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AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX LAP 44/58
Over the roar of the car’s engine, Johnny hears his radio crackle. Reed’s voice breaks through the static, “You’ll have 14 laps left after you cross the line. We expect rain in the upcoming laps; I’ll keep you updated.”
“Got it,” Johnny grits out as he rounds another corner.
He once again hears his radio start up. Only this time, it’s Sue, “Play it safe. If you need to box, let Reed know. Stay safe.”
As he begins formulating a snarky reply, Johnny sees rain droplets hitting his visor. Cursing internally, he begins to think about how he can’t afford to fuck up now. Not after all the arguments, media shit talk, and online criticisms. Not in his debut race.
1 YEAR AGO:
Johnny had just received the opportunity of a lifetime, and there was no talking him out of it. He’d done too much to quit now.
“Racing for F1 isn’t any more dangerous than what we do regularly! You can’t possibly be telling me to give up this opportunity, Sue!” Johnny exclaimed. He could feel heat simmering beneath his skin as he glared at Sue across the table.
“That’s exactly my point!” Sue countered, “Why put yourself in unnecessary danger? Isn’t being a superhero enough?”
He could feel his hair begin to flare with his frustration. It wasn’t about being a hero. It was about feeling like he was something.
With his childhood circumstances, Johnny had started his racing career much later than most drivers. He’d trained and fought hard to advance his racing career. He’d be on the track or watching races every second he could spare. It made him feel alive in a way nothing else had. Slowly, but surely, Johnny’s training began to pay off as people started to recognize him for his talents and skills.
Then, he decided to follow his big sister to space and came back forever changed.
Until he got his powers under control, he could not be inside a vehicle. The need to be behind the wheel crawled under his skin. People began to forget his name in the racing world as the months ticked by. When he was finally able to return to the track, the need to prove himself had intensified.
Now more than ever, Johnny needed racing. It felt good to be good at something. Surrounded by Sue, Reed, and Ben made him feel small. He wasn’t a decorated Air Force pilot or super genius. He was just an adrenaline junkie college dropout with fire powers.
Racing allowed him to be more than that. It gave him an identity outside his family and powers. Surely, Sue and Reed understood this.
Next to Sue, Reed crossed his arms and his brows furrowed as he stared intently at the contract Johnny spread out on the table.
“Reed, surely you can see where I’m coming from,” Johnny pleaded.
Reed seems to fold further into himself, thinking, as Sue puts her head into her hands out of exasperation. The room’s temperature ticked up a degree or two as Johnny exhaled.
“Well, it doesn’t matter, I’m 19 now. I don’t need your approval or permission,” Johnny bites out as he snatches the contract papers off the table and turns toward the elevator. “I was just hoping you’d be happy for me.”
LAP 45/58
When it rains, it pours, Johnny thinks to himself, blinded by the car spray in front of him. He fights to keep his car from slipping off the track as he radios, “The track is starting to get completely soaked.”
Immediately, Reed replies, “It’s your call.”
A Stark car spins off in front, having lost grip in the pouring rain. Veering towards the left, Johnny narrowly avoids a collision. An Oscorp car slides into the gravel at the next turn, and the rain intensifies. Johnny curses as he narrowly manages to avoid a similar fate.
Voice shaking, he radios in, “Fuck, two cars just went off in front of me. I’m going to need to box next lap. There’s no way I can stay out with these tires.”
“Understood, Johnny. Be careful. Be careful.”
“Johnny, wait,” Reed started, “What’re your thoughts on Sue and me starting a team and having you race for us instead?”
Johnny turned and gave Reed an incredulous look.
Reed continued, “It’d give us more reassurance for your safety if we built the car and helped you during the races.”
Glancing at Sue, Johnny saw a flicker of surprise cross her face, but Johnny could see the gears turning.
“If you’re going to race regardless of what we say, I’d feel better knowing that we constructed a car to the best of our abilities,” Sue affirmed.
On paper, Johnny should be happy for their support, but all he could feel was bitterness.
Memories of headlines labeling him as nothing more than an “Airhead Celebrity Superhero” who’d be nothing without his connection to the Fantastic Four or his powers swirled through his head. He would prove them all wrong. Red-hot anger burned through his chest.
Turning back towards the two of them with sparks in his eyes, Johnny exclaimed, “You don’t understand! Just once, I want to be able to do something completely on my own.”
