99: Pole is mine

Quali time

Maeve's point of view

Q1

RADIO: Maeve, radio check.

MAE: Loud and clear, loud and clear.

I feel at ease in the cockpit, the familiar weight of my helmet and the tightness of the harness give me a good feeling. I love driving, I love everything about it, the roar of the crowd, the background noises, everything.

The track here is something else, the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip are fascinating but I can't afford to be distracted. It's my first time ever driving in Las Vegas, how cool would it be if I won this race? Unfortunately, it wouldn't make me World Champion just yet.

This circuit is a beautiful circuit, mixed with tight, technical corners and fucking fast straights. One mistake and you're doomed, the margins are razor-thin.

I roll out of the garage for Q1.

RADIO: Alright, Maeve. Let's start building up. The track is looking good, let's find your flow.

I push the throttle and the car responds perfectly just like all the other qualifying days this season. The first laps I use to get the tires up to the correct temperature and finding the rhythm.

RADIO: Alright Maeve, the temperature in the tires is good, rhythm is steady. Your current time is 1:36.997

MAE: Is that good?

RADIO: Kind off, P2. We can get faster, last year's fastest lap was 1:35.490, since you are driving a 1:36 right now we think you can at least score a 1:35 on the dot.

MAE: Alright, thanks. Max P1?

RADIO: Uhm, nope Leclerc actually.

MAE: Wow.

The car feels light, which is the best feeling, you don't want an overweight car. The car drives elegantly, which sounds weird but it's a good thing, that means my tires are perfect. I glide through the first sector, the car sticks to the asphalt like super glue. I see the neon lights flash by in blurs as I focus on each apex, each braking point, each corner, and each straight, the whole track basically.

I complete my first flying lap.

RADIO: Time is good, Maeve. Top of the board for now, but it's early. 1:35.010, we think you'll drive 1:34 in Q2. Max as p2 and Charles as p3.

MAE: Alright thank you.

Q2

The stakes are higher now, you can feel that. There is much less room for error. I am standing in the garage, only 30 seconds left until the session starts.

Las Vegas is beautiful at night, it is full of energy from all the fans, it's beautiful.

RADIO: Alright Maeve, it's time. You can leave now for the next session.

I drive out of the garage and I start warming up my tires.

Owen's calm voice enters my head as I navigate the tight turns.

RADIO: You are doing so good, Maevey. Stay focused and let's push a bit harder than last session. You can do this.

MAE: Thank you.

I do just that. I push the car deeper into the corners, feeling the tires grip as I accelerate out of each turn. The balance feels perfect, and I'm in the zone. As I cross the line, I see the time flash up, still P1, but only by a narrow margin. Max is closing in, his car right on my tail, and Charles isn't far behind either.

RADIO: Yes Maeve! You did it!! We can do better but this is great Maeve.

The lap times are tight, with only a hundredths of a second separating us. The pressure is mounting, but I thrive on it. This is what I live for. As Q2 ends, I'm still on top, but I know I'll have to dig even deeper in Q3.

Q3

This is it. In the final session, it all comes down to the smallest details here. I always feel a lot of pressure in Q3, there are more eyes watching 10 people than 20.

I drive out for my first run in Q3, the earlier the better, that's something that is true on a lot of tracks.

RADIO: Alright, Meave. It is go time, let's make this one count again. You proved yourself the last sessions, let's give it your all.

MAE: It's Vettel time.

RADIO: That's the spirit, Maeve.

I push the car to its limits, braking late, and hitting every peak with precision. Every mistake I made in the last sessions I make right in this one. The car bounces through the corners, in a good way. Every muscle in my body is tense because of concentration.

The lap feels perfect, but I know Max and Charles are right there, pushing just as hard. As I cross the line, I hold my breath, waiting for the time to flash up.

RADIO: And Maeve that's... (screaming from the whole garage)

MAE: Is that good or bad screaming?

RADIO: P1, Maeve!! You've got pole!! VETTEL TIME!!

MAE: YES! Owen, we did it once again!!

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, a wide smile spreading across my face. Max is P2, just a fraction behind, and Charles takes P3. The top three are separated by mere tenths, but it's enough.

As I bring the car back to the pits, the reality sinks in. Pole position in Las Vegas. The Strip, with all its glitz and glamour, has seen many victories, but tonight, it's my name at the top. The adrenaline still pumps through my veins as I step out of the car, greeted by the cheers of the team.

There's no time to relax. I know the real fight is yet to come. Tomorrow, the real battle begins, but for now, this pole is mine.