DF1 Chapter 3, A dream come true?

It was still dark outside as Chase sat in the back of a car. The combination of excitement and nervousness was the perfect way to keep him awake in this very early morning. Chase was very excited to see the Red-Bull headquarters again. He's been there before, but now it was different. Last time he was in the headquarters it was the happiest moment of his life, as Red-Bull signed a one-year contract to allow Chase to drive alongside Marshall. It was cold and dark outside the headquarters, but to Chase it felt like summer. Today would be his first day at the office, the team asked him to come in early to meet the team before the big meeting would start. Chase got out of the car on the Red-Bull terrain, a guy was already waiting at the entrance and Chase knew who it was.

'Welcome back, for real this time.' The team principal said.

'Thank you Miles, I am very excited.' Chase said, trying to remain calm whilst his body was going crazy with the nerves.

'Good, i sure am too, it's time to meet the part of the team i couldn't show you before, follow me.' Miles said, Chase following him inside. Chase was surprised by the amount of room the DF1 Red-Bull team had.

'F1 Red-Bull was quick to build an area for us, they believed that working together with us could really help both teams forward, and it has worked well.' Miles explained. 'When we got into DF1 we were horrible, back-markers even. But now we have won our second constructers title and won 3 world championships with Russell. It is not illegal, many of the big DF1 teams share info with their F1 buddies. We even asked the FIA and they allow it.'

'Awesome!' Chase said.

'I believe that we can continue in our goal of showing the F1 team we belong here, which we've done quite well. We are getting facility upgrades this year. I need you to help us work towards that goal.' Miles said. 'We've gone for a huge risk to have two very young drivers in our team, prove us we made the right one.'

'I can't wait to help.' Chase responded.

'Great, we still have some time before the meeting, let's pay a visit to our F1 buddies shall we?' Miles asked.

'Sure thing.' Chase said, still thinking he is dreaming.

Chase really can't believe he isn't dreaming after he and Miles go back to the Df1 section of the building. He got to meet Christian Horner, saw the very well-known mechanics and pit-crew walking around, and even spotted Max Verstappen walking by. Chase's head was in the clouds, but he had to come down from there, as it was time for the meeting. Chase sat down in a chair assigned to him, Marshall had also arrived and was sitting at the other side of the table. Chase was confused as a young guy sat next to him, that was the guy that stood next to him at Abu-Dhabi.

'Alright, everyone looks ready I see. Welcome to the first official meeting of the season, of course that isn't the case for all the amazing people that have been working on our car all winter long. I am so excited to check up on the progress. And of course, to take a look into what all our new members can bring us as we go into a very exciting new DF1 season.' Miles said. 'First off i would like to hear how our car is looking, head of mechanics, tell me all about it.

'Yessir. Of course, we cannot compare our data to what the other teams are doing, but I can say our car is looking very strong. It has some improvements on our car from last year and if other teams haven't done something crazy, our fight at the front is strong sir.' The head of mechanics reported.

'Great, that means we are good on that front. Marshall I would like to hear from you what you've been doing over the winter and how you look towards this season.' Miles said.

'Of course. Winter has been good, did a lot of work but was also able to do a lot of fun stuff and rest in between. I am very ready for this season; we can definitely work and build on what we did last year and that's what I am the most excited for. Also very interested at what we can accomplish as a team.' Marshall said, smiling towards Chase.

'Thank you for that Marshall. I think that is a great build up to where I wanted to go next. Chase, tell us about what we can expect this season.' Miles said.

'Well, first off. I am really excited to start my career here with you guys. I am very excited for every part of it, even the data reading. I am going to help the team to achieve as much as we can this season, and I am really excited to see where the car can bring us.' Chase said, trying to sound as professional as Marshall just did. He still finds it funny to see how different Marshall is when working, he knew it from when the two did paw patrol work together, but this shows it more than ever.

'I saw you and the guy next to you already met at Abu-Dhabi. He will be your race engineer for this season, it's his first year too so you two should be able to get along well.' Miles said. 'Alright, I think it is time to put in the real work, Bahrain is always closer than you think so give it all you've got!' Miles said. Then everyone got up and went their different ways, Chase didn't know what he had to do.

'Hey, nice to see you again. Want to follow me, Marshall gave me his date from Bahrain last year, may help to get you on track.' The guy who was now Chase's race engineer asked. 'My name is Cameron by the way. When I saw you last year, I was already excited knowing they were considering you as one of the possible new drivers. I'm really excited to work with you this year.'

'Cool, and yeah, I still got issues with Bahrain, so working on that would be great.' Chase answered.