Reed and Sue are both caught off guard by Johnny’s exclamation. Before Sue could interject, Johnny cut her off and continued, “Ever since we became the Fantastic Four, the world’s seen me as the dumb, celebrity kid with superpowers. You’ve seen the tabloids!”
Johnny exhaled before continuing, “Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade being part of the Fantastic Four for anything in the world, but I also want to show the world that I’m capable of more than that.”
Raising the contract papers, he shouted, “This is my chance to do just that.”
LAP 46/58
“Box now, Johnny, box, box.”
“Copy.”
Pulling into the pit lane, Johnny can see Wyatt’s towering figure waiting for him with the front jack ready. Within 2 seconds, Johnny was out of the pits. Glancing back into his mirror, he sees Wyatt giving him a thumbs up.
Smiling, Johnny comments, “That was a fantastic stop.”
With a chuckle, Sue responds, “Indeed, it was. The wind’s picking up, so be careful, and we’ll keep you updated.”
“I didn’t know that’s how you’ve felt about all this,” Sue started slowly, “You know you don’t have to prove yourself to us or the world.”
“I wish that were true, Sue,” Johnny huffed out as he shook his head, “I don’t have a college degree or a decorated background in the Air Force. All I’ve got is the Fantastic Four and racing. I’m not good for much else.”
Reed’s brows furrowed as he absorbed everything Johnny’d just laid bare. He inhaled and walked towards Johnny, stopping a few feet before him.
“I’m sorry for the pressure you’re feeling, but I hope you know that I’ve always been impressed by your dedication and skills in racing. That’s also why I want to support you the best I can. I’m sure Sue can agree.” Sue nods as she walks over as well.
“But, I think you know more than anyone that Formula 1 is a team sport. Half the fight is building the car to the best of each team’s abilities. The other half?” Reed beamed at Johnny and laid a hand on his shoulder, “That’s all the driver. It doesn’t matter how great a car a team makes if the driver can’t draw out its full potential.”
Smiling, Sue interjected, “Most people know it takes enormous skill and training to drive an F1 car. I’m still worried about your safety, but I know you’re just as stubborn as I am, so I’d rather actively support you than watch from the sidelines.”
Johnny stared them in disbelief while clutching the contract tightly. “You two are unbelievable,” he huffed, “Fine, I’ll drive for your team. I have no idea how you’ll squeeze in a new team in less than a year, but if you do, I’ll do it.”
Withdrawing his arm, Reed smiled at Johnny and replied, “Stark owes me a favor. I’ll make it happen.”
“We’ll make it happen, don’t you worry about that part,” Sue stated as she hugged Johnny.
Returning the hug, he whipped his head toward Reed and laughed, “You just didn’t want me driving for Stark!”
LAST LAP
The rain is finally beginning to let up, and Johnny can see he’s about a second behind the leading Stark car. The track is still slick with water from the rain. He feels the car lose its grip for the briefest moment, before he corrects it with a colorful string of curses.
Three times, he tries to overtake the Stark car. Each time, he just barely falls short. He sees the chequered flag as he takes second place and cheers into the radio loud enough to make Sue and Reed wince.
Breathlessly, Johnny radios, “What a race! Holy shit. Thank you all so much. Couldn’t have done it without you.
“Great job, Johnny. Great job. What a debut,” Reed replies amusedly.
“A podium on debut! You did wonderfully, Johnny. Congratulations!” Sue cheers as she pulls Reed into a tight hug.
Heart pounding, Johnny pulls behind the 2nd place placard. Johnny hurries to lift himself out of the cockpit. As he stands on top of his vehicle to cheer, he can feel the residual heat from the car cling to him, further energizing him. The crowd's roar is deafening, but upon lifting his visor, Johnny scans the sidelines for one specific face.
Amidst the blue uniforms of his team, he can see an atrocious grey vest, a beat-up camera, and a mop of unruly brown hair. Immediately, Johnny jumps off his car towards Peter. Running towards him with arms outstretched, Peter catches him and pulls him into a bone-crushing hug. Johnny hears the thunk of Peter’s glasses against his helmet and laughs as the team chants his name.
“Holy shit, Johnny, that was amazing,” Peter yelled over the crowd, “You gave me a heart attack a couple of times, but you did great, flamebrain.”
Hugging Peter tighter, Johnny shouts back, “I’ll get P1 next time! Get ready to be sick of taking pictures of me on the podium!”