/N smirked. "I could ask you the same. Still struggling with those pit stops?"

Winter's eyes flashed with anger. "Maybe if you spent less time talking and more time driving, you'd understand the importance of teamwork."

Their exchange drew the attention of those around them, but before it could escalate further, the event's host called for a moment of silence. The truce was temporary, the animosity simmering beneath the surface.

------------------------------------------------------------

As the race entered its final stages, both drivers were exhausted but determined. The pit stops had been perfectly timed, the strategies flawless. It all came down to these last few laps.

With three laps to go, the tension was unbearable. Y/N and Winter were side by side, neither willing to give an inch. The rain had stopped, but the track was still wet, making every turn a potential disaster.

On the penultimate lap, Winter made her move. She dove inside on a tight corner, forcing Y/N to the outside. Y/N fought to keep their position, their tires skidding on the wet surface.

"Come on, come on," Y/N muttered under their breath, gripping the steering wheel tightly. They couldn't let Winter win, not after everything they'd been through.

Y/N felt his heart pounding as he closed in on Winter once more. He could see the determination in her eyes, even through the helmet. It was a look he had come to respect, even if he would never admit it.

"You're doing great, Y/N," his race engineer's voice broke through his thoughts. "Just a few more laps. Keep the pressure on."

He nodded, pushing the car to its limits. He knew he had to make his move soon. As they approached the final straight, he saw his chance. He pulled alongside Winter, their cars inches apart as they hurtled towards the finish line.

For a moment, it was as if time stood still. The world narrowed to just the two of them, their rivalry and respect intertwining in that final push. And then, with a surge of power, Y/N inched ahead, crossing the finish line first.

"By a margin of 0.01 seconds, the Y/N of Red Bull Racing came on top to clinch his Monaco Grand Prix Win!"

The crowd erupted in cheers as Y/N took the victory, but the thrill of winning was mixed with something else. As he climbed out of his car, he saw Winter doing the same. She walked over, her helmet under her arm, a look of grudging respect on her face.

"Good race," she said, extending her hand.

Y/N took it, shaking firmly. "You too. You almost had me."

Winter smiled, a real, genuine smile that made Y/N's heart skip a beat. "Next time, I will."

As they stood there, the rivalry seemed to fade, replaced by something new. They had pushed each other to the limit, and in doing so, had forged a bond that neither had expected.

------------------------------------------------------------

The weeks following Monaco were a whirlwind of media appearances, team meetings, and endless travel. But amidst the chaos, Winter and Y/N found themselves crossing paths more often. At first, it was awkward, the remnants of their rivalry still lingering. But slowly, they began to see each other not just as rivals, but as equals.

One evening, after a particularly grueling practice session, they found themselves alone in the paddock. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the track. The evening was unusually cold, and the paddock was quiet as most of the team members had retired to their hotels. Y/N was one of the few still lingering, going over some last-minute data in the Red Bull garage. They were so engrossed in their work that they didn't notice someone else was still around until they heard a faint sound of frustration from the neighbouring McLaren garage.

Curious, Y/N walked over and saw Winter hunched over her laptop, her brows furrowed in concentration. The sight was unusual; Winter was typically calm and composed, but tonight, she looked stressed.

"Winter?" Y/N called softly, not wanting to startle her.

Winter looked up, surprised. "Y/N? What are you still doing here?"

"Could ask you the same thing," Y/N replied with a small smile. "Everything okay?"

Winter sighed, rubbing her temples. "Just some last-minute data analysis. Something's not adding up, and it's driving me crazy."

Y/N hesitated for a moment before stepping closer. "Mind if I take a look? Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes can help."

Winter glanced at Y/N, her expression softening slightly. "Sure, why not."

Y/N pulled up a chair and sat beside Winter, peering at the screen. They spent the next hour going through the data together, discussing potential solutions and sharing insights. What started as a technical problem soon turned into a collaborative effort, with both drivers pooling their knowledge and experience.

As they worked, they found themselves easing into a comfortable rhythm. The initial tension melted away, replaced by a sense of camaraderie that neither had anticipated. They laughed over shared frustrations and celebrated small breakthroughs, the boundaries of their rivalry blurring in the process.

"Got it!" Y/N exclaimed finally, pointing at the screen. "There was a discrepancy in the telemetry data. That should fix it."

Winter's eyes lit up as she checked the results. "You're right! How did I miss that?"

Y/N grinned. "Sometimes it just takes a second opinion."

Winter looked at Y/N, a genuine smile spreading across her face. "Thanks, Y/N. I really appreciate this."

"Anytime," Y/N replied, feeling a warmth in their chest. "We're competitors on the track, but off it, we can still help each other out."

With the data issue resolved, the atmosphere relaxed. Winter leaned back in her chair, looking more at ease than she had all night. "You know, I never expected us to be sitting here like this," she admitted.

"Me neither," Y/N agreed. "But I'm glad we did."

Winter's expression grew thoughtful. "It's funny, isn't it? How racing can bring out the best and worst in us. We push each other to the limit, but moments like this remind me that we're not so different."

Y/N nodded, feeling a connection they hadn't recognized before. "We both want to be the best, but we also understand what it takes to get there. The sacrifice, the determination... it's something only another driver can truly understand."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their shared experiences hanging in the air. Finally, Winter broke the silence. "You know, Y/N, I've always respected you as a driver. But tonight, I feel like I got to know you as a person. And I like what I see."

Y/N felt a surge of warmth. "I feel the same way, Winter. Maybe we can be more than just rivals."

Winter smiled, a genuine, warm smile that reached her eyes. "I'd like that." Winter offered her hand, prompting a handshake, to which Y/N accepted. “Call me Minjeong, if you want.”

They talked for hours, sharing stories of their journeys to F1, their struggles, their dreams. The more they talked, the more they realized how much they had in common. And slowly, the walls they had built around themselves began to crumble.

------------------------------------------------------------

With their newfound understanding, the dynamic between Minjeong and Y/N started to change. They still pushed each other on the track, but off the track, there was a growing camaraderie that neither could ignore.

One weekend, during the break before the Canadian Grand Prix, they found themselves attending a sponsor’s event together. It was a relaxed setting, far removed from the high-stakes atmosphere of the race track. The event was held at a luxurious lakeside resort, complete with water sports and outdoor activities.

Minjeong and Y/N were partnered for a friendly kayaking race, much to their surprise. As they paddled out onto the lake, their competitive spirits flared up, but this time it was accompanied by laughter and playful banter.

"You know you're going down, right?" Minjeong teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"In your dreams, Minjeong," Y/N shot back, his grin infectious.

The race was close, but in the end, they crossed the finish line at the same time, their competitive energy dissolving into shared laughter. As they sat in their kayaks, catching their breath, Y/N looked over at Minjeong, a warm smile on his face.

"This is fun," he said. "We should do this more often."

Minjeong nodded, her own smile matching his. "Yeah, we should."

------------------------------------------------------------

The Canadian Grand Prix was next on the calendar, and the atmosphere was charged with excitement. The track was known for its high speeds and tight corners, promising an intense race.

Minjeong and Y/N were both determined to win, their rivalry reignited on the track. As the race began, they found themselves battling for the lead once again, their cars dancing dangerously close.

The final laps were a blur of adrenaline and strategy. Minjeong had taken the lead, but Y/N was right on her tail. As they approached the final chicane, Y/N saw an opening and took it, his car surging ahead. But Minjeong wasn’t giving up. She pushed her car to the limit, their wheels almost touching as they raced towards the finish line.

In the end, it was Minjeong who crossed the line first, but by the narrowest of margins. The crowd went wild as she celebrated her victory, but her eyes were on Y/n, who was climbing out of his car with a proud smile.

"You were amazing out there," he said, walking over to her.

"You too," she replied, her eyes shining with genuine admiration.

