Chapter Text
I was sitting in my living room waiting for a call. This call was going to be the most important call of my life but I didn’t know it.
“Good afternoon, is this Aurélie Parker?” The voice of Guenther Steiner on the other end mad emu heart sing!
“Yes this is she.”
“Ah good, well we looked over your requests in regard to keeping your identity a secret and we will agree but first let me say. We will be offering you the second seat this season alongside Kevin Magnussen.”
“Thank you so much for the opportunity Guenther. I know we can do some good things this season, so what are we doing and in return when do I have to reveal myself?” I knew when they called they would be offering something like this. I was known from F2 as being the Faceless Driver. No one knew what I looked like I have never taken off my helmet nor have I done any press. I’ve maintained my anonymity with secrets and my close friends and family.
“Well we know you want to maintain it and we believe it will help generate some talk about the team. That being said we do have obligations to sponsors and the like. We are willing to work with you as long as you can attend a gala that is being held in August in Austria.” Guenther pauses to give me time to think. “It would be the halfway mark through the season and it would be a wonderful debut.”
“I agree. I think it would be fine. Though up to that point I want everything else that was stipulated for my protection,”
“Yes, yes, if you win a podium we won’t ask you to remove your helmet. The FIA has agreed to keep your name under wraps until August so we will continue to use your moniker Parker or Faceless Driver in all public settings on and off race days. No press. No interviews. All of that changes after you go public but we will deal with that later in the season.” Guenther finished with a bit of a sigh but hey the man has to understand being the father of daughters.
“Thank you Mr. Steiner. I know it will be hard until August but then I’ll be a shining star for you.”
“Thank you Parker, I know how hard it will be for you and I can’t promise it will be good but I promise that I will keep you safe,” Guenther finished with a note of finality. “Have a good rest of your afternoon and we will send your manager all the emails and bullshit you need to do.”
“Bye Mr. Steiner”
I clicked off the call and after I safely put my phone down on my couch I turned up the music and danced my ass off. I was running around my apartment way too much because my downstairs neighbor and best friend and only person in the F1 grid to know my true identity knocked on my door.
“Did you get the spot?”
“No I’m simply wanting to invite my friend in for a nice chat, Lewis”
Yep, that’s right Lewis Hamilton ladies and gentlemen. My best friend and the only person who knows my identity. When we both were kids we raced in the same races and I beat him every time. After the second time though he walked up to me and shook my hand. No other person had done that for me. They thought it was above them to shake a woman’s hand after she handed them their ass. Well he wasn’t above that. So we became fast friends. He moved on past me and even though I couldn’t race in Formula racing that didn’t stop our friendship. I wanted to get in there and be with him and the other boys. I wanted to prove to everyone that I could do it and that women have a place here.
I retired under Aurélie Parker and then a year later the Faceless Driver entered F2 only given name was Parker. I raced with Prema and achieved 3 championships with them. I was great. That was last year. Now this is where I am and it can only get better.