IL MIO VIAGGIO A SILVERSTONE

Ricevo e volentieri pubblico il racconto del viaggio della nostra amica Rita a Silverstone.

My trip to Silverstone 2012

“I follow Michael since 1991. I’ve been attracted by him since his first race and my feeling has increased more and more every day. I’ve always followed his example of CHAMPION both as a pilot and a man, I’ve tried to live with “patience, perseverance, passion” like him and when he’s decided to come back again I’ve decided to follow him and to support him as much as I can.

2009 has been a terrible year for Michael but it has been a terrible year for me too (I’ve had a serious operation). That’s why when he came back my active career as “Michael Supporter” has become my first activity.

I go to 8/9 grand prix every year and I try to support him as I can.

I’ve been in Barcelona when he’s presented WO3, I’ve been to Barcelona Grand Prix, then to Monte Carlo and finally to Silverstone.

But I won’t stop. My suitcase is ready for Hockenheim, Budapest, Monza, Singapore and Abu Dhabi.

Silverstone has been a fantastic experience.

I’ve left Italy on Thursday morning and I’ve reached Silverstone in the evening. I’ve stopped at Snooze box (the portable hotel in the track) for the first time and for a fan like me it’s a true dream. You arrive and you see the track, his box, his life … almost his smell is in the air or at least I could feel it.

I’ve spent all my first night just dreaming without sleeping but my night was quickly over and at 06:30 I was ready to go to international pit straight … in front of Michael’s box, the position I prefer since ever.

I stayed there all the day following his first and second free practice and shouting his name to support him.

On Saturday I’m arrived even earlier, it was qualifying day and I could have never lost my place in front of him.

Free practice was ok, but during qualify all the sky and it’s rain has gone upon us.

Last year in Spa (for Michael’s 20th anniversary) I’ve lived a similar experience, but this time it was during qualify.

He was 14th and Q2 has only 6 minutes left. My heart was in my throat and not even when Michael has come out to cheer his fans or not even when Nico and Ross and all the Mercedes team have made ola to us (I was just in front of them) I’ve felt better.

Then qualify has began again and my hero …. has been able to give my two presents: his third place and …. the chance to run away, quicker than his WO3, running over or better inside the mud just to take a taxi and “fly” (traffic was really hard so we flew) to Brackley. Yes half an hour later Michael’s fantastic third place I was in Mercedes factory in Brackley. I’ve wished it for a long time and now …. I was there, just trying not to cry.

The factory is fantastic! and the chance to visit it there is really a huge gift for me.

On Sunday I’ve left the hotel to look outside as from my room I’ve not been able to hear … rain. And as I’ve been out I’ve realized … it wasn’t raining.

Why? He just wishes rain, so some rain please a little bit, he deserves it.

But nothing for hours.

Before the race I’ve met other Mercedes fans and at 11:30 I’ve ready for my pictures during drivers parade. I was sitting in front of the podium … simply dreaming.

When Michael has passed near me I’ve shouted as much as I’ve been able to “Michael! Michael I’m here!”

So he’s looked up and he’s greeted and I’ve taken a picture.

Then the race….

I’ve waited for rain, but it hasn’t to come, despite Michael rain dance in the car and mine in the tribune.

However Michael has done a great job, the greatest he could do. He’s even overtaken the local idol Lewis.

And when at the end he’s stopped his “baby” (the WO3) in front of my eyes and my camera I could just shout more and more “Michael! Michael, thanks you’re the gratest” and clap my hands. He was simply looking towards my tribune when english people next to me clapped him.

Wow what a feeling, he’s overtaken Lewis and they clap him … my tears have stayed in my eyes until that moment, but at that time they went out.

The race was over, but I’ve had my last chance … the one to spend my night in my room alongside the track with all my feeling, the ones that only Michael can give to me.

Yesterday I’ve come back home. I live in Sicily.

You can say was has a Sicilian woman (I’m 46) to do with F1 and Michael?

Well he’s my life and he’s example is important for me.

Now I’m ready to leave to Hockenheim, to Budapest, to Monza, to Singapore and finally to ….. Abu Dhabi (for my third visit).

I’ll take you all with me, all over the world with a unique goal …. supporting Michael, pushing him towards the eighth title, not because he’s anything to demonstrate to anybody but simply because he’s the best …. once, now, forever and because he deserves the maximum.

And to Michael just a prayer …. Please sign as quick as you can … I know you’ll stay with us, I know you love us as much as we love you so I’m sure you’ll do.

In Singapore it’ll be my 47th birthday, the first without my dear father that has died on the 29th of march 2012 ….

What a wonderful birthday gift to know that just on the 20th September you’ll sign for more years with us.”

RITA XIUME'