{"id":255664,"date":"2026-07-13T04:33:05","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T01:33:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1kitap1.com\/en\/challenge-samantha-m-thomas\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T04:33:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T01:33:05","slug":"challenge-samantha-m-thomas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1kitap1.com\/en\/challenge-samantha-m-thomas\/","title":{"rendered":"Challenge – Samantha M Thomas"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It\u2019s not much different from the academy. Sawyer placed second, and David Acevedo managed to win. I\u2019m not even upset that I didn\u2019t win because no matter the place, I\u2019m the first woman to podium in a Formula 1 race. Ever. I soak it in as tears flow down my face. A trophy gets handed to me, and that feels more surreal than anything else. As the anthems play, I look out into the crowd.<\/p>\n

The entire Empress team is there: Sydney, Daisy, Beck, Luka, Felix, Toni, Cruz, Jason. Anyone associated with Empress is standing together as one, smiles wide across their faces. Then my eyes catch on Nate and well with fresh tears. Light glossy trails of wetness streak down his cheeks with the biggest smile in between.<\/p>\n

The dimples that I\u2019ve seen far too little of lately shine brighter than the trophy sitting in front of me. He mouths, You fucking did it! It makes my smile grow wider, if it\u2019s even possible. It\u2019s not possible to answer him back because I know there are a million cameras on me, but if I could, I would tell him that we did it.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no way I could have done this without him. It feels so menial, third place, but right now? After so much doubt, it\u2019s everything. And then the champagne sprays. Tradition dictates you spray the winner, but the racers on stage and the constructor that won for today\u2019s race all turn to me and douse me.<\/p>\n

I hold out my bottle to the side, both arms extended out, and literally soak in the moment as well as the champagne. I don\u2019t know if I\u2019ll ever get the chance to be up here again, and I don\u2019t want to forget any second of it. It\u2019s all over too fast. We\u2019re ushered off the stage and moved back to our garages. The room erupts in cheers as I step through the doors. More shoulder slaps and congratulations are doled out as I make my way into the crowd.<\/p>\n

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact samanthamthomasauthor@gmail.com. The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious.<\/p>\n

No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred. Book Cover by Samantha M Thomas Editor: Amy @coffeeandbookobsessed Proofreader: Nina Fiegl First edition 2025 1kitap1.com\/en Contents Dedication 1. Chapter 1 2. Chapter 2 3. Chapter 3 4.<\/p>\n

Chapter 4 5. Chapter 5 6. Chapter 6 7. Chapter 7 8. Chapter 8 9. Chapter 9 10. Chapter 10 11. Chapter 11 12. Chapter 12 13. Chapter 13 14. Chapter 14 15. Chapter 15 16. Chapter 16 17. Chapter 17 18. Chapter 18 19. Chapter 19 20. Chapter 20 21. Chapter 21 22. Chapter 22 23. Chapter 23 24. Chapter 24 25. Chapter 25 26. Chapter 26 27. Chapter 27 28.<\/p>\n

Chapter 28 29. Chapter 29 30. Chapter 30 31. Chapter 31 32. Chapter 32 33. Chapter 33 34. Chapter 34 35. Chapter 35 36. Chapter 36 37. Chapter 37 38. Chapter 38 39. Chapter 39 40. Chapter 40 41. Chapter 41 42. Chapter 42 43. Chapter 43 44. Chapter 44 45. Epilogue 1kitap1.com\/en Dedication To the people that just get you.<\/p>\n

Sometimes people get put into your life and you know they are a soulmate. And to Nate: You have been a blast to write. You are the ultimate golden retriever, and I have loved every single minute of writing you. 1kitap1.com\/en Chapter 1 Remi Ten months ago . . . Sometimes, I doubt my decision to pursue Formula 1. Today is not one of those times. The Formula 1 Academy had one of its few races in Japan today, and I dominated on all fronts.<\/p>\n

Now, I\u2019m enjoying a drink at some off- the-beaten-path bar, soaking in my win without the usual fanfare. After most races, the absence of my family and the lack of support for my career hang over my head like a rain cloud, drenching my success with sadness. But not today. Today, I want to bask in the win. Revel in the fact that I\u2019m doing everything in my power to work my way up and have a real chance to make history.<\/p>\n

I sip the Japanese whiskey, closing my eyes to savor the clean flavor. \u201cThis seat taken?\u201d A deep yet smooth voice pulls me from my analysis of the drink. Startled, I look up, then up farther to see navy eyes staring at me with curiosity.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.<\/em><\/p>\n

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