She smiles. ‘It’s the most organised chaos I’ve ever seen! Also, I heard the Martinelli drivers are coming up here in the next ten minutes!’
‘Excellent intel!’
Tiago waves as he takes the microphone and the room instantly quietens.‘Arigato gozaimasu,’he says in his very American accent, and the audience collapse into giggles. Like his ego needs any more stroking.
‘Hiya, Tiago. How are you doing?’ the interviewer asks.
Someone offstage mutters an extremely fast translation and it rings through the space.
‘I’m good, man. I’m always good,’ he says. ‘Better now I’m in beautiful Tokyo!’
Two seconds later, the crowd murmur bashfully.
‘How are you feeling about this weekend?’ the interviewer resumes.
‘Put it this way: if the car makes it to Sunday, I’ll be happy.’
‘So you’re not feeling hopeful?’
He scoffs. ‘Did youseeChina two weeks ago? A panda could’ve beaten us!’
The crowd laughs respectfully.
‘I mean, I’ll try my best,’ he goes on, ‘but finishing’s basically a podium for Leone, and I don’t see us getting there anytime soon.’
Cringe. What’s his PR manager briefing him? His answers are sackable. Sportsmen should never publicly criticise their teams, it’s media training 101. For one, they’re paying him. And two, where’s his professionalism? F1 is a team sport; it should be Leone against the world. Dissing them undermines authority, damages chemistry, lets his competitors see division, and makeshim look uncoachable. What a surprise he’s as immature at work as he is in life.
‘Tom and Étienne are here,’Nyla stage whispers.
My pulse whirs into overdrive. I need to speak to Tom before Tiago joins us. I scan the crowd and spot Étienne, charging towards Minnie and me.
You might need him. He’s useful. Ignore his spindly moustache.
‘Bonjour, ladies.’ He beams.
A wave of laughter rises from below. I wonder how else Tiago’s managed to insult his team.
‘’Ow wonderful of you to join us,’ Étienne adds.
I don’t miss how his kiss lingers a millisecond long on my cheek. I put it down to cultural differences.
‘I wouldn’t pass this up, it’s amazing in here,’ I say. ‘Martinelli sure know how to please fans.’
‘They’re certainly pleasingthisfan.’ He makes to boop my nose and I take a horrified step back just in time. He continues talking, undeterred, ‘All I’m ’earing about is ’ow impressive you think we are, ’ow amazing our events are, ’ow you think we’re the team to beat.’
‘It’s called being grateful to your hosts,’ Minnie covers with credible cynicism.
Another chorus of laughter. Tiago can’t bethatfunny. Surely.
‘Trivia time!’ announces the interviewer and, belatedly, the audience excitedly voices their approval.
‘’Ave you tried the sim yet?’ Étienne asks. ‘I’ll teach you ’ow to ’andle yourself.’
He’s Minnie’s friend. He’s Tom’s teammate. Be nice.
Be nice.
‘No thanks,’ I say with a hard full stop. Maybe if I’m brusque, he’ll get the message.
