ALICE Ch 122

“This is a fight into the corner! Sainz wants Hamilton! Meanwhile, the gap between Bottas and Charles LeClerc is utterly miniscule. Wouldn’t want to be calling tactics for Ferrari today! Out in front, Max Verstappen still struggling to shake off Alice Wilde!”

“I have no power,” Max complains over the radio. “I have no power on the straight.”

“We hear you, Max. Defend. Defend,” Red Bull tactical tells him.

Faye Darcy’s neon pink car turns in defensively, keeping Lewis Hamilton at bay by millimeters. Two seconds ahead, Valeria Flores and Lando Norris carry on a duel that’s gone on for twenty laps.

“Lando being absolutely belabored by the red, white, and blue car of Freedom, Valeria Flores. She has latched on, and she will not let go. Lando can’t even think about catching up to Alice Wilde, let alone fighting her. Those tires have got to be bald. This is a battle of attrition and the McLaren is losing. Tire economy is widely considered to be the greatest strength of Valeria Flores, who has claimed podiums this season based on her own tactical decisions on pit timing. Brutal!”

FF1

“Get out of the way, you big Dutch baby!” Alice snaps as Max blocks her yet again. “You got to lose one sometime!”

“Please calm down, Alice.”

“Mind your business! Ugh! This guy! How’s Lando? He still keeping Val off me?”

“Barely. Be ready for a fight.”

“I’m always ready! Max! I’m coming for you! Tell him I’m coming.”

“I can’t do that, Alice.”

FF1

Glynda adopts a pained expression as she listens, teeth clenched. She covers her mic and checks on Faye, who is miraculously holding on to P5, although Sainz has overtaken Hamilton and is gaining on her. Faye hasn’t a prayer of catching Valeria Flores, but at this rate, it’s not out of the question that she can hold P5. Glynda feels nauseated. The potential is here for twenty-eight points. That is if Alice doesn’t put it in the wall trying to get by the fastest driver on the planet.

“I want defense,” Glynda says to Lora, keeping the mic covered. “I don’t give a damn about P1 this weekend.”

Lora nods.

“Alice, we need to focus on Lando.”

“Fuck Lando. Fuck Lando and his janky ship and cape. I have a race to win,” Alice snarls. “How far behind?”

Glynda puts her face in her hands.

“Half a second,” Lora replies serenely. Glynda envies that serenity.

“Faye, we need to mind the tires.”

Glynda’s hands are clasped. She squeezes tighter and tighter until it hurts.

“Do not take him on the inside,” Lora warns. “You almost locked up on sixteen last lap.”

There’s a beep in Glynda’s ear and she switches channels.

“Yes?”

“Ma’am, there’s a problem.”

Glynda’s stomach drops. “Am I going to want to hear this?”