#so yeah maybe a big f1 break is necessary

[sophiewagentje]

.

[vro0m]

Why do you care so much about Max's popularity? Generally, I don't. But his presence in Lewis' absence is a problem. If it continues this way, this will be a problem for Lewis. His marketability is a big thing going for him and his team. And, if his marketability is in jeopardy and his team feels he is not outperforming the car, his career will be in jeopardy, as well. If both Max and Lewis are present and represented in the same space, fine.

Do you think the most important part of Lewis training is that he's showing you on social media that he's doing it? Not at all, but maybe balance is necessary, since his circumstances have changed dramatically since he's last won a race. I've never gotten to witness him win a single race, since I started watching f1, but I'm still very much a fan of his. I argued with someone who badmouthed him for posting a skydiving video at the start of the break in the comments section of his IG. Some fans want some type of reassurance that he will put his best foot forward regardless of whether he has a championship-winning car or not because they feel like he did less than his best this past season. He technically doesn't owe anyone anything, but his fans are the reason why he's been marketable for so long, no? He could have AT LEAST come on social media to thank his supporters for the birthday wishes, unless I missed that post (please correct me if I'm wrong). He was trending on Twitter on his birthday with 22k posts and I didn't see a single "thank you" from him.

Do you think Lewis having other ventures is branding rather than just genuinely having other interests? I think it's both, but like I said, he should show balance in his social media posts. For every red carpet appearance or leaked photo of him hanging out with his celebrity friends, he should post 1-2 instances of him training. You know people literally gamble on sports, right? So they would probably resent him if they bet money on him performing a certain way and they lost. Not that that's his fault that they gambled, but yeah, ppl just want assurance that he's gonna be better in 2024 than he was in 2023.

Do you think if he gave up his other ventures it somehow would give him a car that can actually compete with the redbull? This is obviously sarcasm, so I won't bother responding to it.

anon, i will understand if you don't take it as such and think i'm attacking you or dismissing you, but please believe i'm saying this with the sincerest understanding and with all due respects : this is intensely parasocial.

you're reading way too much into things, and demanding things from him he does not owe you (you even said so yourself), and not taking into consideration that this is a real human being on a vacation from his day job.

[race-week]

I think 23 races is enough, if not too much already. There's FOUR triple headers this season, three of which are consecutive (starting after the summer break). More races wouldn't necessarily be a problem logistically but we also have to think about the health and sanity of the drivers and their teams (do mechanics even get time off anymore? It doesn't seem like it). I feel like 23 races is already too big of a toll on the teams. So no, don't expand the calendar. Maybe F1 could start rotating tracks instead?

Yeah for me I’d say that 20 races should be the absolute maximum; as I said before it’s not feasible with the cost cap for teams to have large amounts of staff that they can rotate for races so they have their main mechanics, pit crew etc and then have some extras that rotate in and out. I feel like if F1 wants to keep increasing numbers of races teams will need whole extra teams of people to switch out.

Triple headers aren’t necessary and double headers should only happen when it logistically makes sense (with fly seats etc)

Rotating tracks isn’t a new idea either; I mean the European GP was never at a set track and there are so many good tracks that could be brought in on a rotating basis which would also bring more variety as tracks wouldn’t have to commit to long expensive contracts.

There is no need to have 23 races but Liberty and F1 want to reach this record number of races this season and seem hellbent on doing it.

From 1983 to 2003 the number of races per season averaged around 16, 2004 to 2015 it was around 19, 2016 onwards its been 21 the numbers are rising quite steadily.

[howardpotts]

Stop being so stubborn (Thor x Reader)

Requested by @mega-trash-cringe​. She asked if I could do a Soulmate!AU with Thor. I’m so weak for this.

Summary: You work for SHIELD and working on a distance for the Avengers. When the enemy is getting too close to you, you and Thor need to fight your way to safety.

Warnings: A bit of fighting but not really a warning

Wordcount: 1688

A/N: Okay so I know you asked for something with techonology, and I sort of did it. But, I don’t know, somehow it turned in to this :’). 

