Before the start of the South African Grand Prix.
Before the start of the South African Grand Prix, the sprint or warm-up sessions, the circuit buzzed with checks, briefings, and audits.
While officials handled technicalities and drivers rotated between preparation and press duties, one driver, DiMarco withdrew from it all. He spent longer than usual inside his personal booth near the uniform room, preferring silence.
He used the muffled world and his isolation to steady his breathing and order his thoughts. After all, this was his first race since his injury, and he didn't expect the stakes to be this high for himself.
After about seven minutes, DiMarco finally faced the mirror. Twenty-five years old. He had dominated F2, yet no Formula One championship. Maybe there was a curse in the air, maybe not, but DiMarco refused to believe his story would end like Marcellus'.
