MEXICO CITY, MEXICO. OCTOBER 2023.

Jacob had obviously replied to Olivia's message although he was uncertain at first. He replied with just a simple "Thanks" and sort of left it at that. It wasn't until a couple days later Olivia replied when Jacob had just landed in Mexico, ready for the next race weekend. Esteban was in full force again but there was some controversy regarding that situation. Alpine, heavily impressed with Jacob's performance in Austin, wanted to get the Thompson in the car for more races.

Alpine were keen to keep Jacob on board and wanted him to have a seat with them next year, however McLaren were heavily against that. Jacob was scheduled to have a video meeting with Zak Brown to discuss his future at McLaren, as per the clause in his current contract.

Jake logged onto a Zoom call where he was joined by his father Marcus (who practically acted as an agent for Jake) and both Zak Brown and Andrea Stella from McLaren.

"Good afternoon, Jacob." Zak began. "It's great to see you. And hello, Mr Thompson, glad you could join us."

Jake's father responded. "Thank you, Zak. We're excited to be here."

"Hi, Zak. Hi, Andrea." Jake greeted.

"Hi, Jacob. We're glad to have this opportunity to talk to you. So, let's get straight to it." Andrea began. "You've had a good season, and your performance at Alpine has been very impressive. You were very impressive last weekend. We've been closely monitoring your progress, and we believe you're ready to take the next step.

Zak agreed. "Absolutely. As you know, we have a clause in your contract with Alpine that allows us to bring you over to McLaren. With Daniel Ricciardo's departure at the end of this season, we're looking to activate that clause and offer you a seat for the 2024 season."

"We see a lot of potential in you," Andrea added, "your adaptability, racecraft, and determination align perfectly with our team's values. We believe you can make a significant impact. We've seen you develop under our driver development programme and excel in the earlier single seater circuits too."

"We want to ensure a smooth transition for you. Our plan is to integrate you into the team as soon as possible, so you can start working with our engineers and get accustomed to our car and setup."Zak explained. "We're confident this will set you up for success next season."

Jake was filled with immense joy but kept it as professional as he could. "That sounds good, what are the next steps?"

Andrea responded. "First, we need to formally notify Alpine of our decision to activate the clause. Once that's done, we'll handle the contractual formalities and announce your move publicly. We'll also arrange for you to participate in our winter testing program and any pre-season activities.l

"We understand this is a big change, so if you have any questions or concerns, we're here to address them. Our goal is to make sure you feel supported and prepared for this new challenge." Zak reassured him.

Jake's father chimed in. "We appreciate the clarity and support. This opportunity is exciting for Jacob, and we're confident he'll thrive with McLaren. We need to see what Alpine say, I know that they have been speaking about getting Jacob in the car for the last few races of the season."

Zak nodded. "Leave that with me, Alpine will still have Jacob on their team until the last race. Once the season is over, we want Jacob to become an official McLaren Formula One driver."

"Understood." Marcus Thompson replied.

The call ended promptly and Jacob had a satisfied smile on his face. It was all coming to pieces now. The first person he called was Thierry whilst simultaneously sending a message on the group chat he had with Thierry, Jax and Sophie. Thierry picked up immediately and upon hearing the news, cheered loudly.

"I can't believe we're going to be on the grid together next year!"

Jake smiled. "I know Thi, how fucking cool is that!"

He had done it, he could now officially call himself a proper Formula One driver. He had reached his goal of becoming one and now it was onto his next big dream: winning the World Drivers Championship.

Once the call had ended, he felt the urge to call Olivia but still hadn't replied to her first message.

Liv :)

so how have you been jake? i haven't spoken to you in a long time

I'm fine thanks, how are you?

i'm good

That's good

call me jake?

Ok

He pressed the call button on his phone and it immediately started ringing. Olivia picked up pretty shortly after.

"Hey." came her voice from the other side of the phone.

"Hey, Olivia." Jacob said nervously.

"It's been a while. How are you?" Olivia's voice was warm, but there was an undertone of uncertainty. She knew there was something up as she hadn't properly talked to Jake for a long time which was a change.

"Yeah, it has. I'm good, just been really busy with the racing and all. How about you?" Jacob tried to sound casual.

"Same here, really. Lots of studio time and performances. I've missed talking to you."

There was a genuine note of longing in her voice.

"Yeah, me too."

A brief, awkward silence hung between them, each searching for the right words.

"So, um, I noticed you've been kind of distant lately. Is everything okay? I mean the last time I feel like we spoke properly was just after you left LA." Olivia finally asked.

Jacob sighed, feeling the weight of what he needed to say. "Yeah, well...I guess there's something. I found out online that you have a new boyfriend. It kinda sucked that you didn't tell me yourself."

"Oh, Jake, I'm so sorry. I didn't realise...I mean, it's not serious or anything. I guess I just didn't think it was that important." Olivia sounded taken aback, her apology sincere.

"Not important? Olivia, we've been so close, and then I had to find out through social media. It made me feel like I didn't matter." Jacob said, bitterness creeping into his voice as well as a hint of jealousy.

