Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Oh wow.
Holy shit, this is big.
I stare out the small window that overlooks pit lane with the track just on the other side. Brienne remains quiet, allowing me the time to contemplate.
Francesca Accardi is an amazing driver hailing from Italy. She currently races in FI2, one level below FI racing, and if she came up, she’d be the first and only female driver to race at this level. It would shatter the ceiling for females in this sport.
But a thought strikes me hard, and I look back to Brienne. “You already have two drivers here at Titans Racing. Who would you cut?”
Brienne’s laugh is husky and amused. “I can tell by your tone you’d be disappointed if I said Nash was on the chopping block.”
“He’s the best driver,” I say. That’s the truth.
“I would buy out Matthieu’s contract or extend him a position in development driving. But then again, we have to see how the race plays out tomorrow, won’t we?”
My stomach sinks. If Nash has a bad race—and I potentially would be an integral part of such a failure—he could lose his shot in FI.
I can’t let that taint my opinion though. This is too important. “Accardi is a tremendous driver. I’ve been following her closely and I think she has what it takes to compete at this level.”
And that’s saying a lot.
Formula racing isn’t designed with women in mind—not yet, anyway. It’s not about skill because there are plenty of female drivers with the talent to compete at the top level. But the physical demands of the sport are grueling, and the cars themselves are engineered for an ideal driver physique that’s tall enough for leverage but compact enough to fit into the tight cockpit. Add to that the immense g-forces the driver endures, which puts extraordinary strain on the neck and core muscles, and the stamina required to maintain focus at over three hundred kilometers per hour for two hours straight, it requires peak physical strength and conditioning.
It’s not impossible for a woman to handle it—far from it—but the reality is that fewer women are encouraged or given the same opportunities to develop the physical and mental conditioning necessary to thrive in this world. That’s why someone like Francesca Accardi, who’s dominated in FI2 and proven she has the strength, skill and mental resilience, is such a rarity—and why I can’t dissuade Brienne from this idea. I don’t know any other team that would be willing to give her the 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 of the 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.