------------------------------------------------------------

After the race, the drivers gathered for the podium ceremony. The tension from the race melted away as they sprayed champagne and celebrated. Later that evening, at the after-party, Y/N found Minjeong sitting alone on a terrace, looking out over the city.

He approached her, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. "Hey."

She turned, her expression softening. "Hey."

They stood in silence for a moment, the city lights twinkling below them. Y/N took a deep breath, his heart pounding.

"Minjeong, there's something I need to tell you," he said, his voice steady despite his nerves.

She looked up at him, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What is it?"

He took a step closer, his heart racing. "I think I've been fighting my feelings for you for a long time. And I can't do it anymore. I like you, Minjeong. More than just a rival, more than just a friend."

Minjeong's breath caught in her throat. She had felt the same way, but had been too afraid to admit it. She took a step closer, her eyes locking with his.

"I like you too, Y/N. I have for a while."

They stood there, the world around them fading away. And then, slowly, Y/N leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a soft, tender kiss. It was a moment of pure magic, the culmination of months of rivalry, respect, and unspoken feelings.

From that moment on, everything changed. Their rivalry was still there, but it was now accompanied by something deeper. They supported each other, pushed each other to be better, and celebrated each other's successes.

The media was in a frenzy, speculating about their relationship, but they didn't care. They had found something special, something worth fighting for. And as the season continued, they faced every challenge together, their bond growing stronger with each race.

Y/N and Minjeong's relationship began to shift. They started spending more time together off the track, sharing meals, discussing their passion for racing, and even seeking each other's advice on various matters. Their bond grew stronger, built on mutual respect and a newfound understanding of each other's struggles and triumphs.

One evening, a few weeks after their late-night data session, Y/N invited Minjeong to join them for a walk along the beach. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the water, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore provided a soothing backdrop to their conversation.

As they walked, Minjeong turned to Y/N, her expression serious. "You know, that night in the paddock changed something for me. I realized that I've been so focused on beating you that I never took the time to appreciate you."

Y/N smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude and affection. "I feel the same way. That night made me see you in a different light. You're not just my rival; you're someone I respect and care about."

Minjeong reached out, taking Y/N's hand in hers. "I'm glad we had that moment. It brought us closer, and I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Y/N squeezed her hand, their heart swelling with emotion. "Me too, Minjeong. Me too."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Y/N and Minjeong stood there, hand in hand, knowing that their relationship had changed forever. They were still competitors on the track, but off it,

they had found something special—a bond that transcended rivalry and blossomed into a deep and meaningful connection.

As the season progressed, Y/N and Minjeong's relationship continued to evolve. They were still fierce competitors on the track, but off it, they were inseparable. Their bond grew stronger with each passing day, built on mutual respect and a deep understanding of the other's passion and drive.

They supported each other through victories and defeats, celebrated each other's successes, and found comfort in each other's presence. The paddock, once a place of tension and rivalry, became a space of shared dreams and growing affection.

------------------------------------------------------------

In the final race of the season, in Abu Dhabi, they found themselves in a familiar position—competing for the championship. But this time, there was a difference. They knew that no matter the outcome, they had each other.

As they lined up on the grid, Y/N glanced over at Minjeong. She smiled, a genuine, warm smile that spoke volumes.

"Ready to lose?" Y/N teased, echoing their words from the previous year.

Minjeong chuckled. "We'll see who crosses the finish line first, Y/N."

Y/N nodded, feeling a surge of affection. "May the best driver win."

The race was intense, filled with heart-stopping moments and breathtaking maneuvers. In the end, Y/N took the victory, clinching the championship. But as she crossed the finish line, her first thought was of Minjeong.

Later, in the winner's circle, Minjeong approached Y/N, a proud smile on their face. "Congratulations, champion."

Y/N pulled Minjeong into a tight embrace. "Couldn't have done it without you."

As they stood there, surrounded by cheering fans and flashing cameras, Y/N realized that their journey together had only just begun. They were rivals, yes, but they were also partners, friends, and something much more profound.

And as the sun set on the Yas Marina Circuit, casting a golden glow over the track, Y/N and Minjeong knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, side by side.

------------------------------------------------------------

[chussyracing]

christmas f1 news, rumours and interesting facts i learned

(there is a lot because i missed a few days)

Charles Leclerc got a new car after getting a new haircut (and a new partner at the start of the year and new contract according to rumours)

Williams and Sauber car launch on 5th feb

Verstappen tested some cars for Verstappen.com racing (and yes there was a Ferrari too because everyone is a Ferrari fan as Seb would say)

Horner says their 2024's developed car doesn't look as well as he would like it to be and said they had less time than other teams (I will believe it when I see it)

Steve Nielson resigned from his role as fia sporting director and the rumour has it he was unhappy with the fia leading and the stuck up way issues were dealt with, preventing him from introducing new solutions to improve the sport

Aston Martin's new wind tunnel should be completed in September 2024

Max couldn't rent a Merc car on holidays because he was too young for the insurance lol (allowed from 30 years up)

Until now, teams were allowed to work over christmas but now fia had the teams mandatorily close down the factories for 9 days starting with christmas eve (aka 24th december) just like there is a 14 days long shut down in summer. So in 2024 we will technically have a summer break, a spring break and a chritmas break. But since it's f1, there is a grey area - the factory shut down doesn't go for external suppliers

Merc and MCL car launch on 14th feb (according to rumours)

Bia Bustamante f1 academy driver for mcl liked and then unliked and then apologised for liking an ableist Lance Stroll hate tweet (actually i read she apologised and then deleted the apology where she stated she is just a child and then rewrote it but it's not an important detail here)

According to Motorsport Italy rb20 failed the first crash tests

Alpine car launch is rumoured to fall on 7th february

There is a rumour Valtteri will try to compete in cycling championship alongside f1 in 2024 WHAT.

And speaking of Val, although there were rumours previously that he won't extend his contract and will rather retire, now they say he will try to be a part of audi project

Pourchaire said in an interview that he thinks he could do what Oscar did in the same car in 2023

BILD says that Michael Schumacher was driven around in Merc road car and played f1 sounds for brain simulation with familiar sounds but i'd take this with a grain of salt

Drivers voted top 10 drivers in 2023 among themselves (I think all besides Lewis took part in it), the results are: Ver, Ham, Alo, Nor, Lec (note: drivers can't vote for themselves)

Ferrari fired the 2026 engine with positive results (reminder teams cannot work on 2026 cars from aero point of view and other stuff, they can work on engines tho and reports say General Motors are working on the engine for 2028)

Fred Vasseur also says they are both included closely in the development and are satisfied with the project so far

Mick stays merc reserve driver for 2024 while driving in wec for alpine and they say he will prioritise f1 over wec if he is needed for reserve duties

Lewis says Las Vegas will play a big part in the Brad Pitt movie

Carlos has been coming out with. Some interesting quotes. About how strategies in Ferrari aren't a problem. How he is always within a tenth of Charles. How he sees no expiration date on his ferrari contract and wants to become a champ with ferrari.

There were rumours of Newey retiring after his 65th birthday but he denied them

There are rumours about the 2023 season 1B prize pot or more likely how much each team receives (the only interesting things is that the historic bonus ferrari receives every year should be around 50m this year)

Sanz (fia president of senate) says that fia is considering two spanish gps (Madrid and Barcelona) but the rumours are untrue because the responsible authorities didn't even receive the project for approval

Brown proposed f1 could have 28 races calendar with 20 fixed ones and 4 more on top chosen from 8 rotating circuits

[formulatrash]

Hi, whats your opinion on Susie Wolffs new position with the F1 Academy? I scrolled too far down the comments on the announcement post and am effing angry now, because i think there could not be a better person for that role, but at he same time i can understand that working on opposite sides in the same organisation as your husband can be perceived wrong. I don't really see the problem though, as a managing director of a different race series she won't have much contact with the official side of f1, won't she?