Your hand slides over the blue glowing screen, letting you zoom in on the situation Natasha Romanoff is currently in. She’s fighting four Hydra agents. Normally, that’d be an easy job for her. This situation, however, was different. They were holding very high-tech weapons that could destroy every living cell on Natasha’s body within an eye blink.

“After you’re done, you need to take the door on your right”, you say through her com as she’s about to punch a guy in the face. She punches him with all her power and stops for a second to respond. “Who is this?”

This is the first time you’ve been assigned to watch the Avengers and help wherever needed, so it wasn’t a question you didn’t see coming. “This is Agent L/N.”

You didn’t want to distract her with all your talking, you figured you could explain the rest to her after her battle. She’s taking the four of them as if they’re punchingbags. You let your eyes slide over to Captain America, who’s running alongside Sergeant Barnes. “The red door”, you say, not wasting any words. The captain nods, since he already knew who you were. It may be the first time helping the Avengers, but it wasn’t the first time helping Captain America.

Your eyes go to the next screen, where Wanda is holding off some guys, but she’s not holding up. You zoom in and try to find a solution. Around the corner there’s a table that can maybe throw the guys off her for a second.

Just when you opened your mouth to share the information, she was hit by some guy from Hydra. You turn your com from individual to all and start speaking to the group. “Someone needs to go to Deck F1, Maximoff needs help.” You’re looking for someone close by, but there’s no one near Wanda.

“On my way”, you hear Tony Stark say in the com. A little smile is on your face when you see him on Deck E6. Close enough.

Even though the Avengers are having a hard time defeating Hydra, you could tell that Hydra didn’t have that much agents out there. There were a maximum of thirty, where there were normally at least eighty.  You narrow your eyes and try to find the leak you’re missing. They must have a surprise attack somewhere.

There’s some rumbling behind your door, but you don’t pay attention to that. It’s probably some of the SHIELD agents that are practicing or someone dropped something.  

When your door opens, your eyes spurt to the open doorway. Thor was standing in his full Asgardian outfit, holding his hammer in his right hand. “We need to leave, now.” His expression spits fire, but you’re not ready to take his orders. “I can’t.”

He walks towards you. “You can get back in a minute, but right now, you need to follow me.” He’s standing close to you, almost intimidatingly close. You sigh, not impressed by his stern pose in front of you.

“What’s going on?”, you ask while turning your chair slightly from right to left, showing him you’re not worried about anything. You even check the screens for a while to check if the rest of the Avengers are doing okay; which they were.

“How many Hydra agents are there?” He points to the screen with his hammer. “Thirty”, you say with one eyebrow up, wondering where this is going. “Where is the rest?”, he asks with a low voice. You shrug. “I couldn’t find them yet”, you say as you want to turn back to the screens to look for them.

Thor stops you from turning by grabbing one of the armrests. “That’s because they’re here and we need all power to defeat them.”

Within a minute, you’re out of your chair and holding a gun. “And why didn’t you tell me this earlier?”, you ask while walking out of the room him. He stays silent and turns around the corner.

And there they were, Hydra agents ready to shoot the life out of your body. Thor yanks at your arm, putting him in front of you. He throws his hammer, but you weren’t really focussed anymore. All you could feel was the sparkle where he touched you. The place where your soulmate was supposed to touch you.

Thor, on the other hand, wasn’t aware of your soulmate-situation and watched every Hydra agent getting hit by his hammer. You wanted to say something, but as soon as you watched past Thor, you knew this wasn’t the moment. And besides – he’s a God, not a soulmate, he probably just touched you there on accident. Gods don’t have soulmates, right?

The last Hydra agent was put down by Thors hammer. Thor called it back and turned around with a little grin on his face. “Maybe you weren’t that necessary after all.”

Nope, can’t be your soulmate.

Thor wanted to go around the corner again, but a bullet flying just in front of his face stopped him. You pulled him back by grabbing his upper arm and pushed him against the wall. “Are you crazy?”, you say with annoyance in your voice.

