Page 56 of Formula Chance

I choose my words carefully, thinking particularly of Hendrik, the chief engineer. “There are some here who are going to buck against a female driver, but I suspect you can set the tone for that.”

“Do I need to set the tone now?” she asks, again making me feel like she knows something about my situation.

“I think I have everything under control,” I assure her, and if I’m not mistaken, I see respect flare in her eyes.

“I don’t know Francesca personally,” Brienne admits. “Does she have the ability to handle the hurdles that will come just by virtue of her sex?”

“I’ve talked to her on a few occasions, and I’ve studied many of her races. I’ve watched interviews, and Nash knows her pretty well as they were both at the Bauer academy together. But from what I know… yeah, she’ll easily handle her toughest critics.”

Brienne beams in satisfaction as she stands. “That’s what I needed to know.” I scramble out of my chair. “And Bex, if you need my help with anything, please don’t hesitate to contact me.”

“I appreciate it,” I say as I follow her to the door.

She stops before reaching for the knob and turns to look at me. “How are things with you and Nash? You seemed friendly enough when I observed you down in the garage.”

“We’re getting along very well, thank you.”

Brienne’s lips curve upward. “Let me be nosy… is there a chance you two have reconciled?”

I can’t stop the blush, which I guess gives her somewhat of an answer, so I don’t think about lying. “We’re taking things one day at a time,” I say, unwilling to offer more details than that.

“Well, good luck. And I mean that sincerely. As someone who’s recently found my soulmate, I’m a big fan of romance.”

The words are so silly I want to snort, but at the same time, they make my heart pulse, thinking of all the opportunity Nash and I might have to reach a happily ever after if I can just get him out of his own head.

CHAPTER 19

Bex

The roar ofthe engines as the cars idle on the grid sends a vibration through pit lane, the sound somewhat muted by my headset. The Melbourne Global Prix is about to begin, and I’m already sweating—partly because of the tension and partly because of the blazing Australian sun. It’s hotter today than it’s been all week and we’re going to have to watch the data carefully because the track conditions have changed.

The drivers have completed their out-lap—a trip around the track where they weave side to side to warm up their tires and brakes. When they finish, they come onto the grid, lining up in two staggered rows according to their qualifying placements. Every detail matters in these moments… the temperature of the tires, the feel of the car, the mental focus of the driver. They’re all critical pieces of a high-stakes puzzle.

From my position on the pit wall, I glance at the monitors in front of me, showing telemetry and live video feeds. Nash is lined up P3 on the grid, a strong starting position. Matthieu, however, is farther back in P8. While he finished in P6 yesterday, two other drivers had better runs and leapfrogged ahead of him. It’s not where we want him to be, and it’s left me with a tough decision about his strategy.

Taking a big but calculated risk could pay off—or backfire spectacularly.

I’ve decided to split the strategies. Nash will start on the medium tires, the safer and more versatile compound since he’s got a great starting position on the grid. If he can make a clean getaway and defend his position, we can employ other strategies to move him up. Matthieu, however, is going to need a more daring game plan. I will start him on soft tires—the faster but less durable option. It’s a calculated gamble meant to help him gain positions early in the race and we’ll later use a bold undercut strategy to leapfrog the cars ahead.

I glance at Hendrik seated next to me. He’s skeptical—no, outright opposed—to the plan, and he hasn’t been shy about making his opinion known.

“I still think it’s a mistake,” he says, leaning in so only I can hear. “The softs will degrade too quickly on this track, especially given the higher temperature. He’ll lose pace before the first stint is even over.”

“It’s a risk, yes,” I reply, keeping my voice calm and professional, “but the data still supports the idea, even with the hotter temperature. If Matthieu can push early and build a gap, we can bring him in for the undercut before anyone else reacts. It’s his best shot for a top ten finish.”

An undercut is a tactic to gain positions, but it’s all about timing. It’s a method whereby we’ll call Matthieu in to pit earlier than his nearest competitors and put him on a fresher set of tires, which will theoretically make him faster. You get him in and out of the pit fast enough, and he can keep fast pace, he’ll ultimately move farther ahead of the other cars when they pit. It’s always a risky strategy, but when timed right, it can win races.

While it’s probably a long shot to get Matthieu on the podium, I’m confident we can get him higher than his original P8 starting position, and I’ll consider any top ten finish a win since the team will get points for that.

“But if you start him on the mediums, it’s almost assured he’ll stay in the top ten and we’ll get guaranteed points,” Hendrik points out.

Yes, that is the super safe strategy, but I’m tired of Matthieu not seeing my value. I wasn’t hired to be conservative but to get wins, and I want Matthieu to place as high as possible.

It will go a long way toward earning his respect.

“It will work,” I say confidently. “I know how to do my job.”

Hendrik’s eyes narrow, his jaw tightening. “And if it doesn’t work?”

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