Favourite. Chapter 4 Part One

This novel is fictional, you should not look for intersections with historical events. This is a continuation of Nikita Savelyev’s Racing Action Movie, first published on F1News.ru…

Chapter 4. New experience. Part One

Interview of Neville Reid for the British Motorsports Weekly…

Neville, do you feel like you’ve taken a step back in your career?

It’s strange to hear you call the transition to a proper English team that. I intend to develop with my new team. This is the most serious challenge of my career and I gladly accepted it.

What are your goals for the upcoming season?

Compete for victories from time to time, to compete for the championship title a year later in full growth.

With all due respect, isn’t that too ambitious? The Italian teams have a solid track record of victories and a solid technical base, while Carnall has not yet achieved significant success.

All champions also had no experience of victories at one time, and as far as technical equipment is concerned, Mr. Carragher is extremely responsible for his offspring. Believe me, our production facilities are not inferior to the Italian ones.

Well, it only remains to welcome such an optimistic approach and wish you successful races and a reliable car…

“The coolant tank overheated and the tie rods flooded,” said Charlie Rodwell, sticking his head out of the car’s bowels and wiping his hands with a rag.

“Fine,” Carragher exclaimed sarcastically. “Frankly, we gentlemen remind me of a coroner. The cause of death was reliably determined. It just doesn’t make it any easier! The patient rested in the bose!

“At least we know which node to work on,” Charlie replied softly.

“But Leslie had a throttle failure and Georges had a valve spring. Too many nodes?

“This is an unofficial game to test for weaknesses…”

– So at the official one they will run with full force and completely smear us!

Neville stood humbly beside the ingloriously fallen green fighter. The first serious race, although no points were awarded for it, started in Tuscany, Italy, in early April. Unfortunately, all three Carnalls exited the race in the first third. Do not let Neville shine with optimism, but he also found no reason for black despondency. Finally the long cold months of enforced idleness are over and he is back on the track. Who said it would be easy?

Have you been paying attention to Thomson? Charlie asked. What an interesting decision!

– I haven’t looked up to these insects yet?! Carragher bellowed. – Take care of the car! I look forward to a clear troubleshooting plan!

Martin turned abruptly over his shoulder and hurried home.

– And what did he do? Charlie sighed.

“I’m upset,” Neville said.

– And in vain, you showed an excellent pace at the start. Compare lap times with last year’s – heaven and earth.

“After training, expecting too much, the more bitter the defeat,” Neville concluded philosophically.

– No, have you seen Thomson? Charlie whispered. “It’s a simple idea: if we can’t add horsepower to a car, we just have to strip it of the extra pounds.

Yes, Will Thomson, the head of the eponymous team, managed to impress everyone. He introduced a radical new design – he placed the engine behind the pilot, and not in front, as it has been since time immemorial. By reducing the weight of the drive shaft, engine and gearbox, the weight of the machine could be kept as low as possible.

“I didn’t see much benefit from Will’s bold decision,” Neville shrugged, “The whole paddock is laughing at his little ones.

“Who will win first time,” Rodwell objected. “But they didn’t look helpless, as Monetti’s pranksters had predicted.

“Let’s talk about us,” Neville asked.

“And why didn’t I think of that?” Rodwell did not hesitate. – In the late 1930s, the Germans tested the rear engine layout, how could you forget? And after the war, the government published a report on German cars in the public domain, hoping that suddenly young engineers would find something useful there, the authorities did not have time for that – they had to restore the economy. There were technical documentation, schedules and projects. And it only cost a piece of cake, all copies went over the counter like hot cakes. I have not become zealous, the Germans think. But the cunning Thomson fished out a rational grain.

‘That’s enough, Charlie,’ Neville was tired now. – Closer to reality. Not to experiment. Zero reliability.

“The weight of the car is key,” Rodwell muttered further, but Neville stopped listening to him, it’s time to wrap up this song – there won’t be anything interesting here.

At the exit of the circuit, he was caught by Monetti’s pilots – Powell and Douglass, who have recently become inseparable friends.

– Rushing to the “Golden Olive”? Powell slapped Neville on the shoulder. – It is a bad omen not to drink before the start of the match.

– What is the desire for inappropriate luxury? asked Neville cheerfully. – In this restaurant, like in a museum – round stucco and gilding, and the waiters are dressed up like this – the major of the royal palace will be jealous.

“You don’t understand, the cream is collected there,” argued Douglass.

“Cheap eateries are not for the best racers in the world,” said Powell. – And in “Oliva” when the dancing starts, it’s fun.

“Where am I without you…” Marcel said uncertainly.

“Imagine meeting some young actresses yesterday,” Powell added happily. – Miniature, infections, but everything is with them. Appreciate!

“Italian women are too loud and hot-tempered for me, their hands constantly swinging like a windmill,” Neville said.

“And what about our best stiff pegs?” Powell was surprised.

What kind of actresses? Neville replied with a question.

“A kind of theatre,” Douglass said. – Hey, prima donnas.

“The prima donnas would have found someone to go to a restaurant without you,” Neville said incredulously. – I think they play stupid maids at the back of the stage.

“You’re a stuffy man, Reed,” Powell grimaced. – I have not seen the girls, but I have already scolded them. Can ruin the whole holiday.

‘I don’t refuse, let’s look at these actresses,’ Marcel grumbled.

“Then at exactly eight o’clock in the lobby of the hotel.

– Yes sir!