Thor didn’t react. His mouth was open, but there weren’t any words coming out of his mouth. “I take that as a yes”, you huff and take a quick peek around the corner. Shit, there were at least ten of Hydra, you weren’t sure if you could take them all.

“There are ten, how many can your hammer get? And how many can you beat by hand?”, you ask while readying your gun. He’s still staring at you with big blue eyes as if he’s just seen a ghost.

“You’re my soulmate”, he says. Your body freezes and your eyes turn to him. “What?”, you ask while almost whispering. “You- Didn’t you feel?” “I mean- Yes, but I thought that was just your electricity going through your body”, you explain, feeling a little bit awkward.

Another gunshot is fired at you, making you snap out of your conversation. “We’ll handle this after”, you say and Thor nods while smirking. You both turn around the corner at the same time. You shoot half of the agents while Thor takes them down with his hammer.

When all the agents are done, Thor’s hammer appears back in his hand. You turn to him and watch his face. Damn, he was gorgeous. His face also turns to you. “So.. Soulmates huh?”, you say awkwardly. He nods. “I always knew mine would be stubborn”, he chuckled.

You walk through the rest of your department, but there’s no one left. “Okay, I’mma head back and help the team”, you say awkwardly, not really knowing what to do. You can’t just take a break and talk about you and him being a soulmate. You’re on a mission.

“I can help”, he says with an innocent smile. You smirk and nod. “Okay, God of Thunder, but don’t interfere too much.” He grins and follows you back to your lab.

Once again you take a seat on your chair, watching the Avengers. You fly with your drone, following Bucky and Steve. They were almost at the heart of the ship. “Captain, got your things ready?”, you ask.

“Yeah. Where were you, Y/N? I tried to reach you three times”, he says, annoyance leaking in his voice. “Lady Y/N was threatened herself… And she’s my soulmate!” Thor happily exclaims through another headset he grabbed from your table.

“Thor, what did I say about interfering?” You wanted to sound angry but a little chuckle betrays you. It was kind of cute how happy he was about sharing the news.

“Soulmate? Well.. Guess there’s never a right time to find out”, the captain says before punching in a door, starting a fight.

You start to notice how everything is pretty much under control, so you put your headset off. Thor watches you. “What are you-“ “They’re fine. We need to talk”, you say while you’re shuffling your chair to him. He puts down the headset as well.

When you were close enough, he grabbed both of your hands and looks you in the eye. “I’ve been waiting for you for over 1500 years, my lady. I will do everything in my power to keep you happy and satisfied, to keep you safe from danger and to cherish every moment we have together.”

Your hands were feeling warm under his touch, it made you feel so safe. Even though you acted tough, you didn’t feel strong at all. As a SHIELD agent, you were thought to never show weakness on a mission, so that’s what you did. You might be stubborn, but you were also a human who needed some love in her life.

“I might not have waited for that long, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t eager to meet you. I didn’t expect- I mean, you’re a God”, you say and feel your cheeks getting red. He chuckles at the shyness that is now all of the sudden washing over you. You didn’t want to blew, but you felt like you’ve already fucked up after saying you didn’t expect a God to be your soulmate.

You look down at the ground, but Thor puts a thumb under your chin, lifting your head up. “Are you disappointed?”, he asks worriedly. You shake your head while there’s a tear dropping on your cheek. You never cry, but here you are, finding yourself crying in front of your soulmate whom you just met a few minutes ago.

“I’m- I was always so worried that my soulmate was a bad guy or- or that he didn’t exsist at all. But here you are and- and-“, you didn’t know how to finish your sentence. You wanted to express how sorry you was for being a total ass in the first few minutes you met.

“I think it might be wise for me to take you on a.. ‘date’”, he winks while squeezing your right hand. You smile through your tears and nod. “Ugh, I’m so weak for gods.”, you joke.

[thestarshiphope]

Huh? What kind of game do you have planned Ouma?

