Chapter 49 - 2022

                                    

                                          
'And we go racing, here at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Baku. It's a good start for Charles Leclerc, keeping pole position, followed by Sergio Perez, Max Verstappen and his teammate Maya Woods.' 
I fight to keep my thoughts contained as I negotiate the tight turns of the Azerbaijan circuit. It's a street track, so very little room for error, but still I can't quite keep myself focused. 
The past couple of weeks has been a constant stream of paperwork, emails and stress. I've been in permanent communication with my lawyer, trying to reach some settlement for my dad, who's staying in my flat in Rome until I can find a house for him somewhere. Turns out the only option for him is divorce, which unfortunately requires the consent of my mum. And, just to add to that, there are disputes over property and money, because technically my dad has nothing, but I'm determined to get some assets for him, to make up for everything he's put up with over the years. Then, the cherry on the cake was my mum turning up in Rome, looking for him, which forced us to file for a restraining order to keep her away. All while I'm half way across the world. 
It's just been a fucking nightmare, to be honest. 
So many times, I've been unable to sleep and just really wanted someone to talk to. I'm supporting my dad now, as well as myself, and I could really do with a friend. But Charles hasn't spoken to me since Monaco, and I'm too proud to reach out. Danny's done the best he can, but he's not been 100% either, these past few weeks, and I don't know what to do to help him. I end up looking after him too, rather than the other way around. 
I really need Charles. 
Get a grip. You don't need anyone. You've coped with situations like this before, you can cope now. You've just got to focus. 
I have to focus. 
I'm currently running in P4, having kept my place till now. We've been saving tyres for the first half of the race, and it's time to start pushing. 
'Verstappen 2.2 ahead.' I'm told over the radio. 'You can start to push.' 
'Copy.' 
Focus up, Maya. Shit's getting real. 
I start to accelerate more between corners, gradually closing the gap to Max in front. Charles is P2, down from P1, and I can just see the back of his car disappearing around the corners ahead of me, Max between the two of us. If I can put the pressure on, Charles might be able to pull even further ahead and catch Checo, who's holding first. I get my foot down. 
But, as I pull into one of the turns, something sputters and goes in the car. I try to brake and turn, but it's no good. The hydraulics have failed and the car is totally undrivable. 
'Fuck.' I mutter under my breath, as the radio crackles into life. 
'Maya, what is it.' 
'Hydraulics completely gone.' I sigh, allowing the car to roll into the runoff zone, away from the track. 'It's fucked.' 
I climb tiredly out of the car, too exhausted to even feel angry. At this point, having car issues is not a surprise. Both me and Charles have been screwed over multiple times this season, if not by car reliability, then by poor strategy, slow pitstops, bad planning. 
I make the short walk of shame back to the garage, where Mattia is waiting for me. 
'Mi dispiace, Maya.' He says, sadly. I swear, every time I see him, Mattia looks a few years older. 
'Non ti preoccupare.' Don't worry. I send him an unconvincing smile. 'Charles è ancora in gara.' Charles is still in the race. 
'Hm.' Mattia hums, 'Per ora.' For now.