Chapter 19 – Richard
I knew that Dave was going to be pissed that I, well we, told Vincent about his injury, but when we had been in the garage and heard the message about Dave’s legs getting cramps, Jasper had come running over, followed soon after by Daniel.
They both said that the cramping in the legs was not a good sign.
Daniel had then said it was time that we told Vincent what was going on.
I had looked over to Jasper for silent advice and he had just nodded his head.
So, just before the driver press conference had started, we took Vincent aside and explained that David was injured, and that we were worried about him.
That we had been treating him, and it seemed to be working, but that Daniel was worried.
Vincent had not been impressed, and I’m guessing that, at some point in the near future, I’m going to be summoned to his office.
“You’re fucking injured,” Vincent states over to David.
“From your reaction, and the fact that these guys are standing here, I think you know the answer to that,” David replies.
“Yes, but I want to hear it from you, and then I want to know why you decided to keep this from me. From me!” Vincent demands.
I want to go and stand next to David, wrap my arms around him and tell him that it will be okay. That Vincent is probably more disappointed than anything, but it’s just coming out in anger.
“My legs started hurting during the break between the Belgium and Netherlands races. But recently, it got worse,” David starts, and at least he’s giving Vincent the full picture. “My doctor recently diagnosed me with shin splints.”
“And did your doctor tell you that you needed to rest?” Vincent adds.
“Yes,” David replies.
“But you didn’t. You kept pushing yourself,” Vincent says over to him.
“I thought I could handle it, and I was.”
“Not that well because you got these three involved,” Vincent adds. “That’s it, you are out, for the rest of the season.”
“Vincent, no, there are only three races left,” David pleads.
“Yep, which is enough time for you to completely rest your legs, ready for the next season,” Vincent states.
David just stands there, staring at Vincent, his eyes are alight with fury. This is not what I wanted. If David doesn’t finish out this season, then I know that he won’t come back. David will retire, regardless of what we say to him.
“Daniel, Jasper, with direct care and treatment over the next two weeks, including rest, could David drive the last three races?”
I know I’m overstepping, and I can see that Vincent is not impressed that I have asked the question. I’m not going to take it back, and I know that, at this moment, that I’m thinking more like a boyfriend than the head of training.
“With the right care, he could be in a position to race, but we would have to deal with it on a race-by race basis,” Daniel says.
“Vincent.” Turning to face him, “it’s three races. God knows how, but he managed to compete in four races without correct treatment.”
“Yes, but…”
“But think about it, we really don’t need the press this could generate. Pulling a driver so close to the end. The questions that will be asked. Even if we release a statement, the rumour mill will say that it’s down to a lack of contract next year.”
“I really do hate you at times,” Vincent says over to me, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
“Sometimes I just look at the bigger picture when you are too annoyed to see it,” I tell him.
“Vincent, Richard,” Daniel calls over to us. “Can I take David through to the ice bath?”
“Yes, of course. When the treatment is over, we can discuss this further,” Vincent says, and I watch as Daniel, Jasper, and Dave walk into a room off to the side.
“How long have you known about this?” Vincent asks, when we’re alone.
“A week. Just after the Mexican Grand Prix,” I tell him.
“How? How do you know about this before me?”
Well, Dave and I are in a relationship, he’s slept with Jasper, and the pair of us noticed something none of you guys did because we’re so close.
We then basically trapped him in his room till he told us, and have been treating him all week – this is what I wanted to say to Vincent, instead, I blamed Jasper, or gave the credit to Jasper.
“Jasper spotted something and he came up to me and voiced his concern. I didn’t mention anything to you in case it was nothing.”
“You should’ve told me last week. We could’ve had the whole team behind him, making sure that he was getting the best treatment,” Vincent explains, and these are words that I know I can’t argue with. But this week, I followed my heart, and not my business head.
“Daniel and Jasper have been taking excellent care of him,” I add. “Daniel has been monitoring him. There is no way he would let David race if he thought that there was going to be an issue.”
“Yes, but now we have an issue, don’t we? His legs went into cramps while in the car.”
“But David stayed in control, and this might have nothing to do with the shin splints. It could just be the demands of this track.”
