AUSTIN, UNITED STATES. OCTOBER 2023.

The past few months had been a blur for Jacob, so much had gone on in what felt like such little time. He had left America as he planned and headed over to Austria for the next few races. Each race weekend was the same, he'd be in the garage or the pit wall for the actual race and if he was lucky, he'd get some laps in during practice. His confidence had gone up as an F1 driver and now he was just waiting for his chance to get a proper seat. It had been confirmed that Thierry would be replacing Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu and would be taking his seat at Sauber for the 2024 season. Jacob was so happy for Thierry, and they celebrated appropriately when they found out the news.

Now it was up to Jacob to secure his seat for next season, he didn't want to seem overconfident but he felt like he was in a really good position to secure a seat, even if it wasn't at one of the higher performing teams.

After he left America he continued to speak to Olivia, though that was a tough subject to talk about for him. Jacob found out that Olivia had a new boyfriend in June, shortly after he left and felt hurt and betrayed. He thought that there could've been something there between them, but he was obviously foolish and realised Olivia didn't feel the same way towards him.

As for his two other friends, they were both doing very well. The NFL season had started for Jax and he had already made an instant impact in the Chargers' side. Sophie had also been flourishing in her career, she was highly in demand in the industry right now. Her call-up to Euphoria - where she had thoroughly impressed in the auditions - had put her on a lot of people's radars. She had been searching with her team for the perfect next role to elevate her career even more.

Jacob's moment finally arrived in Austin, when Esteban came down with a pretty nasty flu on Wednesday, meaning Jacob had to step in. Despite having very little notice, he was prepared for this moment. He'd texted his friends about this sudden change and despite the short notice, all three of them showed up. Thierry was always going to come, he had October off and his final race was in November where he was sure to win the championship. Despite having a game against the Chiefs on Sunday, Jax said he would be there for qualifying and the sprint.

There was one other person who Jacob wondered was going to be there. Him and Olivia hadn't spoken as much since he found out about Adam, what hurt the most was that she didn't even tell him. He never brought up the Grand Prix again after she mentioned it when they were together. So truthfully, he wasn't expecting her to show up. He didn't let it distract him, he was here for a reason and he had a job to do.

He was filled with nerves and determination as he arrived at the Circuit of the Americas. Jake stepped out of the Alpine garage, ready for qualifying.

The first session, began with a flurry of activity. Jacob climbed into the cockpit, the familiar hum of the engine pulsing through him. He took a deep breath, focusing on what was ahead. The track was alive with the sound of engines as drivers fought for position, and Jake knew every lap counted.

As he made his way out of the pit lane, the world outside the cockpit seemed to fade away, leaving only the track and the car. His first flying lap was solid, but Jacob knew he had more to give. With each passing lap, he pushed harder, finding the limits of the car and the track. The feedback from the team over the radio was encouraging, and with a final, blistering lap, he secured a spot in Q2.

Back in the garage, the team worked quickly to make adjustments to the car. Jacob's heart raced with adrenaline, and he tried his best to stay calm and composed. He knew that Q2 would be even more challenging, with the competition intensifying and the margins becoming ever slimmer.

As the clock started for Q2, Jacob was among the first to take to the track. He pushed the car harder than before, feeling the tyres grip the asphalt as he navigated the circuit's turns. The first sector went well, but as he entered the second sector, a slight oversteer caused him to lose precious tenths of a second. He corrected quickly, but the mistake lingered in his mind.

On his final attempt, Jacob was determined to make up for lost time. He drove with precision and aggression, but as he rounded the final corner, he encountered unexpected traffic. A slower car ahead forced him to lift off the throttle momentarily, costing him crucial time. Frustration bubbled up, as he was out. P15. It was a respectable position, but he had hoped for better.

Back in the garage, the team gathered around, offering words of encouragement. Jacob climbed out of the car, pulling off his helmet and wiping the sweat from his brow. He knew that qualifying was only one part of the weekend, and there was still more to come.

Jacob nodded, taking a deep breath. He felt a mix of disappointment and determination. Qualifying P15 wasn't ideal, but it was a solid foundation. After he finished debriefing with the team, he went to his friends who all congratulated him. Jacob was always going to be hard on himself and his friends knew that but they knew that it was a result Jacob should be proud of. The pundits didn't even think he would make it out of the first round of qualifying.

That night, Thierry, Sophie and Jax spent all their time with Jacob, making sure he was relaxed as possible for the next day where it was the sprint race.

When the day arrived, the paddock buzzed with excitement and anticipation. A new day for Jacob to prove himself. As the grid formed up, Jacob's Alpine sat in the fifteenth position. Ahead of him, the cars gleamed in their liveries, each driver focused and ready. Jacob's teammate, Pierre Gasly, was starting from a promising eighth place. The two drivers exchanged a nod of mutual respect before strapping in for the sprint.

