Driven
Page 44
Straker was not sure what to say.
‘You saved this contract. And it’s turned out to be an even bigger opportunity than I hoped,’ added Quartano with a smile. ‘Ptarmigan’s new relationship is a case study in the extraordinary value of sponsorship’s “convening power”. This tie-up with Mandarin has already created opportunities I would have to price in the billions of dollars.’
‘Great news,’ agreed Straker.
‘It is,’ said Quartano instantly sounding serious, ‘which is why I need you – by Friday at the latest – at our satellite launch site in French Guiana. Something troubling has been going on in the Quartech space programme, and I need you there to investigate it. In the meantime, well done with all this,’ he said patting Straker on the shoulder before breaking off to interact with more of his guests.
The reception erupted when the Ptarmigan drivers appeared. Having been doused in champagne up on the podium, Sabatino had showered to wash the fizz out of her nut-brown hair and changed into one of her clean turquoise racing suits; now, she barely showed any sign of having been through a gruelling and emotionally draining last two hours.
She was fêted, and gushed at, as she made her way around all of the room, saying hello to everyone.
After a while she made her way into the Ptarmigan team gaggle where there was much hugging and emotion at the outcome of the season.
Sabatino soon spotted Straker watching her discreetly from a distance. She broke away to approach him.
He leant down to kiss her gently on the cheek. ‘Well done. I’m sorry you didn’t clinch it this time. One point, eh?’
She almost dismissed the condolence. Sabatino seemed to be buzzing. ‘I was that ready to go into the mother of all sulks,’ she said, ‘but how could I now? Did you see the crowds? The result of the race – or even the Championship – didn’t seem to matter to them, at all. This woman thing – and my status as some sort of “hero” – has completely hijacked the competition story.’
They both took a fresh flute of champagne offered by a waitress.
‘I’m mighty relieved you did get that big a reception,’ he said with a confessional smile and a chink of her glass. ‘The team and I could have made a case to persuade you to see the scale of your achievement this year, but you would undoubtedly have ignored us all. Not even you, though, can dismiss the views of two hundred thousand Brazilian fans. At only twenty-two, you’ve got ages to clinch the title many times, yet.’
Sabatino looked up into his eyes and smiled gratefully at his understanding. ‘If I’m being rational,’ she said, ‘I have no reason not to be upbeat: Ptarmigan is easily the best team, with – thanks to Mandarin Telecom – the biggest backing the sport has ever known. From an earnings potential, I own the media gold mine of being the only woman in the malest of sports. Double the usual TV audience tuned in to watch the first woman, me, try and win the Championship today? 800 million people! What could that be worth when I do win?’ she asked. ‘I know I shouldn’t get hung up about one point, really!’
‘Oh, you should always get hung up on one point,’ he admonished firmly, ‘otherwise you wouldn’t be a competitor. But … you should never let professional disappointment threaten your next step forward.’
Sabatino nodded emphatically. ‘And I am looking forward, I am. But then – because of today’s reaction – I get hung up about that too.’
Straker looked mildly disapproving.
‘I can’t help thinking that this whole “hero” thing, and my gold mine, makes me more vulnerable than ever – when I think of Van Der Vaal’s chauvinism.’
Straker was surprised how seriously she said this. He shook his head. ‘You should be sabotage-free, at least while Van Der Vaal’s in exile. Unless by some miracle he wins his appeal, I suppose.’
‘After all that’s happened, and has been written about me,’ she said with a shake of her head, ‘I can’t get away from the feeling that some people won’t like it: a celebrated woman in masculine Formula One? Standing to make a fortune? I dread the resentment it might create. At least say you’ll be there for my first race next season – just in case?’
Straker smiled trying to conceal his surprise. ‘When and where’s that?’
‘Melbourne, first weekend in April.’
Straker nodded and chinked her glass. ‘Of course I’ll be there.’
She smiled back, looking as if she was actually relieved. After taking a big gulp of champagne, she asked: ‘So what’s next for you, now?’
‘I wasn’t sure – until a few minutes ago. DQ’s just asked me to go to French Guiana and look into an incident on the Quartech space programme.’
‘Wow, that’s different.’
‘Certainly is.’
‘When do you go?’
‘Friday.’
‘You going home between times?’
‘Haven’t thought about it yet. I don’t think French Guiana’s that far from here, actually – just over Brazil’s northern border, isn’t it? Home would be a long way to go before flying straight back again.’
‘Mm,’ she said looking intently up into his eyes. ‘How about we stay local and I keep you company?’
‘Sounds like fun,’ he said unable to stop himself smiling at the idea. ‘What d’you have in mind?’
With a flash of her dark brown eyes she looked up into his and asked: ‘Ever been to Rio?’
The End
Acknowledgements
I am so grateful to Mike Chanides and Joe Ellis for their patient help, as I am to Jamie Pursaill for his early editorial encouragement.
I would also like to acknowledge the support of the Hanbury Agency. Getting a ‘break’ is everything in life; the publication of this book is entirely down to the support, guidance and generosity of Maggie Hanbury and Henry de Rougemont.
About the Author
Toby Vintcent served as an officer in the British Army with the 16th/5th The Queen’s Royal Lancers during the Cold War as part of NATO’s Rapid Deployment Force. He then had a successful career at Merrill Lynch, and has been Director of International Affairs at the British Equestrian Federation. Toby Vintcent’s lifelong passion for Formula One resulted in his first book, Driven. He lives in Oxfordshire, the heart of F1 country, with his wife and son.
Copyright
Arcadia Books Ltd
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www.arcadiabooks.co.uk
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First published in the United Kingdom by Moreton Street Books 2014
Published in B format edition by Arcadia Books Ltd 2015
This E Book edition was published by Arcadia Books Ltd in 2015
Copyright © Toby Vintcent 2014
Toby Vintcent has asserted his moral right to be identified as the author of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publishers. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
This is a work of fiction. All the characters and incidents portrayed and the names used herein are fictitious and any similarity to the names, characters, or history of any persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and unintentional. Even when recognisable names appear, their actions are fictitious. This book is unofficial and is not associated in any way with the Formula One group of companies. F1, FORMULA ONE, FORMULA 1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX and related marks are trademarks of Formula One Licensing B.V.
ISBN 978–1–910050–72–9
Typeset in Garamond by MacGuru Ltd
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