‘Why don’t we?’ echoes Demir with a laugh. ‘Yes, going into the 2024 season, that’s our goal – we want two, and we want a Constructors’ trophy out of it as well. So we’ve put in a little extra this year, a little extra in the form of the facility we stand in right now. Not only have we built this centre with Heidelberg’s advancement in mind, but we have also cemented our commitment to our own Darien’s Regional Formula team, Rio Redenção, for whom the Ring will hopefully serve as training facility next season.’ He beams and nods my way. ‘Which brings us to a short introduction from the woman of the hour, perhaps?’
Woman of the hour?Oh, no.
I manage an awkward half-smile. ‘I’m here on behalf of Conquest Athletic. We were instrumental in the development of the technology involved in this centre, and will be driving the accompanying equipment changes that will follow across Heidelberg. My name is Shantal Sanjeevani Mangal, and I’ll be here for at least the first half of the season as your team simulator specialist. I’ll be working very closely with drivers to make best use of some of the new fixtures this centre comes with, particularly the groundbreaking simulation system,’ I explain. ‘Pending that and external matters after the summerbreak, I’ll either remain with the team physically, or continue to work remotely from London as your round-the-clock specialist.’
‘Excellent. Let’s do a quick round-the-table. We’ll start with our drivers,’ suggests Demir, though it’s less a suggestion and more an obligation.
Darien grins his dumbass grin. ‘I’m Darien Cardoso-Magalhães.’
He sneaks in a mocking wink my way, just subtly enough that no one else gives any indication of having caught it. I fight the urge to roll my eyes.
‘Raced for Heidelberg Hybridge for the past two years, this being my third. It’s super exciting; I can barely believe that we’ve got our team rooted in Rio now. So let’s make this off-season a good one, and let’s head into testing ready to bring that P1 home,’ he finishes, with a tip of his head to the guy next to him.
As much as I hate to say it, he’s well-spoken. You can see it in how easily he conducts himself, that same casual demeanour I’d seen before.
‘Miguel de la Fuente, with the misfortune of being Darien’s teammate,’ the next in line jokes, earning a cuff of his ear from Darien. ‘I’ve been with Heidelberg a year, this is my second; as for F1, I’m now six seasons deep. Pleasure to meet you, Miss Mangal. Really excited to see where things can go, especially with last season being pretty great for us.’
Miguel cues in another man, who’s easily the youngest person in the room. I hadn’t even realized he was a driver. ‘My name’s Henrique Oliveira Miranda, but you can call me Henri,’ he says with a smile, albeit a slightly nervous one. He looks like he could be just over eighteen – the Formula 1 age threshold – and appears as anxious as I feel. I decide I like him right away. ‘I’m in development this season, my first with theteam. You guys are all actually new to me,’ he says with a wry laugh, ‘so it’s good to meet you all.’
The next three members of the team are trainers to each of the drivers. I already know Celina, who works with Darien. There is also Louie, Miguel’s trainer, and Jack, who works with Henri. The other remaining staff member is named Katrina, press officer to Darien and overseer of the Ring’s PR. She’s got pin-straight blonde hair, stands inches above everyone else in the room on towering stilettos, and looks as if she will suffer no fools.
After introductions, Demir leads the bunch of us through a quick tour of the place, after which it’s time for formalities. I make my way through the rest of my obligations over the course of the morning: scanning in IDs, pointing out personalized sims and trackers in the gym that are issued to each driver. Darien is thoroughly enjoying himself now that he’s no longer got to hide behind that André act, humour dancing in his eyes as he cracks little jokes. Poor Henri looks as if he’s been positively overloaded with information. Miguel breezes through it all. The trainers, naturally, listen in like there’s prizes at the end.
Which, evidently, there are.
Before taking photos, the session that is supposed to be my cue to leave, Demir rounds us all up merrily as the trainers gawk at the sim sensors. ‘So I have heard that we have heresomeonewho is brand-new to Rio de Janeiro.’
Oh … no.
The three drivers glance about at each other, for the most part at Henri, in an attempt to single out the weak link, but he just shrugs and shakes his head like, ‘Wrong guy.’
‘Miss Mangal has never been to Brazil before,’ says Demir with a show-and-tell air to his voice. ‘She will also work asclosely with you as your own trainers. Why don’t you all get to know each other? Show her around. See the beach.’
Demir bustles off with the trainers, gesturing as he announces something about an in-depth brief on the ‘state-of-the-art gymnasium’. This leaves me with three race-car drivers, and the prospect of the most uncomfortable afternoon of my life.
Chapter Nine
Darien
‘Do they need to follow us around?’
Henri isn’t loving the security detail flanking us as we leave the complex and walk towards the parking lot. Thankfully, they back off once we’re well among the cars.
‘Not any more.’ I click my tongue. ‘Four of us. I can fit us all in, but it’ll be tight. Anyone else?’
‘Two-seater,’ declares Miguel.
‘Same,’ Henri says. Is that guy even old enough to drive?
‘All right, squeeze it is.’ I lead the walk to the AMG, just a short way across the lot.
‘Shotgun!’ yelps Henri. He’s still got a baby face which, paired with big green eyes, makes for the happy visage of a pre-schooler. He can’t be a day over eighteen.
Miguel laughs and gestures Shantal’s way. ‘Hold on, mate. You can’t call shotgun when you’re driving with a woman.’
‘I don’t really mind,’ Shantal tries. ‘It’s all the same to me—’
‘No!’ Henri protests. ‘What would it say about us if we madeyou squish into the back seat? Sorry, Miss, um, Shantal, you go ahead.’
