Uncertain futures
Logan sat in his appartement in Milton Keynes, signing the NDAs his management had sent him from Mercedes. Esteban had received his batch this morning as well.
He used the way to HQ as a warm-up run, making a short stop at the post office to send the NDAs back. He arrived at HQ, took his training shoes and some water from his room and went to the gym. He stretched before starting his lifts, sticking to the schedule the trainers made for him, adding two more settings to his core and neck training.
“Wow, that’s what I call sweat!” Max said, coming into the gym.
“Well, if I want to beat you, I need to train my core and neck better.” Logan said, starting another setting of head lifts.
“You got problems with those?” Max asked concerned.
“No, but I feel like those are my weak spots and for us … the neck can’t be too strong.” Logan said with a smile.
“True. You should also work on your breathing. You still hold your breath too much. Maybe ask Hugh to give you reminders through the race.”
“Alright, thanks.” Logan said. He finished his training not long after and went to his room, meeting Yuki in the hallway.
“I need to talk again.” He quickly said.
“I’ll take a quick shower, then I’ll come over.” Logan said, walking into his room. He went over to Yuki’s room, knocking once before getting in. Yuki sat on his couch, a cherry coke already in his stretched-out hand. “Thanks, now what’s worth venting?”
“Actually, I’m not sure if it’s really venting. They’re booting Ollie.” Yuki said and Logan choked on his coke.
“What?” Logan asked.
“They’re booting Ollie, Daniel asked for the seat and they are going to take him back. It has been decided shortly after Canada, apparently. They like that he’s more experienced. They’ll announce it this weekend.”
“But Ollie has been doing so well and Daniel is okay, but not overwhelming. Would he be such a bigger benefit?”
“I don’t know. Apparently. I really thought I would get booted first. The contract with Honda is about to end, they have no more obligation to me. Although, my contract hasn’t been renewed yet.”
“You think they’re gonna boot you, too?” Logan now asked, a little shocked, making Yuki shrug.
“I don’t bring in the points you do. I’m not even in the points every race. Why keep me?” Yuki said, sounding a little depressed.
“Because you’re a good driver, Yuki. Don’t give up. And … nobody could judge you for asking around a little. Just keep it under wraps, mostly.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Alpine isn’t happy that Esteban is leaving, but I don’t think they have a replacement, yet. Maybe you want to join us for a dinner this weekend?” Logan asked. “I’ve got to talk to Estie first, though.”
“We are pretty much team mates, nobody could judge us for that.” Yuki agreed.
“Alright, I’ll call you about the dinner.” Logan said, looking on his watch, I’m sorry, I’ve got a strategy meeting to go to, I’ll take this if you don’t mind.” He said, holding up the can.
“Of course not.” Yuki said “I’ve got a training session to go to, as well.” He said grumpily.
“Hey, your training can be rewarded in points.” Logan said with a wink before closing the door.
“Yes, but I still have to train.” grumbled Yuki to himself.
“Hey, do you know if there’s a replacement for you, yet?” Logan asked Esteban at night, them lying in bed together after a make-out session.
“There isn’t one yet, but why are you interested in that?” Esteban asked.
“Things happened in RB and Yuki doesn’t feel safe. No that’s the wrong wording. Uhm, there were some decisions made in management and Yuki is really, really scared of losing his seat. Especially with Honda not being in the mix much longer.” Logan said “I told him I would ask. He didn’t specifically ask for Alpine, but still.”
“Well, Pierre and him made a good team in Alphatauri, maybe we can set something up?”
“Can you get someone with some power agree to a dinner tomorrow night?”
“Pretty sure, yes.” Esteban said.
“I’ll get Yuki there.”
“There’s a nice Italian place there, more of a secret tip thing, I’ll get a table there.”
“Oh man, now I owe my wife fifty bucks! She said it was a ruse.” Bruno said when Esteban arrived in the back of the restaurant with him, seeing Logan and Yuki sitting at the table already.
“It’s not a ruse, it’s a casual dinner with friends.” Esteban said.
