I am currently getting ready for a crucial race but I am not looking forward to it. The reason is It is my last race before making the jump to Formula1. I will miss the support that my team has given me, especially my teammate Mick Schumacher. Even though I feel sad leaving Prema it is overcome by the joy of going to Mclaren. I bring my focus back to the task ahead of me. I am lucky that I am close to winning the Formula 2 championship. The thing is even if I don't win it I feel that I have earned my place in Mclaren even with all of the media fuss surrounding my backstory as a driver. All of these thoughts circle my mind as I pull my balaclava over my head. I pause my routine since the team principal has approached. He is probably going to give me an extra briefing since I have been known to be a little too aggressive.

"Just as a reminder you only need to finish fifth and you won't need to be aggressive," He announces. Yup, I was right. At least he is doing it because he cares. Whether or not he cares more about the car or his drivers. I haven't figured that part out.

"I know but I will try my best to win," I responded. We will see what happens. The thing is I want to prove to people that I deserve a seat in Formula 1. The team principal gives me a supportive pat on the back as he leaves to take his position on the pit wall. The gesture makes me realise that I am going to miss the team more than I thought. I quickly finish my routine by securing the helmet on my head. The race soon gets underway. I am impressed at the fact that I am able to get a good start.

"Can someone tell me the gap to the driver in front?" I use the radio to get an update. I know I am close to the driver in front but I will only make a move when I know the exact time.

"0.2 seconds. Just be careful," My lead engineer replies. A warning from the team principal no doubt. The reason why I have been told to be careful is the fact that I have a lot to prove. It makes me do stupid things. Despite the small gap to the car in front I am going to wait to follow through with a complete overtaking maneuver.

"Thank you," I responded. I get to work on initiating a dummy maneuver. It seems to have worked. After thirty seconds we have reached a good spot on the track and I make a committed move. I find it uncomfortably close but I make it stick. Now I am in fourth place so I relax a little. After five more laps, I have decided to go for another overtake. I am about to complete the maneuver but I have to take evasive action to avoid the driver in front who has locked up. I am a little relieved that I was quick enough to get out of the way.

"Niki are you alright?" The team principal checks on me.

"I was able to pull out of the overtake before any damage was done," I reply. Lockups are a common occurrence so it is easy to overcome. Even then there are some dumb drivers who have no idea what they are doing. The next few laps are a blur as I manage to overtake both drivers in front. I put it down to the fact that Prema knows how to get the best performance from the car. I am guessing that it is unheard of to gain six positions in a sprint style race. I know it is possible but I am still impressed with my performance. I bring the car to a stop in the Parc Ferme area. I am greeted by the team who are just as happy as I am. Mick is the first to give me a hug. It has been a few hours since my victory and the drivers are being treated to a team celebration.

"I would like to congratulate Niki on her successful outing. Here's to her future," Mick opens the celebration with a toast. I can feel myself sink into the chair with embarrassment. As always I can't take all of the credit.

"Thank you Mick but you know I can't take all of the credit," I retort. At least I know Mick will be my biggest ally in Formula 1 even though he is joining Haas. The thing is I am going to have to grin and bear it if I am to enjoy the last night with my now-former team. There is a little sadness but I am glad that I get to celebrate with them. It has been a couple of months since the celebration and I am nervous. Today is the day that the preseason for Formula 1 starts. That means I will have a fresh start. The thing is I don't know why I am nervous. I put it down to the fact that I have to prove myself all over again.

"You know you don't have to be nervous. My name is Lando," My new teammate remarks, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Niki. I know. It's just the fact that I am one of the new rookies," I reply. I am glad that I have Mick and Yuki Tsunoda to back me up despite the fact that we are all competitive. Although I do feel sorry for Mick since he is paired with the worst person as a teammate.

"You'll do fine. In fact, you have the best chance out of the rookies," Lando says. He is right I have the best car at my disposal, unlike the others. I won't have to worry about anything unless I do something stupid. I will try my best to avoid it. After a quick chat with Lando, the rest of the team have joined us. Thankfully it is a short briefing since everyone knows what they will be doing today. After ten minutes of waiting, I have finally been given the go-ahead to start the testing.

"Niki, feel free to go crazy," my lead engineer announces via the radio.

"I'd rather not go crazy but I'll definitely push as hard as I can," I respond. My response sounds stupid but I am seriously worried about screwing up and ruin my chances at Mclaren. I mean the team boss Zak Brown will be willing to give me a second chance. After forty-five minutes of driving the first day of testing has come to an end. I am happy with the outcome of my first outing as a full time Formula 1 driver. I am about to leave for the night when I am pulled aside by Zak. This can't be good. I brace myself for some bad news.

"Niki, I need to talk to you," Zak announces.

"What can I do for you boss?" I ask. I am probably overplaying the nature of the conversation but I can't help it.

"You don't need to worry about stuffing up. You lack the experience that Lando has. I want you to make sure that you ignore the media and do your best," Zak gives a small but surprising speech. I am glad that he has my back for now but at the same time, there is a little voice in my head that is telling me that I should have left the world of motorsports when I was karting. At least the only pressure on me is from the media. The good thing is my three-year stint in Formula 2 has given me some time to prepare for the media stuff. Zak and I part ways for now. I am about to climb into my car but again I am stopped.

"See I told you that you don't have to be nervous," Lando remarks. He is right.

"Yeah well, nothing is going to stop me from worrying. I am however glad that you and Zak have my back," I reply. I know that is going to change when the season gets underway. I get the feeling that Lando and I will be friends off track but enemies on the track. Not that it matters. I just need to focus on getting the data for the team.

"Oh before I forget we have a team dinner tonight," Lando reminds me. Thankfully he did since it slipped my mind with all of the other stuff that has gone on. It has been a couple of hours since the testing came to an end and I have mustered the energy to join the team for the outing. Despite the tiredness, I am enjoying myself.

"So why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself?" Lando decides that it is time to get to know me a little better. The thing is there is not much to tell yet. There is a reason why I don't want to tell him everything yet. I guess it will come out soon anyway.

"There is not much other than the fact that I grew up in Montreal and I am surrounded by controversy," I reply. I wish there wasn't controversy but life had other ideas.

"Montreal. That explains the French last name and the lack of a French accent," Lando responds. I am surprised that he isn't asking about the controversy or the reason why I wanted to go into Formula 1 as a female driver. It is a story that I am not ready to share yet. Lando will be the first to know that's for sure.

A/N Another victim of my re-writing spree. Please vote and/or comment if you enjoy this story.