Rise Up

Chapter 34: Back in the game

Ready to get back on track. 

Helmet, gloves, balaclava, suit, knee brace. I had everything I needed for the race. The engine is already on, roaring in the box, surrounded by a bunch of mechanics and a group of VIP guests, included my parents. 

Today we came back racing, for the first GP of the 2022 season, in Bahrein. Tomorrow will be my birthday too. In other words everything was going perfectly ok.

"And radio check, radio check Kiara."

"Glad to hear your voice again Fred, loud and clear by me."

"Perfectly fine also here. Let's smash it today, as always."

"Fred, I was wondering... do you know why flamingos are pink?"

I was already in the car. I had this strange habit to jump in the car as soon as I could, mostly to avoid everyone's attention. The track was filled with mechanics, reporters and journalists, special guests and of course some team principles. With my visor up, I was sat comfy in my lovely car, ready to focus on the upcoming race.

"Ehm, no. I don't know why. I guess you do though."

"Of course I do. It's because they eat special seaweeds that contain some particular red bacterium. Through the digestion, the red pigment became pink in their plumage."

"Interesting. Thanks for telling me. Now please, stop thinking about flamingos and focus."

I giggled at his words. The track got empty, the last mechanics waved at me and wished me good luck, patting my helmet. I fixed the gloves on my hands, checking also the steering wheel, to be sure everything was alright for the start.

The whole circuit was well lighted for the night race. Special visors on our helmet to be able to see and not be distracted by annoying lights. The grandstands were vibrating for the fans' tension. The red lights caught my attention. I was ready, with the correct gear already in and with my right foot positioned on the throttle.

"And it's lights out and away we go! Welcome back to Formula 1, here with the first of 23 GPs, starting in Bahrein. What a start from both the Ferraris, they looked pretty fast this year, let's see how it goes."

I was 100% focus on the race. I've already avoided a few contacts as everyone is hungry to race again, to show how much the car is improved, to demonstrate how ready we are after the long break. 

In my mirror I saw an orange car getting closer. I knew I couldn't push too much, as we were on plan A, consisted on maximum two stops. Basically these tires had to last at least other ten laps.

The strategy was good. Pierre managed to make an undercut on one of the Williams, thanks to me as I remained on track. Then we switched position and I had my pit stop, a short and smooth one. As soon as I drove out of the pitlane, again an orange car was behind me, getting closer and closer, while I was struggling with the hard tires.

"You sure it was the best to put hard tires? I have no grip."

"We think it's the best to stay out the longest. Let's see if you can stand them. Anyway Norris behind you, at 1.2 sec. Push mode, Kiara."

Lando was behind me. It was strange to be back enemies on track and lovers off track, but I guess we have to get used to it.

The race finished smoothly, with a modest P8, at least for me. Pierre got DNF due a motor failure, instead both McLaren were at the bottom of the grid.

When I got out of the car, Fred and Franz were the first to hug and congratulate me. As soon as I finished some interviews, I came back to my parents. Seeing them proud of me, made my heart fill with pure joy. Also Pierre and Horner came to pat my back, although their disappointments.