Sorry if this is unclear, not my first language ✌️

hello - thank you for the question, your english is perfect. (mine probably less so haha)

Susie is 100% the right person to lead F1 Academy; I'm only surprised they managed to convince her to take the role. that says a lot about some credible stuff behind the scenes that I haven't always credited F1 Academy with, so far.

as with Venturi, Susie doesn't do projects if she doesn't think they're right. she doesn't need to, she only puts her name to things where she believes she is the right person to do them and that there is something worth doing.

so to have her coming onboard for F1 Academy is a huge sign for the series. I don't need to tell you Susie is absurdly driven and extremely well connected, she can represent and help the girls - many of whom should be teenagers, it's an F4 series so they only need to be 15 and I don't, unfortunately, need to tell you how much the press will fucking suck about that - navigate a world that's inherently hostile to and doubtful of them.

This is from an interview I did with Susie in 2021, about how to get more women into motorsport (which she did very successfully, with Venturi, by the simple act of hiring them)

"I didn't think at all about the fact that I was a woman doing it until we had our first media call," Wolff said (with a UK newspaper, if you were wondering). "And I remember it so clearly because [when] we had the call, I remember exactly where I sitting. The first question was: 'Did your husband get you the job?' The second question was: 'What qualifies you at all?' And the third question was: 'How do you manage being a mother and a team principal?'" 

She flagged a stark comparison to the interviews done with another former driver who stepped up to a team principal role at the same time as she did. "These are the first questions I get, in my first interview as a team principal. And I know they're not saying this to Allan McNish; he's got two kids, he's an ex-racing driver. What gives you the right to think that my husband got me the job?"

It's hard to put into words how important it's gonna be to have someone who gets that putting herself in the line of fire for up-and-coming young women. their records are going to be scrutinised, their lap times will be exaggeratedly plumbed into - christ, look how shit the Formula E Gen3 is with Hankook tyres. it's literally slower than the Gen2 even though it's 100kg lighter and has 100kW more horsepower and you had the brain geniuses of Twitter explaining that actually, W Series setting different times on Hankooks to Formula Regional on Michelins just meant that girls suck.

for the record, I don't think it matters at all that her husband is the head of a team in a different series. F1 Academy is not feeding directly to F1, it's an F4 series and if, say, Merc junior Luna Fluxa wanted to get in then she'd need to find the backing same as the rest of the field. (she's currently too young)

there's only one race where F1 Academy will be on the same circuit as F1 (COTA) and the majority of the championship will be done by then. so they won't even be in the same geographical place - and if Susie pops into the Merc hospitality to use the coffee machine when they are then I don't think even the amateur cops of F1 twitter can manufacture a scandal.

also I think people need to remember Susie came up karting against Lewis and they are friends. different parts of a diversity discussion but ones that come from literally the same karting tracks.

[ilovejevsjeans]

Lando Norris, the Formula One boy wonder racing in today’s grand prix

Norris, 20, was born in Bristol and began racing go-karts at the age of seven. His father, Adam, is a multimillionaire businessman who has appeared in The Sunday Times Rich List. He attended the fee-paying Millfield School in Somerset, but left before his GCSEs to focus on his driving career. He won titles in Formula Two, Three and Four before joining McLaren and competing in the 2019 F1 World Championship, finishing 11th. He competes today in the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone.

My flat [in Woking] is near the McLaren headquarters, but most of the time I stay in a hotel wherever I’m racing. I get up at 8am, although sometimes there’s a knock at the door because I forget to set the alarm. I’m a “twentyteen”, so I like to leave it as late as possible. Then I shower and listen to music. I like chilled stuff, I don’t need anything heavy to psych me up for a day on the track.

I’ve had a manager since I was 13 and now there’s a team trainer to advise on what to eat each day. Breakfast is scrambled or poached eggs on brown toast. Occasionally I sneak in a pain aux raisins, but he doesn’t approve. I’m 5ft 6in and 10½ stone, which is heavier than I look, but that’s due to muscle mass.

My trainer drives me to the track, which means I can sit in the back and watch something like Money Heist on Netflix. I hate driving myself because you never know what other drivers are going to do. It’s far more dangerous on the road than a race circuit.

I like to be involved with the mechanics in our pit lane garage. I’ve got no problem getting my hands dirty. Lunch is a chicken wrap, then I go for a walk and usually bump into another driver. Lewis [Hamilton] and I don’t speak that much, but I get along with him pretty well. I totally agree with him about drivers taking the knee [in support of the Black Lives Matter movement].

Signing for McLaren was a dream come true. At the first race this season, in Austria in July, I became the youngest British driver in history to stand on the podium [he finished third], beating a record set by Lewis Hamilton 13 years ago.

I poured a bottle of champagne over my head on the podium because I didn’t want to drink it. I find alcohol pretty disgusting, which is unusual for a 20-year-old. I don’t drink or smoke and prefer to be at home alone than partying in London. I spend downtime racing against my friends on a computer. That’s how I relax when I’m not driving a 230mph car. I don’t have space for a girlfriend, either. It’s not something I’m fussed about. If you want to be the best, you have to make sacrifices.

Life has changed since the coronavirus hit. Now when I’m racing the stands are empty, no Union Jacks waving or team flags. It will be weird today at Silverstone because the British fans are normally so enthusiastic. I miss the people because they are what makes this sport so special.

Mum only comes to a couple of races each season. I think she finds it difficult to watch because of the dangers involved. Dad watched more races last season, but it has been impossible this year because of the lockdown.

The grand prix itself is always a bit of a blur and exhausting if it’s hot. I don’t drink water during the race, so I’m always super thirsty afterwards. Then there are interviews and team commitments before I’m driven back to the hotel. Supper could be chicken salad with rice.

Often I speak to my friends or race them on the computer before I get into bed. I’ve never been the best sleeper, but it was far worse when I started in F1. I was nervous and struggled to switch off.

I’ve had an incredible start to the season, but I know it’s going to get much tougher. My dream is to win my first race and one day be world champion. Mum would say I just need to eat my greens, but it will take a lot more than that.

Best advice I was given Whatever you do, remember to have fun

Advice I’d give It’s harder to improve if you don’t enjoy it

What I wish I’d known Nothing — the unexpected is what makes life so cool

X

[meaningofmotorsport]

Mid-Week Motorsport Headlines - 7th July 2021

F1

After being moved from its original date as the season opener, the Australian Grand Prix has now been cancelled for 2021, as a result of the current situation in the country. This is a shame, as whilst the track may not be the best in the world, the atmosphere is always special there, and I hope it will return to open the 2022 campaign! Just to add, the MotoGP race in Australia has also been cancelled for similar reasons.

Formula E

Nico Muller will miss the rest of the season, as he focuses on DTM, where he races for Audi, and has been a title contender for the past few years! This makes sense as Dragon is not able to produce quite the same opportunities in Formula E. This is a complete split with the team, so going forward they will need to find a new permanent driver. The most likely contender, both for the rest of the season, and into the future, is Joel Eriksson, who beat the other Dragon car of Camara in both races in Mexico!

In calendar news, China looks set to return next year, if sports exemption agreements can be arranged. It last hosted a race in Sanya a couple of years ago. Cape Town is also in talks to join the series, with a possible date in February!

The NIO 333 team, is set to bring all its workforce together at a single facility, which will be based at Silverstone. Previously they were split between Donington Park, where their predecessors were based, and an innovation centre in Oxford! This move will allow all 30 or so staff to work more effectively together.

IndyCar

A new extension deal has been signed, to keep Road America on the calendar for many years to come. This is a brilliant move, as not only is the circuit one of the best road courses in North America, but the fans also come to that track in droves, so it is a win for all sides!

