OC Introduction - Zoey Valente
February 2001 // Driver Number: 21 // Mexican
(Important note - F1 Academy started about 5 years earlier than in real life)
Zoey drove karts as soon as she could, often rebelling against her mum's and abuela's wishes for her to pursue a more 'ladylike' endeavour. Her dad was always supportive, never helping her sneak out but also never telling on her if he caught her. Eventually her mum came around, realising that her own family's outdated ideas would not hold Zoey back like they'd held her back in her childhood.
With revenue from their family restaurant - which Zoey helped out with - they saved enough money to move her to England to pursue karting in Europe and, eventually, she was scouted into F1 Academy. She blazes through the junior formulas, winning almost everything she touches, catching the attention of fellow Mexican Sergio Perez and, crucially, the Red Bull Racing academy.
She is currently leading the Formula 2 championship, with Austin Taylor close behind her, trading blows every race. If she wins, she won't be able to race in Formula 2 anymore, putting her at risk of a year out of racing at least.
One would think that the Formula 2 champion wouldn't struggle for a seat, but the world of motorsports was still struggling to remember women existed, let alone women of colour. Zoey was determined to race in 2026, no matter which seat, if only to prove herself at the highest level.
Fun Facts:
Her girlfriend, Maria, is an engineer at VCARB for 2026. They keep their relationship away from the public to avoid the hassle of it all.
She reads a lot. Mostly the classics, and both in Spanish and English, especially on flights to and from races. She did an online part time literature degree when she left school, just for fun.
Still trying very hard to convince Checo to come back to Formula 1 (she is ecstatic in our universe!). He's not her manager but he is in her corner and publicly backs her.
Doesn't care about appealing to the public in terms of PR - if it's in her contract to not say it, she won't, but anything else is fair game.
Career Summary, relevant years:
2019 - started F1 Academy, Red Bull
2020 - F1 Academy, Red Bull (winner)
2022 - Formula 3, this is when Checo starts to back her.
2023 - Formula 3, Campos (winner)
2025 - Formula 2, Campos (winner)
Featured in:
And All The Stars Aligned - SIDE CHARACTER
(Only You Know) I'm Only Me When I'm With You - SIDE CHARACTER
I'll Catch You - SIDE CHARACTER
When I Was Drowning: the duology - SIDE CHARACTER
The Annual Cookie-Baking Frenzy - SIDE CHARACTER
Stand Back Where You Stood - MENTION/SIDE CHARACTER
This Is Our Time - IN PROGRESS
OC MASTERLIST, MASTERLIST
