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? @PaddockMom47I brought my daughter to Austin specifically to meet Petra because she’s her HERO. Now I find out someone was using events like that to steal secrets? And they’re blaming HER? I’m furious. #ProtectOurDrivers #NotInOurName
@WolfBettSupporterAnyone else notice how quickly PAD pivoted from “relationship drama” to “technical espionage” when the story broke? Almost like they were TOLD to push this narrative... #ConnectTheDots #StandWithPetra
? @NitroNation_PAD OWES PETRA A PUBLIC APOLOGY. This is defamation, plain and simple. Suggesting the driver who provides some of the most valuable technical feedback in F1 needs to steal data? Absurd. #SueThem #StandWithPetra
@F1Insider_RealBreaking: Legal sources suggest multiple teams are pursuing action against media outlets pushing the “compromised driver” narrative over the technical espionage story. About damn time. #StandWithPetra
@BunniesAndHoneysWe’ve been saying Petra and Nico are pure class and now we have proof. While some asshole was using fan access to steal data, these two were just EXISTING and being professional. #RelationshipGoals #TrustTheProcess
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
GRAN PREMIO DE LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO | FRIDAY | FREE PRACTICE
Nico’s runningthrough FP1 data with Heinrich when the FIA’s investigator requests his presence.
Laurent Dubois has set up camp in the office across from Marcus’s inside WolfBett’s business unit. All the questions are what Nico expects until the man brings up paddock passes and team guests.
Dubois looks up from his notes, his expression bland. He has thin lips and the kind of eyes that are so pale blue they seem almost clear. He’s clean-shaven, French, forty-ish, and humorless. Nico wonders if he wanted to be a driver but grew to be too tall or just wasn’t good enough. “Your sister visited several times this season, Nico. Correct?”
“No me jodas.”The words escape before Nico can stop them. “You’re not seriously suggesting my sister is involved in this.”
“I am exploring all possibilities.” Dubois consults his tablet. “Nicolina Belmonte has access to multiple team garages through family connections?—”
Nico cuts in, voice deadly quiet. “Nicolina is a primary school teacher who’s been through enough hell without your baseless implications.”
Marcus appears in the doorway. “My driver needs to prepare for FP2.” He must’ve been listening in. “And Carlos Belmonte would be very interested in any investigation involving his daughter.”
The implied threat lands. Everyone remembers Carlos’s battles with the FIA. His influence is far reaching.
“I’m simply following protocols,” the investigator replies, unruffled. “Checking all visitors’ activities.”
“Check elsewhere.” Nico stands, fury barely contained. “And never mention my sister in connection with this again.” He strides from the office, his hands clenched into fists. The nerve of thatpendejosuggesting Nicolina could be involved in espionage. His sister teaches children how to read and count and fold towels, for fuck’s sake.
“Conejo.” Esteban appears at his elbow, matching his pace as they head toward the garage. “You look like you want to punch someone.”
“Several someones.” Nico’s jaw works. “Dubois just implied Nia might be stealing technical data.”
“Nicolina?I understand being thorough, but that’s just idiotic.”
“It’s insulting.” They reach the garage where mechanics swarm Nico’s car, making adjustments based on FP1 data. The familiarity of pre-practice organized chaos calms him.
Roxana approaches, race engineer headset already around her neck. “How did the interview go?”
“Badly.” Nico pulls his arms through his race suit sleeves, zipping it up over his fireproofs. “They’re fishing for anything they can find.”
“Well, they won’t find it here.” She checks her tablet. “Forty-five minutes until the fast lane opens. Let’s discuss your setup.”
Esteban helps adjust his collar. “Let go of your anger, Nico.”
“Sí.” Nico thinks briefly of Petra dealing with her own investigator somewhere in the paddock, probably handling it with more grace than he managed. The thought of her steadies him as he follows his racing engineer to her station.
“The altitude is affecting brake cooling more than we expected.” Rox highlights specific data points. “See here? Temperature spikes in the medium-speed corners.”
“Adjust the brake ducts?” Nico traces the temperature curve. “Maybe redirect more airflow without compromising downforce?”
Heinrich joins the discussion. “We’ve modeled three options.” He points to a technical diagram on Roxana’s screen. “This one gives us better cooling but might affect stability under heavy braking.”
Nico nods. “Show me the comparison data.”