Calderon, an up and coming female racing driver, has had a test in the AJ Foyt IndyCar, driven by Bourdais, at Mid-Ohio. She performed very well, beating the other test driver, and being very close to the times that the main racers set over the weekend! Who knows, maybe she could be joining the series very soon!

MotoGP

Portimao will replace the Grand Prix of Australia, after it was cancelled earlier this week. Meaning we will get two races at that track this year, which I am sure Yamaha and Quartararo will be very pleased about. It could also give us a chance to see if teams have improved at all, from the start of the season!

Other News

After the Fuji round of the WEC was cancelled, there will now be two races at Bahrain, to keep the number of rounds the same! The cancellation of the Fuji 6 hours, puts the races for MotoGP and F1 severely into question, especially following what happened in Australia!

In other WEC news, pictures have been revealed, for the stunning new Peugeot challenger, which will join the series next year. The design is very different to the current Toyota car, especially with respect to the rear wing, which is far from conventional on the French version!

In some good news for Australia, it is targeting a return to the WRC in 2023, after losing its spot for the past few years. Also, we are expecting that the event for the Australian Supercars this weekend will become a double-header!

-M

Thank you very much for reading this article! To keep up to date with when they go out, and to see my reactions to races and other news, follow me on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/MeaningofMotor1

Also, if you want to support me, I have a Patreon Page at: https://www.patreon.com/meaningofmotorsport

[studentville-struggles]

A Double Life

A self-indulgent Daniel Ricciardo fic.

Summary: Returning to old passions results in the start of chaos and living a double life. We say we hate chaos, but the thrill is unlike anything else. 

Word count: 2698

Masterlist

It was supposed to be a simple celebration, a week's retreat for all of you who were starting your four-year journey in the centre for doctoral training programme. It was merely a chance to get to know one another, have some fun, go hiking, go-karting, discuss your PhD projects and talk about the conferences you dreamed of attending.  

 It was all that and more, you made a lot of friends, ate a lot of food and had many an intriguing discussion regarding projects. It was fun, it was a celebration. However, it also turned into the start of the strangest season of your life.  

Obviously, with there being a large group of 20-somethings, a majority of the week was spent on the karting track. With the number of people in your cohort, you could only go onto the racing track a group at a time, meaning there was a healthy amount of watching and betting who would be fastest around the track. Now you had always loved go-karting; you’d raced pretty seriously until you were around ten years old but having to move for your dad’s job meant stopping. After a few years, all you could manage was going with your friends and family on the odd occasion. However, after that move, your parents had always pushed you into other sports like martial arts and swimming.  

 Being back on the track for the week was invigorating and you were loving every second of it. It was like muscle memory to you, you could feel the addictive feeling of speeding round the track trying to beat your previous times rushing back. That, and you were consistently seconds, tens of seconds, faster than everyone else. An ego boost was always welcome, you hadn’t lost the knack for driving then. 

 It didn’t take long for the track staff to take notice of this high-speed consistency you had been producing. As was customary in such an occasion, the ‘emergency scout signal’ was sent out to racing team. Any time new talent arrived, the so-called bat signal went up for the scouts to come and investigate.  

 Scout they did. They came to lurk around the track and see if there was a fuss to be made. Day after day, a larger crowd of people in suits and various uniforms, carrying clipboards, huddled at key corners of the track and by what you could call the ‘stadium section’. Every time you were stood trackside you had a clear view of their furious note taking, a curious sight you thought.  

 Apparently, they were impressed enough by what you could do in a standard hire go-kart that you were approached for a drive assessment. At least that was what they said. You, being naïve, gave them your number anyway – reasoning the worst thing to come of it is some dodgy cold calls.  

 At the end of the week you went back to university. You went to classes, you started reading up on your project, you did your lab training. Life, initially, carried on as normal.

 Until it didn’t. 

 They did phone you, and they were really looking for you to do a driver’s assessment. They booked a time for you to come down to Silverstone, organising for a range of cars being brought down for you to test on the track of your home grand prix. They sent you a pack of documents to read, health forms and things of the like. You had six weeks to prepare.  

 In those six weeks you also had four assessed presentations and a draft project introduction to write for your confirmation paper. By the time your trip to Silverstone was near, you had been in overdrive trying to cram the information packs they’d sent, hoping and praying you’d remember enough.  

 You couldn’t believe the number of people who had come to watch you drive in circles in a simulator and then on a track.  Apparently ‘a scout’ meant all the teams that wanted to watch, and if they liked you, try to out-bid the other teams. You thought all this for one person seemed excessive. You met so many people, you couldn’t possible keep track of names and who was who. There were actual talent scouts, team principals, radio engineers, mechanics and random people whose job was a mystery. Everyone who was anyone seemed to be there. Was this normal? 

 Once you got the hang of the simulator and remembered which button did what, you grew to really enjoy the race simulator. Getting to wear all the kit was extremely exciting, as it had been so long for you and after an hour or so on that, you were grinning from ear to ear. You couldn’t help but think that no matter what happened at the end of the day, you were having the time or your life right now. You felt like that ten-year-old winning her karting league, all over again.  

 You were experiencing a sort of déjà vu as turned to look at those sat around you. Just like at the karting track, people were furiously scribbling notes onto clipboards, motioning to team members and communicating in hushed voices. You sat patiently waiting for your next instructions. Finally, someone had a new task. 

 “Get her in a Formula 3 car. Let’s see her on the track.” You recognised this man from the track but you were still somewhat confused as to who he worked for. 

 Still in your borrowed gear, they helped you into the car, double and triple checking you knew what was where, even though you had been cramming this information for weeks. With a final nod they wheeled you out the garage and onto the track. The lights went out and you were off. 

 "Incredible.” The most common comment uttered, repeated over and over again. You had collected several impressive lap times.   

 “Get a few drivers out there, see how she copes.”  

 With his command, three test drivers that were here for a nosey suited up as quickly as possible, getting out on the track to provide a comparison to your driving and see how you reacted to sharing the track. It’s all well and good being a good driver but if you can’t compete, you won’t get a seat. 

 “I was not expecting this.” 

 You obviously weren’t leading the pack, no one expected you to given your experience. However, you were holding your own in the group, something that wasn’t a guarantee. 

 “Do we have an F1 test car?”  

“You’re kidding.”  

“No, do we have a car?”  

“She’s not even got a super licence!” 

“Look at those corners – she’s not driven competitively in a decade and she’s making those, imagine what she could do with coaching.” 

A voice was raised from the back of the crowd.

“Why bother, there’s not been a female driver at that level for 40 years, there won’t be one now. She might make F2 with a lot of help, but she’ll go no further.” 

“Talent has no gender. If she can drive, and there’s a seat, she will.”  

 You were no less shocked than the others at being given a shot in an F1 test car, and knew this was going to be a once in a lifetime drive. You knew you had to pull out a good few laps, take some risks, and that you did.  

 After that drive, many teams were interested in you, unfortunately not many had seats for the next Formula 3 season. With a seat becoming available unexpectedly, you began discussions with Prema racing, as well as being welcomed onto the Mercedes development drivers’ squad. There had been the need initially to have a conversation with both the team and your university speaking about the commitments each required and seeing very few instances for overlaps, agreed to support you.

 That was the start of the chaos. 

 What you soon discovered was that doing a PhD and training to become a Formula 3 driver at the same time was no joke. And by no joke you meant two more-than-full-time jobs at the same time was exhausting. You joked that you barely had time to sleep but that wasn’t too far from the truth. Routine was your new best friend. Every minute of every hour of every day was planned and had to be kept to as much as possible. If you didn’t stick to your routine at all, you genuinely didn’t feel like you had time to sleep. 

 With the size of cars used in track racing, a normal driver’s licence wasn’t going to cut it, as you discovered during one of the initial meetings with your new team. 

 “You need a super licence before we can get you legally on the track to race.” 

“Do I need to parallel park?” Was your immediate response. 

