Seven years ago, Vicky Piria felt like she was on the verge of achieving something special. The Italian racer was talking to F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone and the Caterham team about the possibility of a test role for 2013.
Just 18 years old, she was racing in the GP3 series, two steps below F1 in the racing pyramid, and the world was at her feet. Two years later, she would compete in a single-seater race for what, until this weekend, appeared to be the last time.
"It's hard because when you're there, you feel like you're nearly touching the stars," Piria told ESPN.