ALICE Ch 81

Kylie's head spins as the names change positions in the ranking.

P1 Verstappen (Red Bull)

P2 Flores (Freedom)

P3 Norris (McLaren)

P4 Perez (Red Bull)

P5 Sainz (Ferrari)

P6 Hamilton (Mercedes)

P7 Wilde (FUTA)

P8 Bottas (Aston Martin)

P9 Darcy (FUTA)

P10 Woodcock (Williams)

“Bottas falls back, everyone massively slowed while Flores and Verstappen get away clean. Wilde and Norris capitalize and McLaren is now poised to be on the podium, although we’ve got quite a bit of race left to go. Sainz is noticeably losing pace and Hamilton’s hungry, but showing restraint. Meanwhile, Flores absolutely will not let go. Max Verstappen might be sweating right now!”

Kylie lets out an explosive breath and sits back, crossing, then uncrossing her legs. She can look to her left, out the gate and across the track at the pit wall, where Glynda, Lora, and the others are hunched over their screens with huge headsets covering their ears. Kylie has never been more grateful to just be a simple trainer. Formula One is stressful. It’s hard to believe that the goofy horndog that she works out with, and yes, gives the occasional handjob to, is able to handle this pressure. Kylie’s not even the one under any pressure and she feels as though she’s on the verge of a panic attack. Is it unreasonable to want FUTA to do well in the Australian Grand Prix? No.

Poor Faye, though. Faye has her own trainer, but Kylie’s seen her around. She seems sweet, and even Kylie knows that being told to move so someone can pass is the last thing that any F1 driver ever wants to hear.

“Hamilton pulling to the side. Is he retiring? He is! Oh, he’s got to be quite cross about that and there goes Wilde, that is some pace! Up into P7!”

“There’s a fight on coming into turn six! Sainz wants Checo on the inside! Can he do it? He has! Sainz is past Checo and less than a second away from the podium! And now Sissy Williams is making her move! Darcy defending!”

Kylie catches herself biting her nails.

“Sudden loss of pace by Norris. Carlos Sainz will not leave money on the table. This is a fight. Oh! That’s stubborn, that is! That will be challenged!”

Kylie doesn’t understand. Sainz just tried to get past Norris but didn’t make it. There’s something here about F1 rules, something about the car being overtaken being required to make room. She can’t keep up, but this is really good. Alice and Faye are both in the points. If they can stay this way, Glynda will be thrilled.

“Alice Wilde isn’t content with P6! She’s in DRS range and Checo is on defense, but here comes Bottas!”

Kylie covers her eyes.