“No?” Several of the team management seemed confused. 

“Awesome when can I do it then?” 

 You’d proved you could drive the cars, you just needed to do it with the right person watching now. 

 --- 

 With your contracts signed rumours began to circle. With your new-found team being one of the best, regularly the best, in formula 3, there was a large interest in how you would fair. Would you crash and burn under the pressure? How could you just jump back into racing? It was uncommon, if not unheard of, to have a racer re-join after a decade of being uncompetitive, let alone a racer who had a second job. Your own team wondered if would you be able to balance the two lives?

 In an attempt to raise more publicity for the formula 3, potentially the formula 2 circuits, as well as capitalise on the interest shown in your career as a driver, a show was going to be produced. You had always hated reality TV shows, and yet you were now set to be the star of one. Oh, the irony. 

 Formula three has eight rounds between May and September, so the first, and potentially only depending on how this year goes, season of ‘your’ show, would focus on the changes needed to turn you from PhD student to racing driver. It would join you at the start of your training, finding a performance coach come personal trainer, finding your feet in racing politics, learning the ins and outs of your car better than you knew yourself, and then when May came around, follow you through your races. 

 With the amount of time you were due to spend being filmed, which was effectively your entire life, it was impossible to not become close friends with the crew. At times you weren’t sure what you would’ve done without them. You would occasionally have moments of feeling swamped and overwhelmed. With the amount of lab work you had on, as well as physical training and everything else that came with preparing for the upcoming season, you were constantly running from city to city and track to track for testing. 

 You’d always been a big believer that friendships that didn’t need constant contact were the true lifelong ones, but it became your reality. You simply couldn’t text people at all hours of the day and you could feel a few people dropping out of your circle of friends and there was little you could do about it. Your crew was like a little family and they were your constants, your rock.  

 One of the weirdest things for you was having no one at the university, with the exception of your supervisors, have any clue what your other job was, and no one in F3 outside of your team knew that you had a second job. Both knew you were being filmed for a show but neither fully understood the extent or reason why. With that meant that both were complaining about you ‘not taking things seriously enough’. If only they could see your schedule you thought every time you overheard one of those comments. You had originally thought it easier to keep things separate, wanting to succeed on merit over anything else.

  Whilst you were so very close to your crew, there were times you needed a different perspective on things, especially with how people were talking. Frequently you would complain about those comments to your mentor, a luxury you had as a result of being a part of the Mercedes development drivers’ squad. It was one of the less well-known perks, with the aims to support drivers in all areas of the racing world with someone who’s been through it all. That was yet another whirlwind for you. Your mentor, one who’s definitely been round the ringer, was THE Lewis Hamilton. Like world champion Lewis Hamilton. Lewis Hamilton had the time of day (or night as it often was) to let you complain to him about people being bitchy. Initially, you were terrified; who were you to bother him and ask silly questions? Lewis seemingly knew this and kept organising times to meet with you on your off weekends.  

 Some weeks he would just have you over to his place in London for dinner, others it would be karting trips or fashion shows. All sorts of activities to connect with you. Lewis made it clear that he wasn’t here to be a middle man for management, keeping an eye on you, he was here to be a friend and to help you to be the best person you could be. Honestly, he had a lot of older brother vibes and you were very on board with it. You could ring him late at night, stressed about lab work and he would sit and listen to you – nothing to do with racing, but it was a part of your life and he was there to support you. Your friendship with Lewis was natural, almost like kindred spirits. The two of you were very in tune with each other and it wasn’t long until you were welcomed in as a part of the family.  

 After eight months of intense studying, training and testing, you boarded a flight to Spain, ready to take your maiden drive in a supercar. As fate would have it, being scouted in September just prior to the end of the last season, seemed to provide you a good, if slightly tight, amount of time to prepare and allow them to get you into the car for the next season. You were obviously nervous but feeling ready to get out there and prove that you deserved that seat, deserved to be driving for Prema. You’d been spending a lot of evenings in the simulator so you were feeling okay with knowing your racing lines so the main source of your nerves now was what the other drivers were like. You were happy with your teammates having met them at testing over the summer, you knew the three of you would have fun throughout the season. Lewis was there to remind you that friends were a by-product of racing and bonus, you just had to do your job first.  

Lewis’ impact on your racing experience was invaluable. He was so supportive of you throughout those last few months of pre-season training and really helped to give you the best start to your season. Lewis was also sweet enough to come and see how you were getting on throughout the weekend, with the F1 Spanish Grand-Prix being the same weekend, although it was well into his season. You really appreciated his support, especially with all the extra pep talks he was giving you.  

 What a start to the season it was as well, race 1 saw you enter the points and race 2 had even larger improvements with a top-five finish. You were thrilled, Lewis was chuffed for you and your bosses were certainly happy with the start of your season.  

 Things looked good. Your season was off to a great start and thankfully it didn’t overlap with any studies; plenty of time to memorise data and racing lines and plenty of times to prepare for your confirmation paper. Your double life was finely balanced but you seemed to have the will to keep things in check. 

Part 2

[thisdaynews]

Katherine Legge: The woman who ‘had to fight and claw' her way into motorsport

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/katherine-legge-the-woman-who-had-to-fight-and-claw-her-way-into-motorsport/

Katherine Legge: The woman who ‘had to fight and claw' her way into motorsport

Media playback is not supported on this device

The car doesn’t know the difference between male and female drivers – Legge

In the reception of a nondescript Northampton office block, a young woman sits and waits. It’s a rare moment of quiet for someone used to the thrilling speed of the racing track.

The woman is Katherine Legge, the year is 2004 and the office is the UK headquarters of Cosworth. Legge is, in her own words, “stalking” Kevin Kalkhoven, Cosworth boss and owner of the United States’ biggest racing franchises: Indy Car, Champ Car and Atlantic Series.

At 23 years old and with almost 15 years of driving behind her, Legge had run out of money and was struggling for sponsorship. She feared her dream of being a racing driver was coming to an end.

She was refusing to leave – until she got a meeting with Kalkhoven – so Kalkhoven sent his daughter Kirsty out to get rid of her. After a short conversation Kirsty went back to her father and said: “You ought to meet this person, there’s something different about her.”

In a sport where fine margins and money make the wheels go round, this was Legge’s sliding doors moment. Kalkhoven offered her a chance to compete in the first three races of the Atlantic Series that season.

Looking back now Legge says: “That was the first time I’ve driven a car full-time in anything. It was the first time I’d had such a big, heavy, powerful car. The first race was Long Beach and I won that.”

Victory in her debut race. She would go on to win three of her first six races that season. As she says now: “The rest is history, and I think the moral of the story is tenacity.”

Legge on the starting grid early in her go-karting days

Legge’s journey into racing started almost by chance. After seeing an advert in the local paper for a go-kart track near her home in Guildford, the self-described tomboy and adrenaline junkie nagged her father Derek to take her. Eventually he relented, and her obsession with motorsport began.

“I just loved it,” she says. “The first race I won, I was nine years old. They give you the flag to carry and I wasn’t strong enough to carry it!”

Her pace, however, was not in doubt. She progressed through the same ranks as many Formula 1 hopefuls, coming up against young talents such as Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton and, on occasion, beating them.

Legge was making a name for herself, but the idea of forging a career in the sport seemed a distant dream. “I didn’t know I was going to be a racing driver. I didn’t even know that it was possible because at that time there really weren’t any females doing it.”

She looked for inspiration outside of motorsport.

“Ellen MacArthur – do you remember how she used sail around the world single-handed? I looked up to people like that and I thought if they can do that then I can be a race car driver.”

But the further she progressed, the harder it became to find funding. She was beginning to realise how much of a challenge it was just to make it into the car.

“I wasn’t one of these people who had a rich family and was handed it on a plate, but I’m also grateful for that in a way because I think if it’s easy, then you don’t want it as much.