Which of us shall move first?

Ladies first, as always.

As you wish.

*White Pawn to C4*

You ever think about life like this?

*Black Pawn to G6*

What do you mean?

*White Knight to F3*

I mean, it’s funny. People like us have so many more privileges than commons. We get to exercise all kinds of power they could only dream about.

*Black Knight to F6*

I am aware, though I do not cherish that fact.

*White Knight to C3*

Why not? I would’ve thought someone lifted out of poverty would jump at the chance. You’d finally have all the power and wealth you could ever ask for.

*Black Bishop to G7*

I never cared for the glitterati of the Ultimate Program. I accepted it as a chance to serve the country. 

*White Pawn to D4*

Oh yeah, that’s right. You’re a Utilitarian, aren’t you? It’s all about the needs of the many with you. 

As a Supreme Leader of Evil, I used the chance to build up our arsenal. We have more weapons than some countries now. Maybe a few people got hurt and disappeared, but who cares? They were all to happy to keep me in power over the rest of my family.

Seems we’re on opposite ends. A Utilitarian who believes in one for all and a dictator who believes in all for one.

*Castling: King to G8, Rook to F8*

As if I would believe that story. No such organization could exist and remain unnoticed.

Though you are correct: I do believe in a selfless devotion to all people. That is why I have chosen to serve as a maid. It is not merely a talent or a title, but my decision to serve. To bring happiness to others.

*White pawn to E4*

What kind of a life is that? You’re happy being a slave?

I am not a slave. 

Nishishishi, sorry. I’m just so used to dealing with my organization’s own slaves, it’s hard to tell the difference. 

Seriously though, don’t you ever get tired of dealing with people? If you serve them, they’ll never really appreciate at you, just take you for granted. 

*Black pawn to D5*

I have my limits, yes. I have dealt with my fair share of masters who I am loath to speak of.

However, they do not represent the bulk of my clientele. They were kind to me, asked me for assistance, and I was more than happy to not only serve them, but to help them realize their potential.

I have served both Ultimates and Commons, in positions as high as CEOs and politicians, to those who could only barely afford my services. At times, I even worked for free. I saw that they needed assistance and I was more than willing to provide.

*White Queen to B3*

How very noble of you, Tojo-san. An Ultimate sticking up for those poor unfortunate souls. 

Except, from the sound of it, you’re missing one crucial detail.

That being?

No matter how talented, connected, or powerful you are, you can’t help everyone. As a Utilitarian, you should know that.

*Black pawn to C4. White pawn captured*

Perhaps not. But I shall make the attempt regardless.

*White queen to C4. Black pawn captured*

So you really don’t care about your well-being? What about your needs? Your dreams? Do you really think other people are going to help you achieve them?

Believe me, when the masses are sure they can’t get anything out of people like you anymore, they’ll turn on you.

*Black pawn to C6*

I do not serve for the sake of popularity. I wish to help as many people as I possibly can.

Negative opinions hold no sway over me. It simply motivates me to work harder.

*White pawn to E4*

It does, does it? 

You sure didn’t feel that way when the Prime Minister’s house burned down.

*Black knight to D7*

…how do you even know-

I had my minions do a little digging before I signed up for Project Gofer. I know a loooot about the people on this ship. 

I think you were a perfect fit for Prime Minister! You were so smart and diligent when the people needed you, helped them whenever they needed it…

…and then it all burned down in one night. Tough break.

…

If this is your attempt at throwing me off, it is a painfully shallow one.

*White Rook to D1*

So it doesn’t bother you anymore? All those deaths don’t weigh on your conscience?

*Black Knight to B6*

I have moved past it. While I mourn for theirs deaths in what was an utterly senseless and disgusting waste of life, my priority here and now is the lives of everyone aboard this ship. 

Wallowing in my guilt and self-pity nearly cost them their lives. I will not allow that to happen again.

*White Queen to C5*

I see. I mean, your girlfriend did almost get strangled to death. Nice to know that your sense of morality is most important when it affects you specifically.