Jacob's heart pounded with a mix of nerves and excitement. He focused on the lights, his breathing as steady as it could be and his mind sharp. The lights went out, and with a roar of engines, the sprint race began.

He got a good start, his car launching off the line cleanly. He held his position into the first corner, carefully navigating the chaos as cars jostled for position. Ahead, he saw Pierre defending his spot, maintaining a steady pace.

As the laps unfolded, Jacob settled into a rhythm. The shorter format of the sprint race meant there was no room for error. Each lap was a balance between aggression and control. On lap four, he found himself in a tight battle with the Williams of Alex Albon. Jacob kept his cool, fending off Albon's attempts to overtake through the middle sector of the track.

Lap seven brought the first real scare. Heading into turn 12, Jacob was side by side with Magnussen. They both braked late, and for a moment, it seemed inevitable they would collide. But Jake's precision and quick reflexes paid off; he backed off just enough to avoid contact, while still holding his line and position.

With each lap, his confidence grew. He was not just keeping up; he was performing solidly, managing his tyres, and making smart decisions. He made impressive overtakes and found himself in P13. The gap to the cars behind him increased slightly, giving him some breathing room, though he knew any mistake could bring them right back into contention.

As the sprint race neared its end, Jacob was holding steady in P13.

"You're doing great, Jake. Keep pushing," his race engineer encouraged.

On the penultimate lap, Jacob had another close call. As he approached the fast turn, Zhou Guanyu attempted an ambitious move on the inside. Jacob anticipated it, giving just enough space to avoid a collision while maintaining his momentum through the corner. It was a tense moment, but his composure saw him through.

As he crossed the finish line in thirteenth place, a wave of relief and satisfaction washed over him. It had been a solid performance, marked by smart driving and composure.

Jacob heard the team's congratulations over the radio. "Great job, Jacob. Solid performance out there. P13 is a good result."

Back in the paddock, Jacob climbed out of the car, his body exhausted but his spirit high.

After the debrief, like yesterday, he met up with his friends again who offered him nothing but the warmest of congratulations. After saying goodbye to Jax, who had a flight to catch back to LA, he spent the night relaxing and preparing himself for the main event.

The anticipation was electric as the grid formed up for the United States Grand Prix. Jacob's Alpine was lined up in thirteenth position. The full race distance would test his endurance and strategy. It was his first proper Formula 1 race, and he was determined to make it count.

The opening laps were intense, with battles unfolding all around him. Jacob remained composed, carefully picking his moments to attack and defend. By lap five, he had yet again settled into a rhythm, his car feeling balanced and responsive. His team kept him updated on the gaps and strategy over the radio, and Jacob knew that patience and precision would be key.

Around lap ten, the first round of pit stops began. The team opted for a longer first stint, aiming to capitalise on fresher tires later in the race. As the pit window opened, Jacob executed a brilliant overtake into turn 1, using the slipstream to his advantage and braking late but controlled.

By the midpoint of the race, Jacob had worked his way up to P11. The strategy was playing out well, and he felt confident in the car's performance. The team called him in for his pit stop, a crucial moment that could make or break his race. The pit crew was flawless, and Jacob rejoined the race just ahead of a battling pack.

As the race entered its final stages, the tension mounted. Jacob was now in P10, a points-paying position, but he pressure behind him. Lap after lap, he defended his position with skill, placing his car perfectly to prevent any overtakes.

With five laps to go, a late-race safety car was deployed following an incident further down the field. The pack bunched up, erasing any gaps. Jacob's heart raced, knowing that a perfect restart would be crucial. As the safety car pulled in and the race resumed, he nailed the restart, maintaining his position.

The final laps were a blur of concentration and adrenaline. Jacob pushed hard, extracting every bit of performance from his car. As he crossed the finish line in P10, a wave of elation and relief washed over him. He had done it, his first Formula 1 race and he had scored points. In a car like the Alpine, getting any points was a momentous occasion and Jake had done it in his first race.

Back in the paddock, the team gathered to congratulate him. The atmosphere was jubilant, and Jacob's smile was infectious. He climbed out of the car, the exhaustion evident on his face, but the joy overwhelming.

After the celebrations with the team, Jacob made his way to the hospitality area, where two familiar faces awaited him - Thierry and Sophie.

"Jacob! You were amazing!" Sophie exclaimed, throwing her arms around him in a warm hug.

Thierry clapped him on the back, his grin wide. "First race and you're already in the points! Man, I knew you had it in you."

Jacob laughed, feeling a rush of happiness at seeing his friends. "Thanks, guys. It's a different ball game out there, but we did it."

They found a quiet spot to sit and talk, away from the bustle of the paddock. Thierry, ever the analyst, couldn't help but dive into the details. "That overtake on Stroll was something else. And your defense was perfectly executed."

The rest of the day was filled with laughter and happiness, it was definitely the first race of many and the first points to Jacob's name of many.

Liv :)

well done jake, i'm so proud of you 💜