“I don’t know many people have driven the variety of things that I’ve driven, but then I had to fight and claw my way through racing, so I took every opportunity that was thrown my way.”

Media playback is not supported on this device

Katherine Legge crashes at Road America 2006

When Legge was breaking through, motorsport’s land of opportunity was the USA, and it was there her career took off. But chasing the highs of motorsport brings huge risks.

In 2006, she was racing at Road America in Wisconsin when a mechanical failure caused her to lose control entering a 180mph corner. The force of the crash caused her car to disintegrate in dramatic fashion.

Her dad, who rarely misses a race, was watching, gripped by fear.

“I’m not religious, but I was just praying to any god that would listen that Katherine would just be alive,” he says.

Derek hasn’t spoken to the media about the accident since it happened, and his voice breaks as he recalls it.

“I thought she’d died…”

It took 15 minutes for him to discover that not only had his daughter survived, but she had somehow emerged with only bruises.

“It was one of the worst moments of my life and one of the best moments of my life. Literally within 15 minutes I was down in the depths and then elated.”

As for Legge, she said she would have finished the race if she could.

“It didn’t faze Katherine at all. She’s wired differently,” Derek says with a knowing smile.

Media playback is not supported on this device

‘Wear a sports bra’: A lap of Daytona with Katherine Legge

That 2006 crash had followed an uncertain time in Legge’s career. She had tested a Minardi F1 car the year before, but a shot at an F1 drive never materialised despite her ambition to race in the world’s most popular racing category.

Instead Legge’s is a career that reflects her assertion of having to fight for drives throughout motorsport – touring the world in search of work, a freelance racer for hire.

She competed in the German ‘DTM’ touring car championships from 2008 for two years, then spent two more years racing in the US Indycar series, taking part in the famous Indy 500 race. The following year saw her compete in the ever-more popular Formula E electric racing series – and a stint in the American Nascar series came in 2018.

But none has yielded the kind of success her early career suggested.

Fast-forward to January 2019 and Legge, 38, is lining up on the the grid for the iconic and gruelling 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race.

It’s an event she knows well having finished second in her class in 2018, but this year there is extra scrutiny. She is the lead driver in a ground-breaking all-female team.

“So far it’s been received by everybody really well because it’s being taken seriously. We have the best female drivers in the world. It’s not a gimmick. We’ve got a legitimate shot of winning.”

Legge was instrumental in recruiting Brazil’s Bia Figueiredo, Swiss driver Simona de Silvestro and Denmark’s Christina Nielsen to the line-up. All “bad-ass women”, according to Nielsen.

However, none of this would have been possible without the persistence of Jackie Heinricher, a former US Air Force Medic and successful businesswoman whose name shines proudly from the car they’ll be racing in.

As Heinricher runs her hand over the bonnet she says: “It’s an amazing feeling. We’ve worked for years to bring this whole effort together.

“Sponsorship is probably the hardest thing you can get in any sport let alone racing and let alone women. The door was slammed on me over and over for two years. This makes me feel like all that time paid off.”

The race begins well enough for the team, the first all-female line-up here since 1994.

For the first two stints of the race, driven by Figueredo and Nielsen, the team hold their own in a field that includes several former F1 stars and a sister team car driven by men.

Then comes Legge’s chance to shine. Considered the team captain for her experience and leadership off the track, she hauls the car up six places as night falls and fatigue begins to set in for all teams.

And then, drama. Legge tangles with one of the lead ‘prototype’ cars, sending them both on to the grass. Having lost several positions in the spin, a fired-up Legge claws her way up to third by the time she hands the car over to De Silvestro, wowing fans and commentators with her skill and determination.

Another milestone for the Daytona 24 changes everything. Halfway through the race – in the dead of night – torrential rain arrives, putting out the fans’ campsite fires and many teams’ hopes. For the first time in history the race is under threat of being ended early because of conditions.

Legge senses her chance to seize the initiative again. But this time her willingness to risk everything is punished.

Her car brushes the wall at speed, breaking the suspension and forcing Legge to limp back to the pits.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” comes the question over team radio, as mechanics frantically try to fix the damage. “I’m sorry,” is all an emotional Legge can muster in response.

The race is eventually called off around 10 minutes earlier than scheduled, and the team finishes 15th in their class.

“It hurts, but we gave it everything,” says Legge. “Once you’re done there’s nothing you can do. But we’ll keep fighting – we’ll never give up.”

Caterpillar Acura racing Daytona 24 Hours 2019: (l-r) Ana ‘Bia’ Beatriz Figueiredo, Katherine Legge, Simona de Silvestro, Christina Nielsen and Jackie Heinricher

It’s not difficult to find evidence of women attempting to blaze a trail in motorsport history. It’s just that each time a pioneer puts on a helmet, after the initial wave of publicity fades, so does the trail being blazed.

The presence of women in the cockpit began as early as the late 1920s, when Helle Nice drove in several races, including for an all-female team.

But only two women have actually contested a race in F1’s 69-year history. Maria Teresa de Filippis drove a Maserati during three grands prix in 1958, and Lella Lombardi qualified for 12 races across 1975 and 1976, with a highest finish of sixth at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix.

Several more have competed outside F1. One of the most high-profile female drivers away from the F1 paddock was rally star Michele Mouton, who won four World Championship rallies and was runner-up in the World Championship during the 1982 season for the all-conquering Audi team.

Mouton, arguably, provided the greatest inspiration for women in motorsport during her 12 years as a driver, and it’s a cause she has picked up again as head of the women in motorsport commission for the FIA, the sport’s governing body.

“It’s a pity we don’t have more female drivers, and it’s hard to tell what the targets are – we have to wait and see,” says Mouton.

“But we have initiatives in place to be working on the grassroots. It’s a difficult time for women in motorsport but we must increase the numbers at the bottom of the pyramid.

“There was no problem with sexism when I was in competition. Women need the passion – they need to be motivated.”

But is there a lack of wider support? Has modern-day sexism caused this shortfall?

The new all-women W Series can be viewed as a positive step to provide a platform for women in the sport, but it is not endorsed by the FIA, and for Legge the jury’s out.

“I think part of me is against it because I think you have to race against the best. So, in a way, I think it’s putting the spotlight on women in a negative connotation. Why segregate us? It’s one of the sports where men and women can compete on equal footing. So I think it’s a step backwards in that respect.

“Then I think, well, if I didn’t have the money and I wanted to go into racing and they’re offering this big purse, and then maybe if you shone there then you would get the opportunity that you wouldn’t have had necessarily… I can see that, too. It’s ‘tbc’ in my mind.”

Media playback is not supported on this device

Inside the Caterpillar GTD car with Katherine Legge

While Formula 1 is under new ownership which moved quickly to remove the ‘grid girls’ in favour of a more progressive side, some fear there not enough is being done to promote women drivers.

Despite Susie Wolff taking part in two practice sessions for Williams in 2014, Helmut Marko, a senior figure at the Red Bull team, recently said the “huge physical demands are maybe too difficult and too strenuous for women”.

Two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso believes women have been under-served until now, and says there is still work to do to establish a more permanent presence.

“There’s no reason why women could not succeed in Formula 1 or motorsport in general, and there are more and more coming. I think in future it will balance much more than we see now and that’s what we all hope.

“[Katherine Legge] is great – she is an example to all of us, and I wish her all the success.”

Money is the fuel that currently drives young racing talent to the top. In the absence of funding, talent alone is all too often not enough – for now, it has to be coupled with an extremely rare tenacity and drive.

That, combined with the simple fact that there are fewer girls than boys entering the sport at an early age, means the number of women currently getting to the top of the sport is still shockingly small.

Although Legge may not have had any racing role models growing up, she is now the one providing inspiration for future generations.

Hopefully the only stalking they will have to do is in pursuit of the car in front.