“You don’t believe that, do you?” Vincent asks, and no, I don’t believe it, but I’m not going to say that to him.
“All I know is that if you push David to sit out the rest of the races, we will lose him.”
I let my words sink in before I continue. “Vincent, we need to tread carefully. Yes, I know that he’s injured, but we’re going to have to trust the medical team. They will deem him fit to race, or not.”
“I had a friend, he was a runner, a damn good one. Then he got injured. Told us he had shin splints. I didn’t think anything of it.
Do you know how long it took him to recover?
” Vincent states, and I shake my head no.
“Two years, and the reason that it took so long was because he didn’t listen. Tried to go back too soon.”
“David is not your friend,” I tell him, but I can understand why Vincent wanted to stop David from racing, he didn’t want to see him suffer like his friend did.
“Just because I don’t want to deal with the headlines, and I need to figure out what the hell is going on with Lars’s car, I’m putting David in your care.”
“My care?” I question, wondering where Vincent is going with this.
“Yes, your care. I need to make sure David is getting all the right treatments, while I stay with the engineers. I don’t care if you need to stay in the same room as him, but you will make sure he rests, and follows Daniel’s instructions.”
“You want me to stay in the same room as him?” Not sure that I heard Vincent right, or that I could quite believe my luck.
“Not the ideal situation, but I know what David is like. I’m sure that he would sneak out training if someone isn’t with him,” Vincent explains.
“Wouldn’t it make sense for Daniel to stay with him then?” I add, mentally kicking myself.
“Honestly, I will leave it up to you. I was only thinking that you and I know David will be safe in your hands, and I couldn’t think of a better way of making sure he follows orders that having his boss in the same room would do.
I can get you a suite, two separate bedrooms, it’s just so that you are close. ”
“One, why would David be safe in my hands, and secondly, I’m not his boss.” But I almost want to kick myself that I’m arguing with his suggestion.
“Well, one, David doesn’t bat for our team,” Vincent adds with a smile, “or have your tastes. And yeah you are his boss, in a roundabout way. You couldn’t fire him, true, but you do hold his future in your hands.”
“Vincent, really, bat for our team. How old are you?” But I still return his smile.
I’m beginning to wonder if Vincent has lost it. In all the years we have worked together, he’s never once suggested something like this, and I need to know why he’s going to these extremes now, even if, secretly, I love it.
“Vincent, this isn’t like you. You have never suggested we do something like this before. Why is this situation any different?”
“We have never had a team like Lars and David. They have dominated the track this year. I want to show David that we care. That he’s important to the team.”
“Or, are you trying to punish him for not telling you that he was injured?” I counter.
Vincent doesn’t answer me, and I know that I have hit the nail on the head. I also know that if the press gets a hold of David and I sharing a room, they will have a field day, and I know that I’m going to have to stop this idea.
“Look,” Vincent says, and his tone has taken on an edge that tells me that he’s serious, “this is not ideal, but this will be my stipulation for allowing David to drive.”
“Vincent, calm down for a second, and think about this. David will have his team around him, and I will stay close, but there is no way we can share a room, or a suite. For one, the team will find it strange, start asking questions, and second, think about the press if they hear about it. We are trying to keep this injury under wraps, not broadcast it to the world.”
“Tell me again why I thought it was a good idea to employ my best friend?”
“Because I’m the only one able to pull your head out of your arse when you’re not thinking straight,” I tell him.
Vincent opens his mouth to argue, but doesn’t. Instead, he says, “The crew wants to spend a few extra days here working on Lars’s car. David, Daniel, and yourself, head to Vegas as soon as you can, and keep me posted on his progress.”
“Will do,” I confirm.
“Just make sure he knows that I’m still pissed,” Vincent says as he turns and leaves the room.
“Oh, he knows,” I shout after him, and all Vincent does is give me a wave.
Getting Dave to agree to go to Vegas just for him to rest, well, that had been another issue entirely. We had been here a week now, and on more than one occasion, I had contemplated calling Vincent and telling him that he needed to upgrade Dave to a suite, and me or Daniel needed to stay with him.
My mobile ringing pulls me out of my thoughts, and when I look at the screen and see Daniel’s name across it, my stomach sinks.