The Team // A Formula One AU

Mick

Fifth. That's a result worth smiling about. I try desperately to drink as Lando pours his lemonade into my mouth straight from the bottle, almost hitting me in the head with his first place trophy. I swear they get bigger every week, and the last thing I need is to drown before we leave New York.

Max grins above me, satisfied with second place, and Sebastian sways in a daze as though he can't believe he's on the podium for the third week in a row. For me, fifth is good progress. Hopefully next week it'll be my turn for a trophy.

"That's enough sugar now, if you drink any more you won't be able to sleep tonight." Weird Old Phil snatches the bottle from Lando's hands and tries to take Max's too but my friend keeps a tight grip.

"If I can't drink it, I'm at least going to spray it over myself."

Phil's eyes go wide and he makes a frail run for it as Max shakes what's left out over the crowd. When every last drop is either on the floor or in our hair, we start to disperse. Most go to prepare their cars and tools for pack-up, but I want to get changed.

On the way, I'm intercepted on the way by a woman I don't recognise. Although she's holding a tape recorder and notepad so I can make a pretty good guess at who she is.

"Mick Schumacher! Do you have time for a quick interview?"

I can feel lemonade and sweat still dripping down my back, but it is pretty exciting to be asked to comment on the race. I've given a few interviews before at other karting tournaments but I know that speaking as a Fortress driver could really make people take notice of me.

"Sure," I say. The woman holds the tape recorder towards me and I suddenly feel grateful there aren't any cameras with her. I need to start remembering to bring a towel to the pit lane.

"So, fifth place! How would you rate your driving today?"

"Pretty good, it's my best result yet so of course I'm happy. Next week I'll be focussing on getting a podium."

"Big targets! How likely do you think that is?"

"As long as I prepare right, learn the track early in the week and make the necessary adjustments to my set-up, I'm confident I can give it a good shot. Of course, it depends on my teammates, too."

"Your teammates, of course. Do you think of Fortress World Karting as a team, or is it just about the championship for you?"

"It's a team. There's nothing that makes you more competitive than the desire to beat your best friends."

"Interesting words. Thanks, Mick."

"Thank you," I grin. Interviews are fun, but probably only when you're in a good mood. I can't imagine the questions I might have been asked if I had done badly today.

Charles is staring at himself in the mirror when I get to the changing room. He jumps when I come in.

"What are you doing?" I laugh.

His eyes look vacant and my smile fades slightly.

"The problem is me," he says. "I'm the only reason I can't win races."

Of course. Gina.

"Well... Yeah, it's true," I reply. "You're responsible for your own destiny."

Charles looks at me as if I've just told him the destiny of the entire world is resting on his shoulders. He gulps, then Pierre bursts in.

"Seventh!"

"That's great," Charles smiles weakly. "I came twelfth."

"Twelfth isn't bad at all, Charles," I tell him. "There's always the next race."

Max struts in next, followed closely by Daniel and George. Daniel shimmies towards me and slaps both my hands in a high ten. I'm glad to see the early retirement after he stalled and Yuki crashed into the back of his kart hasn't affected his energy too much.

I join Max by my clothes and start to peel off my lemonade-y race suit. It's great to be back beside my towel. George stands across from us and I listen as Max turns to him.

"Good race, shame about your spin on the first lap."

"Yeah... I never really recovered from that." George rubs his hair dry and laughs cautiously.

"It was a shame. I look forward to battling against you next week." They fist bump and Max turns back to me. Now that is a surprise. I guess the rivalry is well and truly behind them.

"Lads! Don't get changed!"

I turn towards Tom, already halfway into my jeans. "What?"

"A couple of local newspapers want to take photos of us for their websites, so get your suits back on. It'll be great exposure!"

I meet Max's eyes then we both look down at our sticky wet race suits lying on the floor. He sighs heavily.

"I had better get a sponsor out of this."