The Team // A Formula One AU

Max

The anticipation is killing me.

"I think I'm gonna be sick. I need to go to the toilet and sick up all my lunch. I'm telling you, because-"

"Lando, will you be quiet?" Tom says from across the dressing room. He also looks a little on edge from the whole thing. I guess he's been working on this moment for years.

"But actually though. I'm on the verge of-"

"We don't want to know!" Charles yells and hits Lando with his balaclava. Lando doesn't look very ill but all his talk of throwing up is unsettling the atmosphere. We're all changed so the principal takes the opportunity to start his team talk, making sure Weird Old Phil is next door so he can't spoil it.

"Well, here we are, after months of planning and preparation. I want you to know that I really am confident that you can all show something today. You shouldn't feel pressure, you shouldn't feel bad if things don't work out as you'd hoped. Just aim to show everyone that you're not here to mess around.

"The grid is this. Daniel on pole. Fernando, Seb, Carlos and Lando..." Tom goes on but I focus instead on my breathing. I've been running through my race start obsessively since I woke up this morning. That's going to be the most important part of this, starting from nineteenth.

I drop my eyes to the ground and envisage the sprint to the first corner, the line I need to take, the critical moments that will put me ahead of George. My main rival who looks just as concentrated as I am, eyes also glued to the floor. His fingers twitch as if going through the gears.

"- and remember what we've been working on, remember your strengths and the others' weaknesses, keep your minds focused all the way through the race. You never know what might happen in racing."

I can't help thinking back on the three weeks I've spent with these guys. Although we've been racing before and it's definitely been intense, this is a new level now. We're racing for points, we're racing for the championship. No more jokes, no more support, no more encouragement. Everyone for themselves.

I can't believe I messed up yesterday.

"Race to win, guys, all of you. I have a feeling everyone's going to be surprised today. You're all quality drivers, look around you. Do you see a single person here who you would be comfortable seeing in your rear-view mirror? No. So if you think you're not up to scratch, remember you're one of the top twenty in the world. This is your chance to prove you're even more than that."

I sit up and run my fingers over the helmet in my lap, feeling a wave of nervy tingles. My number is on my back, the rivalry is thick in the air and it feels as through the world is watching. I bite my leg, right knee begging to shake up and down. One of the top twenty in the world.

"Are you all ready to go?" Tom asks. I glance sideways as Daniel stands up, pulling on his helmet as he walks towards the principal. The others follow until almost the whole team forms a line in front of Tom. I furrow my brow and join onto the back.

"Can you check my neck brace?" Dan asks sweetly and Tom stares at him. "Please?"

"Uh..." He glances at Dan's chest where the neck brace lies with its straps dangling limply. "I uh... I suppose so."

Tom reaches up to fasten my friend in tightly, checking his helmet as Dan grins around at everyone else. Tom straightens up and for the first time seems to notice the length of the line. He sighs at Lando. "You too?"

One by one, we all have our safety thoroughly checked and the others head out to the pit lane to perform some final checks on thier cars. I'm the last one left in the changing room with Tom, and when he pats my helmet he gives me a strange smile.

"I can't believe this is really happening, Max," he says, running his hand through his hair.

"You're not even racing," I sigh shakily. "Imagine how it feels for all of us."

Tom breathes out and throws his huge bag of papers and tools over his shoulder. "Trust me, there's plenty of work to do. Good luck, Max. Your quali doesn't have to stop you getting points today."

"Thanks," I nod. I lead the way towards the pit lane and try not to think about George. I was so angry at the time, but now I'm only angry at myself. It was my fault. I put myself in this position, but now it's time to fix it.

I close my visor. Tough on the outside, tough on the inside.

Despite the jokes and the friendship, as soon as my shell is closed all I can think about is winning. I take a deep breath and block out everything else. Just winning.

It's time to go.