BBC Sport has launched #ChangeTheGame to showcase female athletes in a way they never have been before. Through more live women’s sport available to watch across the BBC this summer, complemented by our journalism, we are aiming to turn up the volume on women’s sport and alter perceptions.

Find out more here.

Read More

[eddiejpoplar]

Catching Up with Alex Zanardi on the Eve of the 2019 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona

No one much wanted to run the CART Indy-car race at Germany’s Lausitzring on September 15, 2001, just four days after 9/11, but it went on anyway. Ex-Formula 1 driver and two-time CART champ Alex Zanardi was having one of his best outings in years when he spun on cold tires exiting the pits and was broadsided by Alex Tagliani. The Italian, now 52, lost both legs and three-quarters of his blood. He survived and went on to win gold medals in Paralympic handcycle competition, and this weekend he will race for BMW in the GTLM class at the 2019 Rolex 24 at Daytona, the opening round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. We spoke to him just prior to the race.

Automobile Magazine: Do you still have pain from your Indy-car crash?

Alex Zanardi: No, I am fine. But at my age, every year gets harder. Cycling in the Paralympics, I’ll be facing men in their twenties. But you lose in some ways, gain in others.

How did you survive that crash?

I am here because of a lot of people, one in particular. Luck has a name: It’s [then CART medical director] Dr. Steve Olvey. He sent people to research all the local medical facilities in advance. I was in very bad shape, bleeding like a fountain. He knew that by helicopter I could be at the hospital in Dresden in 27 minutes, or in a fully equipped one in Berlin in 55. He knew if I went to Dresden, they would lose me. He sent me to Berlin. Then he waited. And 57 minutes later, they called him and told him I was still alive. Everyone was great. It was not a miracle, it was just a f***ing great effort.

We thought you were dead.

I was. My heart stopped seven times and I was given last rites. I was still alive after 48 hours, and I was told that was a very good sign. But they wondered, when they turned the key back on and I was brought out of the coma, what would be left of the old Alex? But everyone handled it beautifully. So many people. Dario Franchitti drove my wife, Daniela, to the hospital. He said, “I’ll get you there in no time!” She told him, no, we just need to get there. Ashley Judd was his fiancée then, she and Daniela were very close. Tony Kanaan, Max Papis, so many people.

You are racing in this year’s Rolex 24 for Bobby Rahal and Team RLL in a new BMW M8 GTE in the tough GT Le Mans class—you could actually win this race.

I’m happy being part of such a great team. I knew BMW would only support a top-class organization—so professional, so dedicated, and so hungry to try and deliver a good result. I’m proud to be part of it, but there’s pressure, I’ve got to perform on the same level as my teammates.

You’ve driven and won before with your prosthetic legs, which you helped design. This time you are sharing the car with three drivers who have legs, and you will be driving with no legs, shifting and accelerating with a special steering wheel that you will snap onto the steering column when you get in the car. Why not use your legs?

In reality we started to study a way BMW could get me into condition to be a better driver, and find a way to take the car around the track without my prosthetic legs. We were hoping it might be a big plus. It wasn’t. It is a huge plus. I can get in and out faster than my teammates. I could drive it on my own for the entire race if the rules allowed!

Will it be dependable?

That is a problem we have addressed. Any time you change something, you take a chance something will break. If we change out the steering wheel during a driver change in a rush and damage something, that’s a problem another team wouldn’t have. So far in practice I have done three double stints with no issues.

You had an encounter with ex-F1 champion Fernando Alonso, who is also racing here at Daytona.

I found myself sitting alongside him. I asked, “Are you a driver?” He said, “Yes.” I asked, “Are you any good?” He said he was pretty good. Funny—it was exactly the same question I was asked in an elevator yesterday by an elderly woman.

As a child in Bologna, you built a kart out of spare parts, and that was it: You knew what you wanted to do. Would you, and your parents, follow that same path if you knew what would happen in Germany?

If my dad had a crystal ball, I think he would have still tried to give me what life unfortunately multiplied by a thousand times to give me the chance to become the best person I could be.

After the crash, what was your mental state?

Of course, it would be nice to do these same things with legs, but what started in the hospital as one pretty big “holy shit!”—I didn’t think about how I would get through life with no legs, but rather how I would do all the things I have to do with no legs. There was this odd sense of curiosity, knowing I would have to find a way. You can’t stop things from happening but as long as you stay alive, life has this bright fantasy of what is to come, to turn what happens into something positive.

Indianapolis is a special place for all racers, and you were honored like a superstar when you returned a few years ago.

In 2013 [my former car owner] Chip Ganassi invited me to come to the Indy 500. It was very special for me, I had been driving in the World Touring Car Championship, winning races, I had tested an F1 car, and I told my wife, maybe I’ll call Chip. She said, “Yes, you call Chip, I’ll call my lawyer.” Two weeks later I was hosting a show on TV, and a representative of the European space program was on. She said afterward that she and some of her colleagues had been talking, and they were wondering if I would be interested in being the first disabled person to go into space. I told my wife and she said, “Tell me more about Chip and the Indy 500!” So I know if I want to do the Indy 500, I just have to mention the space program to her!

Would you like to do the Indy 500?

Of course I would love to do Indy, but I’m not dying if it doesn’t happen.

The post Catching Up with Alex Zanardi on the Eve of the 2019 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

from Performance Junk Blogger 6 http://bit.ly/2WrE7fA via IFTTT

[jesusvasser]

Catching Up with Alex Zanardi on the Eve of the 2019 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona

No one much wanted to run the CART Indy-car race at Germany’s Lausitzring on September 15, 2001, just four days after 9/11, but it went on anyway. Ex-Formula 1 driver and two-time CART champ Alex Zanardi was having one of his best outings in years when he spun on cold tires exiting the pits and was broadsided by Alex Tagliani. The Italian, now 52, lost both legs and three-quarters of his blood. He survived and went on to win gold medals in Paralympic handcycle competition, and this weekend he will race for BMW in the GTLM class at the 2019 Rolex 24 at Daytona, the opening round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. We spoke to him just prior to the race.

Automobile Magazine: Do you still have pain from your Indy-car crash?

Alex Zanardi: No, I am fine. But at my age, every year gets harder. Cycling in the Paralympics, I’ll be facing men in their twenties. But you lose in some ways, gain in others.

How did you survive that crash?

I am here because of a lot of people, one in particular. Luck has a name: It’s [then CART medical director] Dr. Steve Olvey. He sent people to research all the local medical facilities in advance. I was in very bad shape, bleeding like a fountain. He knew that by helicopter I could be at the hospital in Dresden in 27 minutes, or in a fully equipped one in Berlin in 55. He knew if I went to Dresden, they would lose me. He sent me to Berlin. Then he waited. And 57 minutes later, they called him and told him I was still alive. Everyone was great. It was not a miracle, it was just a f***ing great effort.

We thought you were dead.

I was. My heart stopped seven times and I was given last rites. I was still alive after 48 hours, and I was told that was a very good sign. But they wondered, when they turned the key back on and I was brought out of the coma, what would be left of the old Alex? But everyone handled it beautifully. So many people. Dario Franchitti drove my wife, Daniela, to the hospital. He said, “I’ll get you there in no time!” She told him, no, we just need to get there. Ashley Judd was his fiancée then, she and Daniela were very close. Tony Kanaan, Max Papis, so many people.

You are racing in this year’s Rolex 24 for Bobby Rahal and Team RLL in a new BMW M8 GTE in the tough GT Le Mans class—you could actually win this race.

I’m happy being part of such a great team. I knew BMW would only support a top-class organization—so professional, so dedicated, and so hungry to try and deliver a good result. I’m proud to be part of it, but there’s pressure, I’ve got to perform on the same level as my teammates.

