Trackside Temptation (On the Grid, #1)

Chapter Three

FRANCESCA

The smell of gas and rubber made its way to my nose as I entered the circuit again. Loud noises from the cars and people infiltrated the air like an unending cacophony. It was a nice contrast to what the circuit had been like over the past few days.

I found the pit garage relatively easy, although I really should have toured the circuit before the pre-season testing.

The room was riddled with engineers and mechanics, actively trying their best to ensure the cars were set to test. The stress radiating off everyone was so evident, that I thought it would become tangible.

Matthias was over by the pit wall, talking to Nico in a conversation that seemed to be quite heated. It was probably about me or the bullshit programme I'd designed for him. I headed over to the pair, admiring the rows of pristine tyres and gleaming tools on the pathway there.

"Morning, Francesca," Nico said when he caught sight of me. He said my name slightly louder than needed, and I was sure he did that to stop Matthias from badmouthing me.

"Good morning," I beamed.

Matthias nodded as I approached the two. The dark circles under his eyes hinted at exhaustion.

"Are you ready for today?" I asked.

He gave me a smug expression. "Always."

I rolled my eyes and turned to view the garage behind me. "It's all hands-on today, isn't it?"

"Just wait until next weekend," Nico chuckled. "Once those reporters are let out of the cage you'll feel as though everyone's watching your every move."

Part of me felt a bit uneasy at the thought. Matthias van der Burg was currently the hottest topic out there. Since I had to be around him all the time, I was likely to be plastered all over the tabloids too.

But that was the job and the least of my worries.

"Okay, let's go and do a quick warm-up before you get suited up," I said to Matthias.

***

I watched the large TV as Matthias took to the track. I'd never been to a Grand Prix before, so I never knew how fast they actually went until now. One blink and he was gone.

The De Rossi cars were looking like a set of beasts. They were setting the fastest times out of all the teams, and so far, no one was even close.

Their other driver, Romain Torquato, was just milliseconds behind his teammate, flying by so fast I thought he'd become airborne. It was incredible how these racers could drive so fast without a hint of fear.

I glanced over at the garage next to ours to see the first Santoro Renault car coming out to test. The driver waved at me as he passed, so I could only assume it was Theo.

As I waved back, I noticed the De Rossi team staring down the vehicle. Their heads shook as the sleek car approached and then disappeared out onto the track.

Nico looked mad, but next to him, Matthias' engineer looked even angrier.

"What's going on?" I asked, approaching the two.

Nico let out a sigh. "That front wing looks awfully similar to our front wing from two years ago."

The engineer let out a laugh. "It's practically identical."

Santoro Renault was our main competitor this year. After a horrible end to the season for Matthias, their star driver and five-time world champion, Andy Lambert claimed his sixth title in twenty-twenty-two.