"Jake, you do matter to me. More than you know. I didn't mean to hurt you. It's just been complicated." Olivia explained, her voice filled with regret.

Thee was an awkward silence again, and Jacob felt that he should probably change the topic.

"Anyway, I should probably tell you something. McLaren activated the clause in my contract. I'll be driving for them next season."

"Oh my God, Jake, that's amazing! I'm so happy for you. This is huge!" Olivia's voice was laced with excitement and genuine happiness for him. "Jake Thompson, Formula 1 driver. It has a ring to it."

"Thanks Olivia." Jake replied, a smile on his face.

The call ended shortly after that and it seemed like the two were on slightly better terms than they were before. Jake checked the time and realised he was supposed to meet with the Alpine team principal, he cursed internally before rushing up and making his way there, rushing through the paddock which was still being constructed for the weekend.

He knew what this was about. It was about McLaren and Jake was filled with both apprehension and excitement. Now, he had to face the Alpine team and discuss his future. As the door opened, Otmar, Alpine's team principal, greeted him with a warm, understanding smile.

"Jacob, come on in. Have a seat." Otmar said.

"Thank you, Otmar." Jacob replied as he took a seat.

Otmar got straight to the point. "Jacob, we've had a conversation with McLaren, and they've informed us of their intention to bring you on as a driver for the next season. While we are disappointed to see you go, we understand and respect your decision."

Jacob felt a wave of relief wash over him. "I appreciate that, Otmar. Truly."

Otmar leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look on his face. "Also, we'd like you to race in the last two Grand Prixes of the season. It will be a good opportunity for you to showcase your talent one more time with us and gain more experience before your transition to McLaren. You put in a good performance last weekend and we want to utilise you a bit more. Maybe you might even change your mind."

Otmar added the last with, a cheeky smile on his face, he was obviously joking.

"That's fantastic! I'll give it everything I've got. Thank you for this opportunity."

"We believe in you, Jacob. Use these races to push yourself and show everyone what you're capable of." Otmar said.

Jacob stood up, extending his hand to Otmar. "Thank you, Otmar."

As Jacob left he felt happy but also perplexed. He knew there was politics in F1 and he knew that it was pretty ruthless but he didn't realise that they would just drop one driver for him. Esteban was a nice guy and probably deserved to finish the season but it seemed like Alpine had other plans.

Nevertheless, Jacob was thankful for the opportunities he got. And in a ruthless sport like Formula One, you had to take every chance you got.

Jacob Thompson to Join McLaren for 2024 Season After Stellar Performance in Austin

In a significant move within the world of Formula 1, Jacob Thompson, the 20-year-old racing sensation, will be joining McLaren for the 2024 season. This announcement comes on the heels of a remarkable debut performance at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, where Thompson impressed fans and critics alike with his skill and composure on the track.

Thompson, currently serving as Alpine's reserve driver, has been making headlines since his dominant seasons with Prema Racing in the junior categories. Winning the Formula 3 and Formula 2 championships in successive years, Thompson has been widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents in motorsport. His transition to a full-time seat with McLaren is just proof of his rapid rise through the ranks.

Austin Debut: A Star in the Making
The United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin was Thompson's first full race weekend in a Formula 1 car, and it did not disappoint. Starting in P15 after a solid qualifying session where he made it into Q2, Thompson showcased his potential during the sprint race by maintaining his position and finishing 13th, demonstrating a mature and calculated approach.

The main race saw Thompson truly come into his own. Despite starting from the middle of the pack, he navigated through the chaos and maintained a steady pace. The young driver had a few close calls, but his ability to remain composed under pressure was evident.

By the time the checkered flag waved, Thompson had worked his way up to P10, earning his first points in Formula 1. This performance did not go unnoticed, with many in the paddock praising his calm demeanour and racing intelligence.

McLaren's Strategic Move
McLaren's decision to activate the clause in Thompson's contract with Alpine underscores their confidence in his abilities. As McLaren looks to strengthen its line-up for the upcoming season, Thompson's addition is seen as a crucial step in their bid to climb up the constructors' standings. Thompson will be replacing Riccardo and will be Norris' teammate for next season.

The team expressed their excitement about his potential and their plans to develop him alongside their current drivers. This move also signals McLaren's long-term strategy of investing in young talent to secure future success.

A Bright Future Ahead
Thompson's journey to McLaren is a significant milestone in his career. Reflecting on his time with Alpine, Thompson expressed gratitude for the opportunities and support he received, acknowledging the role they played in his development. Alpine, in turn, has shown class and professionalism, supporting Thompson's move and allowing him to compete in the final two Grand Prix of the season as a way to gain more experience - having him replace Esteban Ocon who has been underperforming this season but will retain his Alpine seat for the next season.

As Thompson prepares for his new chapter with McLaren, the excitement and anticipation around his future continue to build. His performance in Austin has already set high expectations, and fans will be eagerly watching to see how he evolves and contributes to McLaren's success in the years to come.

With his undeniable talent and determination, Jacob Thompson is poised to become one of the standout stars of Formula 1's next generation. The 2024 season promises to be just the beginning of an illustrious career for this young driver.