You’ve driven and won before with your prosthetic legs, which you helped design. This time you are sharing the car with three drivers who have legs, and you will be driving with no legs, shifting and accelerating with a special steering wheel that you will snap onto the steering column when you get in the car. Why not use your legs?

In reality we started to study a way BMW could get me into condition to be a better driver, and find a way to take the car around the track without my prosthetic legs. We were hoping it might be a big plus. It wasn’t. It is a huge plus. I can get in and out faster than my teammates. I could drive it on my own for the entire race if the rules allowed!

Will it be dependable?

That is a problem we have addressed. Any time you change something, you take a chance something will break. If we change out the steering wheel during a driver change in a rush and damage something, that’s a problem another team wouldn’t have. So far in practice I have done three double stints with no issues.

You had an encounter with ex-F1 champion Fernando Alonso, who is also racing here at Daytona.

I found myself sitting alongside him. I asked, “Are you a driver?” He said, “Yes.” I asked, “Are you any good?” He said he was pretty good. Funny—it was exactly the same question I was asked in an elevator yesterday by an elderly woman.

As a child in Bologna, you built a kart out of spare parts, and that was it: You knew what you wanted to do. Would you, and your parents, follow that same path if you knew what would happen in Germany?

If my dad had a crystal ball, I think he would have still tried to give me what life unfortunately multiplied by a thousand times to give me the chance to become the best person I could be.

After the crash, what was your mental state?

Of course, it would be nice to do these same things with legs, but what started in the hospital as one pretty big “holy shit!”—I didn’t think about how I would get through life with no legs, but rather how I would do all the things I have to do with no legs. There was this odd sense of curiosity, knowing I would have to find a way. You can’t stop things from happening but as long as you stay alive, life has this bright fantasy of what is to come, to turn what happens into something positive.

Indianapolis is a special place for all racers, and you were honored like a superstar when you returned a few years ago.

In 2013 [my former car owner] Chip Ganassi invited me to come to the Indy 500. It was very special for me, I had been driving in the World Touring Car Championship, winning races, I had tested an F1 car, and I told my wife, maybe I’ll call Chip. She said, “Yes, you call Chip, I’ll call my lawyer.” Two weeks later I was hosting a show on TV, and a representative of the European space program was on. She said afterward that she and some of her colleagues had been talking, and they were wondering if I would be interested in being the first disabled person to go into space. I told my wife and she said, “Tell me more about Chip and the Indy 500!” So I know if I want to do the Indy 500, I just have to mention the space program to her!

Would you like to do the Indy 500?

Of course I would love to do Indy, but I’m not dying if it doesn’t happen.

The post Catching Up with Alex Zanardi on the Eve of the 2019 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

from Performance Junk WP Feed 4 http://bit.ly/2WrE7fA via IFTTT

[jonathanbelloblog]

Catching Up with Alex Zanardi on the Eve of the 2019 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona

No one much wanted to run the CART Indy-car race at Germany’s Lausitzring on September 15, 2001, just four days after 9/11, but it went on anyway. Ex-Formula 1 driver and two-time CART champ Alex Zanardi was having one of his best outings in years when he spun on cold tires exiting the pits and was broadsided by Alex Tagliani. The Italian, now 52, lost both legs and three-quarters of his blood. He survived and went on to win gold medals in Paralympic handcycle competition, and this weekend he will race for BMW in the GTLM class at the 2019 Rolex 24 at Daytona, the opening round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. We spoke to him just prior to the race.

Automobile Magazine: Do you still have pain from your Indy-car crash?

Alex Zanardi: No, I am fine. But at my age, every year gets harder. Cycling in the Paralympics, I’ll be facing men in their twenties. But you lose in some ways, gain in others.

How did you survive that crash?

I am here because of a lot of people, one in particular. Luck has a name: It’s [then CART medical director] Dr. Steve Olvey. He sent people to research all the local medical facilities in advance. I was in very bad shape, bleeding like a fountain. He knew that by helicopter I could be at the hospital in Dresden in 27 minutes, or in a fully equipped one in Berlin in 55. He knew if I went to Dresden, they would lose me. He sent me to Berlin. Then he waited. And 57 minutes later, they called him and told him I was still alive. Everyone was great. It was not a miracle, it was just a f***ing great effort.

We thought you were dead.

I was. My heart stopped seven times and I was given last rites. I was still alive after 48 hours, and I was told that was a very good sign. But they wondered, when they turned the key back on and I was brought out of the coma, what would be left of the old Alex? But everyone handled it beautifully. So many people. Dario Franchitti drove my wife, Daniela, to the hospital. He said, “I’ll get you there in no time!” She told him, no, we just need to get there. Ashley Judd was his fiancée then, she and Daniela were very close. Tony Kanaan, Max Papis, so many people.

You are racing in this year’s Rolex 24 for Bobby Rahal and Team RLL in a new BMW M8 GTE in the tough GT Le Mans class—you could actually win this race.

I’m happy being part of such a great team. I knew BMW would only support a top-class organization—so professional, so dedicated, and so hungry to try and deliver a good result. I’m proud to be part of it, but there’s pressure, I’ve got to perform on the same level as my teammates.

You’ve driven and won before with your prosthetic legs, which you helped design. This time you are sharing the car with three drivers who have legs, and you will be driving with no legs, shifting and accelerating with a special steering wheel that you will snap onto the steering column when you get in the car. Why not use your legs?

In reality we started to study a way BMW could get me into condition to be a better driver, and find a way to take the car around the track without my prosthetic legs. We were hoping it might be a big plus. It wasn’t. It is a huge plus. I can get in and out faster than my teammates. I could drive it on my own for the entire race if the rules allowed!

Will it be dependable?

That is a problem we have addressed. Any time you change something, you take a chance something will break. If we change out the steering wheel during a driver change in a rush and damage something, that’s a problem another team wouldn’t have. So far in practice I have done three double stints with no issues.

You had an encounter with ex-F1 champion Fernando Alonso, who is also racing here at Daytona.

I found myself sitting alongside him. I asked, “Are you a driver?” He said, “Yes.” I asked, “Are you any good?” He said he was pretty good. Funny—it was exactly the same question I was asked in an elevator yesterday by an elderly woman.

As a child in Bologna, you built a kart out of spare parts, and that was it: You knew what you wanted to do. Would you, and your parents, follow that same path if you knew what would happen in Germany?

If my dad had a crystal ball, I think he would have still tried to give me what life unfortunately multiplied by a thousand times to give me the chance to become the best person I could be.

After the crash, what was your mental state?

Of course, it would be nice to do these same things with legs, but what started in the hospital as one pretty big “holy shit!”—I didn’t think about how I would get through life with no legs, but rather how I would do all the things I have to do with no legs. There was this odd sense of curiosity, knowing I would have to find a way. You can’t stop things from happening but as long as you stay alive, life has this bright fantasy of what is to come, to turn what happens into something positive.

Indianapolis is a special place for all racers, and you were honored like a superstar when you returned a few years ago.

In 2013 [my former car owner] Chip Ganassi invited me to come to the Indy 500. It was very special for me, I had been driving in the World Touring Car Championship, winning races, I had tested an F1 car, and I told my wife, maybe I’ll call Chip. She said, “Yes, you call Chip, I’ll call my lawyer.” Two weeks later I was hosting a show on TV, and a representative of the European space program was on. She said afterward that she and some of her colleagues had been talking, and they were wondering if I would be interested in being the first disabled person to go into space. I told my wife and she said, “Tell me more about Chip and the Indy 500!” So I know if I want to do the Indy 500, I just have to mention the space program to her!

Would you like to do the Indy 500?

Of course I would love to do Indy, but I’m not dying if it doesn’t happen.

The post Catching Up with Alex Zanardi on the Eve of the 2019 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

from Performance Junk Blogger Feed 4 http://bit.ly/2WrE7fA via IFTTT