A/N - Hello. This is the eighth chapter in this series. The first and only for this category. I've had this series switching from category to category and always planned for a chapter to appear here.
This chapter is somewhat influenced by my late grandfather. He was a massive Nigel Mansell fan, and in the 1980s and early 1990s, trying to watch a primarily European-based Formula One championship wasn't easy in Australia. He'd either stay up and watch the race live late into the evening or more often than not, he'd have to record it on a VHS tape. He seemed to know that 1992 would be Mansell's year as he recorded every race from that season and kept all the VHS tapes until his death.
That being the case, there are a couple of incidents in this chapter very much influenced by the career of Nigel Mansell. He wasn't the most talented of drivers, but by God, he had massive balls and a never-say-die attitude. I'm old enough to have watched Mansell race and can certainly respect his record. And despite his reputation as a moaner and right bastard at times, he's definitely mellowed with age. Seeing him at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in recent years, the British crowd still adore him and seeing Nigel choked up at the love he's still shown is no longer a surprise.
Australian / British standard English. There is a good chance of reading the following: lots of profanity, characters drinking, typos, and bad grammar at times.
Proofreading and editing suggestions provided by OhDave1. Any mistakes are still mine.
Comments are appreciated as always.
Feedback by email is always welcome. Enjoy chatting with anyone who likes my work.
*****
Can he now challenge for the championship?
*****
It wasn't unusual for me to visit the factory at least once a week even during the off-season. The team was still working hard during the off-season to get the cars built and prepared for testing when it began in February. The mechanics and those who worked for the team liked it when the drivers would come and visit. I knew all of them by name, and they appreciated the fact that I'd just walk around, talk to them, ask plenty of questions, and get their viewpoint and opinions about certain matters.
Giancarlo has summoned me to the factory this time and hadn't told me why. I was greeted as always with a handshake as I knew my relationship with Giancarlo was now very close. I knew he still considered Pierluigi a close and personal friend, the pair still speaking on the phone a couple of times a week, and Pierluigi would still visit the factory somewhat regularly.
After Maria walked in with an espresso for each of us, giving me that usual smile she always had whenever we met up, she left the door open as we were joined a couple of minutes later by the Marketing Director, basically the man in charge of securing sponsorship for the team. That had me raising my eyebrows as I was wondering who the team had secured.
After the usual small talk about what I was doing during the off-season, Giancarlo was always interested to hear about my training regime and what I did to keep myself sharp, Massimo cleared his throat and I turned my eyes towards him.
"As you're well aware, Marco, Formula One is an expensive sport and even teams like us are hoping to secure major sponsors to help bankroll our operations. Martini & Rosso are very happy with us and will continue to be our major sponsor for at least the next five years. Of course, there are provisos and clauses in the contract regarding our performance, but basically, the better we do, the more money they will give us. They loved seeing you on the top step twice last season, and hope that form will continue into this season."
"But while they are providing plenty of financial support, we need even more to really help us leap towards the front," Giancarlo added, "I don't want to have tobacco sponsors on my car. Purely a personal thing, but I've never had a major tobacco company plastered all over my cars. But while Martini & Rosso have proven to be fantastic partners, we're always looking for more."
"We've generally stuck to gaining sponsorship from European companies, but our growing exposure recently has led to interest from companies outside Europe," Massimo continued, "And given the popularity of Formula One in Japan, it is no surprise that Japanese companies are now looking at avenues of sponsorship. Although many companies would prefer to align with Honda and Williams, there are companies who simply want to see their names on the rear wings or side-pods of a car leading the race."
"I'm guessing a company is interested in sponsoring us then?" I asked, "But I've heard rumours that many sponsors want to see a driver from their country. I heard more than one rumour that Williams were already under pressure to dump Rosberg and have a Japanese driver next to Ayrton."
Giancarlo shook his head. "Just rumours, Marco. And Frank (Williams) would never agree to it anyway. He'd rather dump Honda than be told who would drive one of his cars. Senna will stay at Williams as long as Honda is there. As for Rosberg, he's probably got a couple more seasons at most anyway."
"More Japanese companies are showing an interest in sponsoring teams in Formula One, Marco, and I've been in deep discussions with a large electronics manufacturer for the past six months. I'm flying out to Japan in two weeks to seal the deal and I would like you to come with me. There's a good chance of photo opportunities, and I have no doubt they'll eventually be wanting your face on advertisements and perhaps even in commercials," Massimo explained.
"The company is Panasonic, Marco," Giancarlo continued, "Martini & Rosso will continue to appear on our rear wing and the engine covering. When Panasonic sign the deal, their name will appear prominently on our side-pods and front wings."
"Martini & Rosso will also continue to be our title sponsor," Massimo added, "However, Panasonic will feature prominently in the motorhome and also in our pit area. We made them aware of our long-standing relationship with Martini & Rosso, and given they are completely different companies, we believe that they will be happy with the terms. What will make them happiest will be seeing their name featured when you cross the line to win races."
"Two weeks? If you want or need me to go, I'll be happy to join you. I love Japan though I've rarely had more than a day or two to explore before I'm at Suzuka."
That response led to smiles and Massimo assured me that he'd organise all the travel and accommodation arrangements, telling me that although the contract was ready to go, he expected one or two last-minute twists and possible amendments. Giancarlo would be kept up to date while we were away, and in the end, we'd probably be in Japan for around a week. Massimo added that they'd likely want me to do a couple of photo shoots as soon as the ink was dry.
After having a good chat with a few of the guys on the shop floor, busy getting the new cars built and prepared for testing, I returned home and immediately let Sophia and Anja know what would be happening. Sophia wouldn't be able to come given she was working and would be using most of her available holidays to come with me to various races, while Anja admitted to no real interest in coming to Japan. Massimo wouldn't have minded me bringing either or both of them.
"While you're away, you can have some fun," Anja said at dinner together that evening. Sophia giggled, glancing her way to see her smiling at me. "And you know that me and Sophia won't have a problem with that."
"Better than just your hand, right?" Sophia asked before she laughed to herself.
"I'll only be gone for a week or so..."
