The midfield includes teams that compete for points but typically don’t contend for the top spots.
Then there are the teams that struggle the most, often ending without points.
Currently, the three teams that appear to be the strongest are fighting for the top spot.
First, we have the Bugatti team. A relatively new team on the grid, but with money-heavy sponsors backing them, they have advanced faster than the average team.
Then we have Audi, which has been a top team for the past decade and was last year’s winner in both the constructors’ and drivers’ championships.
Lastly, we have the BMW team, also known as the Luke Hastings team.
Just as I think about him, his name jumps to the top of the board, securing him the top spot with thirty seconds remaining in qualifying.
If no one else goes faster than him, he will be in pole position, meaning he will start the race from the best position on the grid.
The seconds tick down as more drivers cross the finish line, but no one can beat Luke’s time. When the checkered flag waves and he remains unbeatable, the screens fill with celebration scenes in the BMW garage and their pit wall, where the team principals and strategists sit.
“He is living up to his image quite well, don’t you think?” Steve asks me. Everyone refers to Luke as the golden boy, the one who is expected to win the championship this year.
“Yeah, I guess so.” I start writing the standings of the top ten drivers.
Partof my job is to prepare questions and analyses we can use during our interviews after qualifying. Even though I won’t be the one asking the questions, I still feel satisfied that my work will be part of Star News coverage.
We are setting up in the interview zone and getting ready to conduct our interviews. With Andrew as our main reporter, Star News often covers the top stories of an F1 weekend. He’s well respected in the paddock and among the teams and drivers.
I’m standing behind the camera as Luke approaches our interview spot.
A part of me wants to come up with an excuse to step away for a few minutes while Andrew conducts the interview.
The other part tells me to stop being a coward and do my job.
Working here will make me meet with Luke, just like any other driver, so I might as well deal with it.
Hopefully, that will make him move on with his antics and get bored with me.
I’m writing up the notes from Andrew’s last interview when he calls Luke over to our spot.
I feel my pulse pounding as he gets closer and takes the spot beside Andrew.
“The golden boy of not just this qualifying, but this whole season, if you keep this up, Luke Hastings! Tell us about your lap that secured you pole position for tomorrow.” I look up from my book and into his eyes, which are already trained on me.
He smiles and begins answering Andrew’s question, occasionally glancing at Andrew before fixing his eyes back on me.
Even though I hate to admit it, the tension between us is affecting me more than I’d like.
Andrew continues to ask Luke about his expectations for Sunday and whether he believes the forecast of heavy rain will make it more difficult to secure a win.
“I’m confident I can take the victory home, no matter the weather conditions. Hopefully, the rain won’t make me slip and knock someone over out on the track or in the paddock.” He winks at me, and Andrew wraps up the interview.
He makes me feel flustered all over again, and I focus on regaining control. I’m a grown woman, for Christ’s sake, get it together.
I turn around, searching for anyone I can ask an irrelevant question to get away, but before I can take two steps, I feel a touch on my elbow.
“Not so fast, princess. Can we talk?” Luke asks me. I hesitate, glancingaround the paddock and all the people mingling nearby.
It’s only a matter of time before he’s called into another interview.
I can handle this, handle him.
