Chaos on the F1 Grid

Introduction: Eleanore

She jolted awake at the feel of the plane landing, wow she slept most of the flight and she felt relief wash over her. That relief was quickly replaced when she stepped off the plane into the sweltering 32degree heat of Bahrain.

What fresh hell is this?

She thought to herself trying to breathe despite the insane heat that she felt was overpowering her and filling her lungs like fire, she grabbed the water bottle from her backpack and chugged it all as she made her way to the building for passport control. She knew that F1 was sending someone to meet her at baggage claim, so while she queues for a stranger to check her passport, she checked her phone for the details.

Holy shit no way?!

Was all her mind could process when she saw that she would be met by none other than Stefano Domenicali. Head of F1... why on Earth was he the one to meet her? This must be a joke, but when she passed through the passport check and walked into the baggage claim she saw him and who she assumed was his assistant waiting. She took a moment to compose herself and big herself up to be confident, then walked over to him with a smile on her face.

Stefano: ah Eleanore lovely to meet you, welcome to the F1 family.

Eleanore: thank you so much Mr Domenicali, I'm thrilled to be a part.

Stefano: please call me Stefano. This is my assistant who has some welcome packets for you, and once we have your bag we will chat in the car on the way to the track. It's hit the ground running I'm afraid.

Eleanore: best way to start a job!

She wasn't lying, she preferred to be busy when it came to work. They continued with small talk until they got into the car when Stefano explained to her that she would be meeting the teams today.

Fuck!

Eleanore had planned on getting to the hotel, showering, reviewing the dossier she created, and having a nap before a full day tomorrow. She had not planned, even remotely, for the reality she was now faced with. If anyone could rally it was Eleanore. At least that's what she told herself while Stefano filled her in on the current team line ups and the concerns F1 has about image. She knew this was going to be a difficult job, she would have to monitor all of the social media and come up with strategies to deal with any possible scenario, as well as work on what happened last season. Right now, she just needed to focus on meeting the drivers and team principals, tomorrow she would sit down with the media managers for each team and their communication departments, hopefully to get a full picture of their media strategies for the year and their calendars. This will certainly help her keep track. She felt the nerves building up as she walked through the paddock to the F1 building where the drivers were waiting inside, she wasn't sure what to expect, but she certainly hadn't anticipated hearing the voice of Sebastian Vettel as she walked into the building.

Sebastian: Daniel, put Lando down! I mean it. Come on put him down.

Danny: oh, come on Seb, let us have some fun.

Lando: no, put me down.

Carlos: jajajaja pick up 4 Nando!!!

Fernando: puta madre (motherfucker)

Pierre: I'm telling you it's what I saw. They were together.

Charles: really????

Pierre: yeah. Arthur was there, he saw too!

Arthur: I was where?! What? Huh?

Mick: oh boy

What on Earth were they up to, she asked herself and regretted it instantly when she opened the door and saw the chaotic scene in front of her. Daniel Ricciardo was stood on a chair on the table in the middle of the room, holding Lando upside down by his feet, while on the other side of the room Carlos, Fernando, and Esteban were in what can only be described as the most heated game of UNO ever played. On the far side of the room Charles, Arthur, Mick, and Pierre were huddled together, though Mick looked more like he was being held hostage in the conversation, all while Lewis was listening to music and doing his best to ignore the chaos around him. The two maxes were watching the chaos and every now and again egging on either Daniel or Charles, while George, Checo, and K mag seemed to each be reading a magazine. The only ones missing were the Alpha Tauri boys and the Williams. Though they quickly made an appearance as they almost fell into the door – clearly, they had been running late. A reality that didn't go unnoticed by the other drivers as she heard one of them quoting: late is the hour in which this conjured chooses to appear. Hmmm a lord of the rings fan. George Russell– who would have thought.

Eleanore cleared her throat and the room fell silent. The 20 men suddenly becoming aware of the presence of a woman amongst them. They all slowly turned to her, looking as guilty as if she caught them with their hands in the cookie jar. She burst out laughing, unable to hold it in and they all visibly relaxed. So, this is F1 she thought to herself. Game on let's go!