@cockpitspodcast: One of the first women on the grid and already making history!
@just.girl.things: Is it just me, or is she kind of hot?
@forthef1f2fans: That stare when she gets out of the car… chills.
@girlscantoo: Talk about bringing the lion out… everyone should be scared of her.
I blinked,watching the video replay twice before I realized what I was doing. Normally, I didn't give this kind of attention much thought, didn't dive into the rabbit hole of what people were saying about me. But this was different.
I'd seen edits ofÉtiennebefore—plenty of them. He'd been the golden boy ofF1for years, a darling of the fans. There were thirst traps for days. But this was the first time I'd seen myself in that light.
I wassomeoneto people out there. Someone they were talking about, watching, analyzing.
A mixture of pride and discomfort settled in my gut. I'd worked so hard to get here, to prove I belonged, and now people were noticing. But it was strange seeing myself through their eyes—the cool, confident driver stepping into a sport that had never made room for someone like me.
The next video on my feed was another edit—this one showing a split screen of me andCallum,intercutwith clips from the press interviews.
@wemakef1edits: Frabois is already my favorite rivalry. They’re straight FIRE.
@madeformachines: Imagine the powercouple they’d make.
@booksandfastcars: LMAO book girlies, wya? This SCREAMS enemies to lovers.
I rolledmy eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. The fans were eating our “rivalry” up, turning every interaction into drama and every look into a story.
Still, as I set my phone down and stared at the starry sky, the image of me climbing out of the car lingered. Maybe I wasn't just imagining it. Maybe I really could be the positive force I'd always wanted to be in this sport.
And maybe, just maybe, it was okay to let myself enjoy the moment.
For a little while, anyway.
There would be plenty of haters. Misogynists who felt like women didn't belong on the grid beyond the extinct history of “Grid Girls.” Other drivers who felt more deserving of their seats. Champions who couldn't handle losing to a rookie.
But for now, I'd bask in the success of my debut weekend.
I leaned into the silence, letting the cool air kiss my skin as the weight of the day finally sank in. This was mine. I’d earned it.
“I don’t carewho she is—she’s a fucking problem.”
The voice cut through the night, low and angry, jolting me awake.
I stirred on the rooftop couch, the sharp chill in the air clashing with the warmth of the blanket draped over me. It took a moment to orient myself, but the voices below kept coming—quiet, clipped, and unmistakably tense.
Voices. Familiar male voices.
I stood, admiring the perfect view the terrace offered of the paddock, the three-storymotorhomesarranged like a miniature city. Itwas quiet now, save for the small cluster of figures gathered near the edge of the lot.
I crept toward the railing, crouching low to stay out of sight. My pulse quickened as I recognized some of them: MaxSchreiberandTomaszKowalski—both drivers who'd made no secret of their disdain for me. With them stoodHiroshi Takeda, who had seemed neutral toward me up until now, andAdrienMorel, another world champion on the grid. Seeing him there sent a pang through my chest. I'd grown up watchingAdrienrace, admiring his precision and flair. Knowing he might be among those who saw me as an enemy stung more than I cared to admit. He should be more mature than this at his age!
“I'm telling you, she's dangerous,” Max was saying, his voice sharp with frustration. “She's already too fast. If she gets a decent setup tomorrow, she'll take points from all of us.”
“She's not that good,”Tomaszcountered, though he lacked conviction. “It's just hype. She'll crack under pressure, especially in a fuckingLuminiscar.”
Adriencrossed his arms. “Hype or not, she's in the points already.P6isn't a fluke when she's been quick all weekend.”
Hiroshispoke next, his voice calm but firm. “We can't let her make a habit of it. She's a rookie. If we make it hard for her to stay in the points, she'll lose momentum.”
“You mean box her out,” Max said.
