She swivels towards the crew. ‘Are we ready?’
They nod in various levels of minimal enthusiasm, and who can blame them? They’re squeezed into the quarter of the room not visible on camera. No doubt underpaid too.
When I look back at Minnie, she’s watching me. I could flatter myself and think she’s checking me out, but the realist in me knows she’s taking in Media Jack. I’m sitting more upright, my expression the polite side of friendly. I don’t lie, I sanitise.
I’m a role model, a charity spokesperson and an ambassador for global brands. Being the reigning champion makes me the face of the sport. Other drivers can caricature themselves – Tiago’s playboy, Étienne’s firecracker, Ross’ ‘charming’ jokester,Eilo’s mute (and personality-less) dark horse – but not me. I have to be confident but not cocky. Competitive but not ruthless. Likeable but not bland. And at the heart of it all: investment-worthy.
‘Ready?’ Minnie asks.
I smile.
‘We’re two races into the season and you’ve won both. Not a shabby start,’ she begins.
‘Not at all.’
‘How are you feeling going into race three?’
‘I’m feeling good. We managed to straighten out our biggest issues in pre-season testing and the car’s in great shape.’
‘You’ve spoken a lot about Martinelli’s race pace being something you guys are watching. Is that still a cause for concern? The Albert Park Circuit doesn’t take any prisoners.’
My lips twitch. ‘I’d never go so far as to say it was a cause for concern.’ She really underestimates Pagari’s arrogance. And mine. ‘But we’re pleased with how the car’s developed over the last couple of races. As for Albert Park, it’s one of the fastest tracks in the calendar?—’
‘Four DRS zones will do that,’ she chips in.
Those notes weren’t just for show, hey? Being impressed would be ridiculous – her dad’s one of the greatest drivers in motorsport, and every F1 journalist knows the tracks back to front. Even so, it’s pretty hot. Makes a change from girls being like,‘Is your car the black one?’
‘Right,’ I say. ‘Its high-speed corners and long straights really play to our strengths, so we’re feeling confident going into qualifying.’
‘Let’s talk about your mindset more generally: two world titles; sixty-one wins. What do you say to those speculating that you’re becoming…’ she roots around for the word, ‘complacent?’
My eyes widen. ‘Complacent?’ Yes, I know all media outlets are saying the same thing, but it stings more coming from her. I think it’s the bow. It’s so adorable it’s messing with my head.
‘It’s understandable if you are. It must get a bit boring not being challenged. It’s not really racing if you’re just driving for fifty-eight laps.’
‘Some might say it’s more boring not getting the opportunity to fight for a win,’ I counter smoothly. Pagari’s comms team will be so proud of my expert fielding.
‘That’s also true.’
‘I’m as ambitious as when I first started. My motivation’s changed – it’s all about making the gap bigger and staying on top. The challenges are different but they’re still there.’
‘Good answer. Now, we’d be remiss to go this whole interview and not mention your teammate.’
Here we go. ‘We would indeed.’
‘Everyone knows a driver’s biggest enemy is his teammate, and Micah looked more competitive than ever in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Do you feel like he could be a real threat this year?’
I want to give her what she wants – I want to give her a lot of things – but, in this sport, there’s one cardinal rule: the team is king. I leave a swollen, loaded pause which she’s smart enough to read like a book. ‘Our fight’s with Martinelli this weekend. Who knows after that.’
She shrugs like it was worth a try. What a cheeky minx.
‘Finally, to finish off, I have some quick-fire questions for you,’ she says, those beautiful blue eyes sparkling.
Why do I have a feeling this wasn’t in her excessive notes? I rest my arm along the back of the sofa. ‘Hit me.’
She swipes her flicky side bang back with the gentlest touch. ‘Night out or night in?’
‘These days, night in.’
