On Track For Life

Hello! So I know we're not supposed to write about real people, and I usually agree with that. But Formula 1 is very important to me, and this story, to an extent, represents the real life relationship and camaraderie between those it concerns, I'm guessing aound 90% of this story will be factual.. I just really wanna share what F1 is truly like, and maybe bring in some new fans. There maybe some technical terms and ideas but I'll happily answer any questions if you get stuck

Chapter 1

" I can't do both Sadie, not even adults manage to both race and be there for their kids, not properly."

"Mark you are an adult, you've got to take responsibility"

"I'll support you and Daniel, I swear, but I can't be there for him, not enough" this conversation was breaking Mark's heart, but he knew it was the right thing to do, there's no such thing as young parents in formula one.

"I always knew I came second to your career, but I never thought you could abandon our son" Sadie spoke through her tears, holding onto their toddler

Why the hell did he dream about that? That was the worst day of Mark's life, where he felt more pain than when he simultaneously broke his leg and shoulder. Mark then reached under his bed and took out a small cardboard box, setting it on the bed in front of him, he took a deep breath before opening it. Inside were pictures of his family back in Australia, the pictures were of Daniel at different ages growing up, always with that goofy grin, the most recent of which was of him in his graduation suit after finishing high school, and even that was few years old now.

His phone rang, the caller ID showed it to be his team boss, Christian Horner, so he quickly gathered his emotions together and answered "Hey, Christian"

"Hi Mark, just checking you're still ok to come to the Torro Rosso driver announcement tonight, doing our bit to support the junior team and all that"

"Sure, no problem"

"Thanks, I'll see you later then"

Later that afternoon, Mark was at his pub, The Stag, just relaxing while he had the opportunity, it wasn't long before the season restarted after all. His phone vibrated in his pocket, caller ID Sadie "Hey, you ok?" he answered softly

"Mark, I gotta tell you something"

"What's wrong?"

"Not wrong, just complicated. It's Daniel, he's going into Formula 1"

"What?!" Mark responded loudly making customers turn and stare, so he walked out back "How? Doing what? Which team?"

"He's racing with a junior team, fairly new he said, Torro something"

"Torro Rosso, you kidding me, that's our junior team! I'm going to the announcement tonight! Why didn't you tell me he was planning any of this?"

"I didn't know he was that serious about racing, I knew he liked, but of course he would, you're his dad, but since he got a flat with his mates he's told me nothing, and now he's flown out to Europe to compete against you"

"Ah jeez" Mark sighed, this was one incredibly messed up situation "ok, does he know about me?"

"No"

"Are we gonna tell him? I mean, it's gonna be hard for me to be around him..."

"Don't tell him, not right away. It's gonna be overwhelming enough, remember how you felt your first season"

"Yeah" this conversation hd taken a rather sad turn

"I'm sorry, Mark" Sadie sympathized, she hated lying to her son as much as Mark did

"I know. I guess I brought this upon myself"

"Don't think like that. You did what you thought was right, that's all you can ever do"

"Sure" he knew it was true, but right now it wasn't good enough "I'll let you know how tonight goes, and I'll see you in a couple of months I guess"

"Yeah. Bye Mark"

Ugh. Suits. Mark hated them unless they were pre-fixed by the word 'racing'. Even though it was a Torro Rosso announcement, the event was being held at the Red Bull base in Milton Keynes, so at least it was a familiar place, apart from that he was a nervous wreck, he was about to meet his now adult son for goodness sake. The fact he had to sit next to his team mate turned major rival, Sebastian Vettel, did not help his mood. The evening passed slowly as various FIA members, sponsers and team officials gave their speeches, nothing Mark hadn't heard a million times before.

Finally, Torro Rosso's team principal Franz Tost took to the stage and spoke in his Austrian accent "And now for the moment we've all been waiting for, the driver line-up for this year. From France, Jean-Eric Vergne" the room applauded as the young Frenchman walked onto stage and gave his short speech of gratitude. Next, the moment Mark had been anticipating "Alongside him will be Australian Daniel Ricciardo" Mark applauded alongside everyone else, and didn't take his eyes off his son as he bounded on stage and joked

"Damn, guess I'll have to cancel my Reading Festival tickets" and the room laughed, no wonder he was always smiling.

Franz took to the microphone once more "Of ocurse being at their base, we have the two Red Bull Racing drivers with us tonight, would you gentlemen like to join us onstage" Mark and Sebastian did as they were told "Now, I hope you experts can teach our boys how to be the best and be positive role models for them"

Mark instantly replied "Of course we will" and he meant it, sincerely, he would do anythign to protect his boy from the evils that came with this sport.