*Black Bishop to G4*

And I was able to save her, subdue Shinguji, and the others were rescued. No lives were lost.

It may surprise you, but I do have personal desires. This was one of the occasions where they coincided perfectly with those of everyone else.

More importantly, Kaede has taught me how to embrace my own emotions. It is true I neglected my feelings for too long, to the point where I did not know how to deal with them. She has done more for me than I ever thought possible. Of course I will defend her. I will defend her even if it costs me my own life.

*White bishop to E2*

…

Good for you! I’m happy to know you’re actually a human being and not some emotionless, soulless robot!

*Black Knight to A4*

There is no need for your prejudiced commentary.

So you’re a friend of robots too, huh? Why? Robots aren’t people.

Can a robot write poetry? Paint? Compose a song? Can you do anything besides compute data? No. They’re cold and unfeeling. 

Can you do such things?

…

I thought as much. 

*Castling: King to F1, Rook to E1*

If a machine is capable of independent thought, of creating new ideas, and even of exhibiting romantic attraction, they are a person in my eyes.

I prefer the Cartesian view on intelligence: I think, therefore I am. 

You sure do care a lot about people, don’t you, Tojo-san?

*Black Rook to B8*

Absolutely.

Does it ever hurt?

At times, yes.

It’s easier not to feel, isn’t it? To just be in it for yourself. 

If I wanted an easy life, I would never have become a maid.

*White Queen to E5*

Ain’t that the truth.

Even then, sometimes you get great opportunities just handed to you.

*Black Queen to D4. White Pawn captured*

And I gladly take them should they offer me a necessary step forward.

*White Queen to D4. Black Queen Captured*

Not everything turns out for the best, of course.

*Black Bishop to C8*

Tell me: you claim to be the Supreme Leader of some sort of clandestine organization.

If it does exist, what exactly is the purpose of your group? 

*White Rook to D2*

I’m afraid can’t tell you that, Tojo-san. 

If you ever found out, I’m afraid I’d have to kill you. Not by my own hands, of course. My subordinates would take care of you for me, and it would look just like an accident.

*Black Knight to C3. White Knight Captured*

Considering your reputation as a liar, I remain undaunted.

*White Bishop to C4*

I wouldn’t think like that if I were you. We have members everywhere, all of them closer than you might think.

*Black Knight to D5*

If I can survive assaults from Red Rain and a serial killer, I am certain your organization poses no greater threat. 

*White Bishop to E5*

That might be true. You are pretty physically capable.

But you remember what happened with Hoshi-chan and his family, don’t you?

If you really want to hurt someone, you go after everyone and everything they care about. 

*Black Knight to A2. White pawn captured*

Assuming, of course, that you are a greater power than them. If not, that plan falls to pieces.

*White pawn to D5. Black Knight Captured*

When one of us falls, we strike back even harder.

*Black pawn to D5. White pawn captured*

Then those under threat from you make themselves more prepared. Or perhaps a better strategy…

We strike close to your home as well, as a signal not to mess with us.

*White bishop to G7. Black bishop captured*

So you would be willing to do that? Hit close to your enemy’s home? Go after their families and loved ones just like they did to you?

*Black Bishop to E6*

If that is what it would come down to, as a way to put an end to the threat…

So be it.

*White Bishop to A2. Black Knight captured*

Alright, then let me ask you this…

What if it turns out the ones you’re trying to defend aren’t who they say they are?

*Black Rook to C8*

If they are truly a part of my adversary? 

*White Bishop to B3*

Not exactly. What I mean is, what if it turns out the person that you’re so sure that they are…is just one big lie?

They claimed to be a good friend, supported you, got as close to you as they could.

*Black Rook to C4*

*White Bishop to C4. Black Rook Captured*

But it was all just one ploy. You were never more than a means to an end for them. Once they get what they need, they stab you in the back.

*Black pawn to C4. White Bishop captured*

You have a very negative view on other people. I can assure you that the people I have spent the last few months with on this ship are nothing of that sort.

