No Going Back (Nyck de Vries X OC)

Welcome to New York (Race 1)

"You worry too much Kai," I retorted. He flashes me an understanding smirk. With that out of the way, I turn my attention to the more urgent matter. The first free practice session. There is a part of me that hopes that Kai's worry is unjustified. With a few swift movements, I get my balaclava and helmet on. After a quick word with Kristy, the time has come. I am quick to get comfortable in the car. After a brief pause, Kristy gives me the gesture to go. It doesn't take long for me to get the warmth into the tires.

"Kai I'm going to get the stuff in Charlie Mode Four done as soon as I get the temperature in the tires" I use the radio to inform Kai that I intend to get the full power laps out of the way first.

"Ok. Just be advised that you might have to contend with traffic," Kai responds. With permission from Kai, I make the required adjustments. Thankfully it doesn't take long for me to weave through the traffic. It was not as bad as Kai suggested but he has a habit of exaggerating. Oh well, there is not much that I can do about it. At least the car is working much better than it did in Mexico. Something tells me that the thought might jinx it. After thirty minutes of driving the first free practice has come to an end and I am filled with confidence. Ok sure there are things that can go wrong but after the free practice session, I feel much better. At least this time I am able to focus on what Kai is saying.

"Jess, you were right. I definitely worry too much. Everything was fine," Kai concludes our small debrief.

"I knew I was. I have a lot more faith in Kristy and her team than you do," I respond. After a couple of more hours of work, I am wandering through the paddock with Nyck. We are walking hand in hand which is causing people to stare. Not that it matters to me.

"So are you going to tell me about the nightmare?" Nyck asks, catching me off guard.

"Nyck it's fine," I find myself deflecting for some reason. It's not fine. After all, it gave me a panic attack.

"You'll let me know if it's not, right?" Nyck double checks. Like Kai, he worries too much. However, I understand why Nyck worries.

You'll be the first to know. I promise," I reply. It is the day after and the second free practice also went without a hitch. The thing is qualifying is the hard part. The reason is I am in group one which means I will have a challenge on my hands. Not that it's going to stop me now. I need the points that will come from me qualifying well. Right now I am watching over Kristy and Kai who are currently debating whether or not I should risk a grid drop penalty for some important replacements. I am pulled out of my thoughts by Nyck.

"What are they arguing about?" Nyck asks.

"Well, they are arguing about whether or not I should risk a grid drop penalty. Kristy discovered some issues after FP2," I explain the situation. They are arguing like a married couple.

"Sounds like fun," Nyck responds sarcastically. He is familiar with the situation.

"Yeah, I guess it is," I say with equal amounts of sarcasm.

"Anyway we should let Jess do her thing," Kristy ends the argument. With the argument out of the way, Kristy offers her hand as an offer to help me into the car. Nyck also makes his escape. I am quick to get comfortable. After another brief pause, I am sent out. I am quick to notice that I am the only one out. Because of that, I put the car into Charlie Mode Four. It is a little risky since I haven't done a proper out-lap but I need to get a couple of laps done before traffic hits. Thankfully I am able to get the out-lap done in time. After a couple of minutes, I set a few good lap times at full power. I have decided to do another lap just to be on the safe side. Again it doesn't take me long as the New York track is relatively short. I just hope that it is enough to at least get me into the Superpole shootout. With my laps done I head back to the garage. I will find out later. As soon as I come in Kristy and her team descend on the car while I rescue myself from the car.