“Friends? Don’t try to make me look stupid. Except between Yuki and Logan – maybe, I don’t even know – there is no friendship going on at this table.” Bruno said, sitting down “Good evening, I’m Bruno.”
“Hello, Yuki, I’m sorry for the … entrapment.” Yuki said, shaking his hand.
“So, you’re the one who wants to drive for me, I guess?”
“Well … kind of … yeah.” Yuki smiled nervously.
“Kind of?”
“Uuhm, I’m not sure what to say now.”
“Well, this is going well.” Bruno said with a smile.
“You know, I never had these kinds of dinners … or talks … or negotiations … or conversations … or meetings … or appointments … or” Yuki’s rambling was interrupted by Esteban clearing his throat “I’m sorry, I really never had a talk like this. Everybody thinks I’m a paid driver, that I’m just here because I’m Japanese and RB uses Honda engines, and that’s true, even though they never let me feel like it in the team, the public does. I want to prove I’m not just here because of Honda. I can drive. Fast. I want to prove that I deserve to be here.”
“Well said.” Bruno said. “You do know where we stand in the championship at the moment?”
“Yes.”
“We are not sure if we can get much higher this year. We are working on next year’s car of course, but we have to change a lot of things, my predecessor … let a couple things slide, to say it simply. He wasn’t there for long, but he managed to do enough damage. The team is changing a lot and will keep changing. We will not take Honda on, but I think that is clear for everyone. Pierre will be racing with us, it’s not public yet, please keep it to yourself. You will not bring your race engineer. Would those things be okay for you?”
“Yes. I’m friends with Pierre. We didn’t see each other as much this year of course, especially with Kika being pregnant, but we’re good. And I didn’t expect to take someone from the team and not working with Honda is actually my goal.”
“Alright, the decision is not mine alone, but I’ll bring it up. Keep up the results. That fifth last race is exactly what people are looking for.” Bruno said and they ordered their food.
“See, he didn’t bite.” Logan said in the cab, looking at Yuki, who sat in between him and Esteban.
“Still, I’ve never had a talk like this. I started with a one-year contract and was informed in June that I could stay and the pay was good. There was no reason to negotiate.”
The news about Ollie getting booted and Daniel replacing him went online Sunday morning.
McLaren gave Ollie a little heads up before posting their little side dig. The news of Ollie replacing Daniel, having signed a two-year contract. 'With special thanks to RB for handing them this talent on a silver platter.'
The public divided on this post, half found it hilarious and the other half thinking McLaren went too far saying this.
In reaction to this split in public opinion, Alpine posted that they are agreeing with the opinion of McLaren and wanted to thank RB as well for 'preparing Yuki for the next years with Alpine.' They didn’t publish the exact length of the contract. The post was liked by Pierre Gasly, only one second after getting posted and he greeted Yuki with a big hug in the paddock, followed directly by Kika, who by now sported a well-rounded 5-month bump under her summer dress.
Nicholas Latifi posted a couple minutes later that this season would be his last in F1, leaving Aston Martin and the grid at the end of the year, to start other adventures. Aston thanked him for the time and effort he spent on the team.
Haas posted a picture of the team, taken from behind, all eating popcorn and looking at a screen with the latest Alpine post.
“But why?” Franz asked Yuki.
“I want something else and with even Ollie not being safe … I want something different. I want to prove myself. That I belong into F1. That I’m not just here because of the Honda engines.”
“Okay, I get that, even though I’m sorry to hear you’re leaving the team, I wish you all the best. Maybe you can invite me some day?”
“You’re the RB team principle, I don’t think it would be okay to invite you into another garage.”
“Well, that is the news we’re going to share after summer break. I’m retiring at the end of the season.”
“But … you can’t leave! You’ve always been there!” Yuki said shocked.
“Yes, but I’m ready to settle down. I’ll not vanish or something, but I’ll not be there for every race.”
“I can’t really imagine it. The grid without you.”
“We’ll all leave some day.”
“Oh my god! Don’t say it like that, you sound like you’re dying and saying goodbye!” Yuki complained and Franz laughed.
“Our little Yuki growing up and leaving the nest.” Franz said after a little silence “I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you.”