It was 2002 I just got out of my “test driving” job with Renault and over the past few months they seem to almost “enjoy” my company. Any time I drive there on the sidelines watching, writing notes on their little notepad’s. I felt like I was on to something.
It was at the end of my job being a test driver they offered me a place in the Renault line up. I was shocked with the offer, growing up poor with little opportunities. This was the greatest opportunity I have ever gotten. I took the offer, got some money in my pocket and was ready but I didn’t drive for the first half of the season. Even if a crash or someone couldn’t race, someone else took my place. But towards the end of the season I got an opportunity and swept it up. I raced a regular season race, nothing serious but I was under tremendous pressure knowing that if I didn’t place well I would be done, they would cut me and I would be back to low paying jobs.
It was the day of the race. It was early morning and I was getting my warm up laps in. I did okay in the warm ups but I was freaking out physically and mentally but it was time. I got in my “car” and sat there and really thought about what I was doing. I am a young 22 year old kid from Brazil, the first ever Spanish racer and this is my chance to prove to the world that just because of what I look like does not define me as a person. After my moment of peace it was time, “racers ready,” 3, 2, 1. Off we were all of the other racers where relaxed knowing this race really didn’t matter, it was a wash game, but I knew this was gonna be the most important 60 laps of my life. The first 45 laps I layed low staying around the, 12, and 13 position letting the more experienced racers group up so I could wait for my moment to punch through. Over the next 10 laps I made it up to the 6th position. My goal was to place in the top 5 in this race. And that was going to happen. I passed Ferrari on an inside sweep and I knew if I could hold Ferrari for 1 lap I could place 5th. I held inside that whole lap making no mistakes, and then it hit me I just won my first Formula 1 race. Not only was it a first for me it was a first for the world. I was the first Spanish Formula 1 driver to win a race.
After the race Renault applauded me and I got a lot of compliments about, ¨How they knew I was a great racer¨ but I knew that in my heart I was not just a great racer I would go down in history for my skills. The season was ending. I bought a house and was living my dream. That year was the greatest year of my life. I became a Formula 1 driver and inspired millions of people. Knowing that helped me through all of my hard times and throughout all of my obstacles.
That is how I made a name for myself starting off as a young Spanish test driver to one of Formula One’s “First’s.” This is one of my greatest accomplishments in my life, showing the world that the way you look is not what defines you as a person. That day I inspired millions but the most important thing to me is that I inspired millions of young Spanish boys and girls.