And so, the full team got to work on getting everything ready for the season. Time flew by with days in the simulator and gathering more information about the car and the tracks. It did take a lot of work and effort, but Chase was used to it. Before he realized it, he had landed in Bahrain and preseason testing was about to begin. It was a whole new experience, the amount of people walking around, making pictures of you, actual fans. Something you wouldn't see a lot of in the junior categories. Everyone had left him alone to process the whole debacle, and that was needed.

Meanwhile Marshall was in his own room waiting for a certain dog to come online. Zuma had just found out he was finally promoting to DF3, and he was getting in his first work. Suddenly Zuma was online and Marshall went into a call with him.

'Hey Zuma, how's the training treating you?' Marshall asked.

'Crazy dude, this is DF3 but the training is on a crazy level, can't imagine how DF1 must be, how is Chase's first taste at it?' Zuma asked

'Going alright seems very relaxed, you should try that. I mean, you've got the talent for DF1, you just need to keep giving it your all.' Marshall said.

'Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.' Zuma said.

'Nice, I have to get myself ready, talk soon alright.' Marshall said, the two pups said goodbye and Marshall ended the call. He looked at his phone and saw a message from Russell. 'Best of luck this season, you can go for the championship mate!' The message read. Marshall smiled, but kept his composure. By now he knew how Motorsport worked, celebrating too early can be the end of you, even if you cross the line as a champion, it can all be taken away in one corner, even in the last one of the championship.

Chase and Marshall met downstairs in the garage. 'Think we should share some data so you can get up to speed?' Marshall asked.

'Sure, it's really appreciated.' Chase said. Both drivers then focusing on their own part of the garage, as more camera's started to appear. Then it was finally time for Chase to get in that seat, he was allowed to go out first to get the feel for the car. Chase pulled out of the pits and got a first feeling of the car as he braked for turn one. Cold tires, but not as cold as the DF2 car, those don't have tire warmers and it makes a difference. Being in that DF1 car was a whole new experience, the engine telling you it's ready to go. The DF2 cars were something, but this was clearly on another level. Chase enjoyed the view like he never had before, all this work was paying off, the real work finally starting. Chase started to get some laps in, the car was nice, it felt good. Chase gaining confidence as the laps counted up. The hours passed by easily and Chase got out of his car happy by the end of his session, Marshall excited to hear from his friend.

'So, how does it feel?' Marshall asked.

'Good, feels fast.' Chase said.

The two pups discuss the changes and eat their lunch, afterwards it was Marshall's turn to test out his car on track for the first time. Chase got a special seat from where he could look at Marshall's data and other info. Very cool to see how the full team works whilst the driver is busy driving.

Marshall was in his car driving for many laps, at some point losing indication of time as he drives the same track over and over again. Though suddenly, something feels a little different in the braking zones. 'Could you check my brakes?' Marshall asked over the radio. 'Feels a little off.'

'Copy.' Cole replied. Chase seeing him nervously looking across the screens.

Marshall approached the next braking zone and braked early, the car brakes a little but then stopped braking, a sound in the car telling Marshall his brakes were gone. Marshall goes straight on but manages to get the car slowed down in the gravel.

'I'm coming in, brake failed.' Marshall commented, slowly crawling his car out of the gravel and into the pits.

'Copy, careful on entry.' Cole replied.

Marshall came in and carefully got his car stopped in the right pit box. The mechanics moving the vehicle inside the garage. Marshall got out and stood with his assistant watching the mechanics work on the car.

'Well Ant, it looks like Red-Bull might be having some issues, and from the timings we've seen, they will also have to watch out for Ferrari. The team said they have brought major upgrades to their car, and Danny really is flying in that beautiful red car with the beautiful new red and black livery.' Crofty explained.

'If Red-Bull have issues, and have Ferrari's on their tails, we could really be in for another amazing title fight. Can't wait to see it all unfold crofty.' Anthony replied.

Chase walked to his friend who was still watching the mechanics.

'Can they get it fixed in time?' Chase asked.

Marshall looked at the clock. 'Not this session I'm afraid.' He answered

'Can't you drive during one of my sessions?' Chase asked

'Don't think that's allowed, and besides, you need all the time in that car you can get. I'll get up to speed don't worry.' Marshall said, still intensely looking at the mechanics working hard on the brakes.

'It's still preseason testing, the time to see the issues and fix them, shouldn't be a problem into the real season.' Marshall's assistant added.

'Yeah, you are in a top team now, we'll show them in the race.' Marshall told Chase.