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“Xavier Valente, you just won your last home Grand Prix! From fifth to first, that’s the best performance I’ve seen all year. Congratulations, you absolute legend,” my mechanic says through the mic.
The tears that had threatened to spill throughout the race finally cascaded down my cheeks, a testament to the emotional weight of the moment.
I did it.
I had a shit year, but this is the perfect way to end it. I don’t have to win the drivers’ championship. All I had to do was win at home.
“This one’s for you, Dad,” I whisper in dedication to him.
Against all odds, against the fiercest competition, and against the rain—I emerge a winner at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The elation that surges through my body is indescribable.
The triumph was not only mine—it belongs to the team that’s supported me, the fans who cheer me on, the sport that has shaped me into the driver I am today, Vio who shows me love, and my dad who believed in me every step of the way.
As I stand on the podium, drenched in champagne and surrounded by my competitors, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of gratitude.
This was not just a victory—it was a testament to the power of dreams, the strength of the human spirit, and the unwavering pursuit of life.
“This Brazilian Grand Prix is a sad one. Our golden boy, Xavier Valente, has an announcement he would like to make,” Jackson Owens says somberly, passing me the microphone.
Confetti is flying everywhere; the fans are happy at this moment.
A sense of sadness washes over me as the moment I’ve been dreading has come.
“Thank you, Jackson. I have some news that I know might not be the happiest, but just know that I’m not going to be on those crazy diets anymore, so I will be eternally in heaven.” I chuckle at my own comment. “I’ve decided to retire after years of this sport being my life. I am forever indebted to the people who have supported me along this journey. The title you’ve given me, and the home you have built in my heart will forever stay.” Here come the tears. “God, I sound like one of those cheesy quotes that you see in poetry books online.”
I laugh, leaning my head back, trying to control my emotions from crossing my face.
“This is harder than it looks, I swear!” I defend myself and everyone laughs along with the cheers. “The Brazilian Grand Prix will forever hold a special place in my heart. It’s a race that epitomizes the intensity, passion, and relentless pursuit of greatness. And as I’ve savored the wins, I know that even though my Formula One career has come to an end, the memories of this race will forever burn brightly, igniting my spirit for the next chapter of my life. You guys have let me burn my brightest even when I was in my darkest moment. My career is here to show all of you that you can go through tough times and be at your worst, yet get back up and pick up the pieces. I decided to announce this here, because Brazil is my home. It’s where I feel the most comfortable because I’m surrounded by my own.Eu amo todos vocês.” I finish my words, my voice breaking on occasion as I hold back my tears.
I hand Jackson the microphone, but he hands it to Ale instead of keeping it.
“I just wanted to say a few words about this miraculous man over here.”
I wipe away the tears from my eyes.
“Xavier Valente was the first person to welcome me with open arms in this sport. Being a female in a male-dominated space is hard. But his humor and love for anyone who has crossed his path has made it what it is. Thank you for making all of us laugh and smile because of your horrendously cheesy jokes.”
I rip the microphone from her hand. “She is wrong. My jokes are incredibly funny. She’s just jealous that she’s not as funny as me,” I correct her.
Ale shakes her head and rolls her eyes in response.
I say one last thing. “This win today is dedicated to my father, the man who raised me. This sport became our dream and now we’ve both conquered it. I would also like to thank my beautiful and amazing girlfriend, Violetta, for showing me what living life is like.”
She looks up at me from down below and yells in cheers, sending me a kiss with her hand.
I return the kiss she blew in my direction.
“I love you,” she mouths amidst the crowd.
“You better,” I mouth back in response.
I make my final statement. “At the end of the day, I would love to stay here with all of you. But I’m way too invested in my girlfriend’s career to have another job.”
Everyone breaks out in laughter and smiles.
Which is exactly how I want this chapter of my life to end.
