Formula: A Tale of Survival (Season 1 Prologue: Introduction)
A fair bit of warning:
This story contains Mild Swearing. All characters living or dead, events, and locations mentioned herein, is purely coincidental.
I have seen a few works about Formula One on Archive Of Our Own, but I decided to make one of my own instead, on this site.
Prologue: Opening
Aptive Ltd. is the most known corporate entity in existence.
Originally focused on technology, news media, and social media, new ventures have expanded them into Motorsport racing.
With unlimited funds, despite the cost cap (of $165 million) coming into effect, Aptive Motorsports is the most advanced Fromula 1 team they've ever conceived . . . . . . . . . . . .
Last year's Singapore Grand Prix (31 December)
This season, has started with controversy, has ended with controversy, as this comes to a close as Lance Stroll and Max Verstappen battled it out on a 'final race shoot out' that ended out worse than expected.
Mainstream Media pundits says Verstappen is predicted to win the Driver's Championship.
Even racing fans across the world says Verstappen is predicted to win the Driver's Championship.
And then... it's over. 61 laps. Gone in a flash. Lady Luck would prove them wrong.
"Lance Stroll—for the first time that "no one else—not even the mainstream media pundits in Singapore and the racing fans that wanted Max Verstappen to be the Champion of the World—have deemed it possible"—is Formula One's Champion Of The World!" were the words that David Croft announced. What a sight. Lance Stroll's driver's title was not possible for him to conquer it.
The title winner that everyone had predicted at the beginning of the season was very incensed. Finishing a lowly fourth on the Driver's Championship was the worst feeling for him. "How can such a driver from such a back-marker team can easily win the driver's championship!?" he exploded in rage as the Red Bull Racing team watched on with their mouths open in shock. Red Bull Racing team owner Christian Horner then said "Tough luck. Looks like we blew it."
That goes to show that Aston Martin is no slouch either, as they were celebrating for conquering the unconquerable.
In the cooldown room, Lance Stroll was on the sofa when Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas came by and congratulated him on the maiden title win. So did Carlos Sainz (who intended to take a one-year hiatus from the scarlet-red team).
Lance Stroll steps onto the podium in third, with Lewis Hamilton winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and his team mate Valtteri Bottas in second. The three received their trophies by the ministers present at the podium.
January
It was official: Evano Transit Singapore, and its parent subsidiary, Aptive First Class, announced that they will be joining Formula One under Evano Motorsports, and Aptive Motorsports, after a lengthy discussion.
Aptive Motorsports would field in both Aaron Wolff and Sierra Hedgehog.
Evano Motorsports would field in both former Formula One drivers Romain Grosjean and Nikita Mazepin (the guy who got fired from Haas).
Flashback: Mazepin's admittance to Formula One again after being sacked from Haas
Nikita Mazepin was walking down the streets of Saint Petersburg with his coat on, in the dead of the night, to meet up with a person that he had contact with since the termination of his contract in Formula One.
"Haas has elected to terminate, with immediate effect, the title partnership of Ural, and the driver contract of Nikita Mazepin. As with the rest of the Formula One community, the team is shocked and saddened by the current conflict and wishes for a swift and peaceful end to the conflict."
He was at a loss. The words of his 'termination' left an unhealable scar on his mind.
Then he arrived at the outskirts of Polisk. The 'person' then revealed to Mazepin was none other than Richard Groetre. He guided him to his office, and once Mazepin got there, he sat down on the office chair and faced Richard himself.
"Никита, причина, по которой я позвал тебя сюда, это расторжение твоего контракта, верно? (Nikita, the reason why I called you here, is because of the termination of your contract, is that correct?)" Richard inquired. Mazepin then started to speak to him the difficulties that he's facing, to get in line the context of his termination. "Я понимаю. Так что, во-первых, вы можете не знать меня по внешности, но я это вижу. (I see. So first of all, you may not know me by the looks, but I can see that.)" Richard said solemnly.
Mazepin then wearily asked "Есть ли команды, которые участвуют или собираются присоединиться к Формуле-1, которые могут принять меня в качестве обычного гонщика? (Are there any teams that are in, or going to join, Formula One, that can accept me as a normal driver?)"
Richard then said "Поэтому я здесь, Никита. Я порекомендовал вас своим работодателям, и, изучив ваше положение, они уполномочили меня предложить вам место в команде, которая принимает вас больше, чем просто водителя, потому что они согласны со мной в том, что у вас есть безграничный потенциал в Ваши навыки. (That's why I'm here, Nikita. I've recommended you to my employers, and after reviewing your plight, they have authorized me to offer you a seat in a team that accepts you more than just a driver, because they agree with me that you have the potential to be limitless in your skills.)"
Mazepin convinced Richard, "Я надеюсь, что это не какие-то другие команды, которые отвергли меня раньше. (I hope it's not any other teams that rejected me before.)" Richard responded "Это не так. Команда, которую мои работодатели выделили для вас, будет отличаться от любой другой. (It isn't. The team that my employers have allocated to you, is going to be different than any other.)"
Nikita brightens up. "Заранее спасибо! Итак, когда я начну? (Thanks in advance! So when do I start?)"
Flashback End
February
Soon-to-be Ferrari driver Sergio Perez was listening to the news back home, relaxing after a long season. He's finally having a break from the drama and the controversy surrounding the World Championship incident.
"Authorities have continued the manhunt for the handful of activists responsible in Monday's bombing of an Amarco facility, resulting in the destruction of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of Amarco's latest BioTech's 'Argent Core' units."
"Bah… these bastards have not let up on this," he lamented as he got himself an energy drink that he stored in the mini-fridge under his table. He then listened further about the attack on Amarco's bombing. "Amarco has been targeted by those 'activists', but at what cost are they targeting?"
But then, yet another news report regarding the ex-Haas driver is being broadcasted as he started to drink.
"Evano Motorsports has recruited ex-Formula One driver Nikita Mazepin alongside IndyCar driver Romain Grosjean. It's a big question of 'Nikita is back at Formula One, but at what cost?' as its sponsor, Medridi have responded, stating that Nikita's 'limitless potential' could've been wasted if they didn't choose the right driver for that matter, with the reason being 'the governing body does not appreciate how skilled he is, even if the right racecar was given to him'."
This was a worst time to be reporting that, as he spat out whatever's in his mouth in shock. "Mazepin's back?!" he gasped. He quickly called up Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Sebastian Vettel.
"Hey Checo! What's up?"
"Looks like we're in for a big surprise mate. That bastard we all hate is back in Formula One."
"Great. We've had enough of what has happened for the fact that Mazepin is already planning to make our lives more miserable, and he's gonna make it even more, with his return."
Leclerc wasn't surprised at all, concerning the fact that he also saw that news on Fasebuk, Tweeter, Insterham, and JooTube.
"Sebastian? Looks like we're in for a big surprise for the season, cus' that bastard is back in Formula One."
"Aw hell not Mazepin again! He really doesn't know when to stop, does he?"
It will be hell all over again, once the season starts.
What will happen to the entire Formula One grid? Will Mazepin live up to his potential? Or will he spin out in a disaster?
Let's start this season with Round 1: Australia!