*White pawn to G3*

As a Supreme Leader, it’s obvious my sense of morality would be different from the norm. 

And can you really say that so confidently? I mean, didn’t Momota-chan pretend to not be sick just so he could explore that planet? He almost got himself, Saihara-chan and Akamatsu-chan killed.

And Shinguji-chan had been lying since even before Project Gofer started back on Earth. A serial killer with almost 100 victims pretending to be a friendly anthropologist.

How are you so sure that the others don’t have their secrets? Hell, you guys have been speculating about who among us might be a Red Rain member.

I am starting to believe that was merely paranoia at work.

And that’s when it happens. You get comfortable with the people you’re close to, just like they want you to. You open up to them, let them see you for who you really are, pretending they’re doing the same…

And when you open your heart to them, they’ve got you.

*Black bishop to H3. Check*

And how am I certain you are not merely lying about all of this?

Perhaps there is some truth in your words, but I am more than certain you are trying to incite distrust among us.

*White King to G1*

It’s not like that, I swear.

I’m just…scared, y’know? You’re one of the only people around here I feel like I can open my heart to. What if there’s really a Red Rain member here? You saw what they do to people like us.

*Black pawn to F6*

Your concerns are not entirely baseless I admit, but pointing fingers and accusing the others of lying will not do us any good. 

*White bishop to H6*

But we gotta do something to protect ourselves.

*Black rook to E8*

Yes, and that means building trust between us. Ensuring that we work together through any crisis we may face out here.

You can be certain of one thing: driving others away, accusing them of lying and manipulating, all of that will ultimately leave you alone and defenseless. None will stand beside you.

*White queen to C4. Black pawn taken. Check*

Do you love Akamatsu-chan?

*Black king to H8*

Of course I do.

I advise you not make any suggestions that she intends to betray me or anyone else here. 

Such accusations will not turn out well for you.

*White rook to E3*

You said you’d be willing to die for her. She really inspires that much love and devotion out of you?

*Black pawn to G5*

Beyond a shadow of a doubt.

*White queen to E4*

Funny how she kinda does that with everyone, huh?

She’s always been that big inspirational leader whenever we needed one. She’s kept this mission going while most of us were still asleep. It’s like she’s nothing but sunshine and optimism.

*Black pawn to E6*

But nobody’s right 100% of the time. 

Of course not. She has made mistakes, as we all have.

But on the whole, I doubt we would be anywhere near this organized if we did not have her around.

I do not even wish to contemplate what such a situation would be like.

Yeah, no kidding…

With her, I have no doubt that we will all stand together as a team, and we shall find the truth.

*White pawn to F4*

You can talk about friendship and cooperation all you want, but what happens if there’s some kind of schism? What if things break down or someone goes murder-happy again? Hell, what if this whole ship descends into civil war?

*Black rook to D4. White Knight captured*

I cannot see it happening, but in the unlikely even that it does, then we act to resolve the situation by whatever means necessary. We do not allow any loss of life to occur, no matter the circumstances. I stand by what I said: even if my efforts prove futile, I will persist to the very end.

*White Queen to C2*

You can’t seriously expect all of us to make it off this ship alive if that happens, can you?

*Black rook to F4. White pawn captured*

Ouma-san, I understand where you are coming from, we have escaped such situations in the past.

It seems as though we have a habit of escaping situations that would have otherwise killed us. 

As Kaede likes to say, there is nothing we cannot accomplish if we work together. Victory shall always be within our reach. And speaking of victory…

*White queen to C8. Checkmate*

Wh- 

Wow. Great work, Tojo-san, I’m impressed!

Was this request merely an excuse to have this conversation with me?

Mostly, but I also wanted to have some fun. And I got to learn a lot about you too!

Of course, there’s only so much you can learn in chess. 

Anyway, I’m going back to my room. Thanks for the game! See ya later!

*He leaves*

I wonder what his true intentions with this were…

In any event, I need to get back to my duties.