The Team // A Formula One AU

Lance

I laugh with the others when they joke about Nico's spin and I eat my whole burrito and a salad too. Getting my first point has really affected my appetite and my sense of humour. I'm sitting next to Fernando and Esteban is at the other end of the table, far, far away from me for now. I can relax and enjoy this expensive meal out.

"Okay lads, everyone listen up and I'll tell you what's going on." Tom stands up at the head of the table and we quickly quieten down. "As you hopefully know, we're heading to Las Vegas tonight to try and avoid having to drive so far in the blazing heat. I'm sorry about the journey from New York, that was horrendous."

Carlos whispers to Lando asking what horrendous means. Lando says he doesn't know.

"Are you sure it's not just to save money on hostel rooms?" Checo jokes and Tom sighs fondly.

"I can assure you I'd rather sleep in the hostel for another night than drive our stupid green bus through the desert at three in the morning. But we're setting off at ten o'clock, which should get us there by four in the afternoon. You'll have your free day on Tuesday because tomorrow we're going to be at the track in the evening."

"Hear that Alex? Tuesday." Max nudges him and the British boy covers his face with his hands, shaking his head. That was the reason we all had to go to the gym in Nashville on Monday.

"Back to racing, it's still mathematically possible for any of you to win. Three weeks, a maximum of forty-five points up for grabs. Even if you've struggled up until now there's no reason to stop pushing."

I smile at that. I guess it's something, even though I'm one of those who really could use all forty-five points.

"Finally, with Lance and Alex both picking up points today, that means every one of you is off the mark. That just proves what you're all capable of. There are no backmarkers in this team, and nobody who doesn't deserve to be here. Three more weeks, lads. Anything could happen."

Tom sits down and that's the end of the news. Checo claps me on the back and everyone seems genuinely happy to have me joining the championship fight. I guess that's what it's like when you all drive for the same team. The waiter comes over to take our pudding orders and Tom gets me a slice of chocolate cake to celebrate, met by gloomy stares from Weird Old Phil. This really is a strange week.

"Hey Lance, do you want to come into the city with us on Tuesday?" Max asks, leaning over three people to look at me down the table. "We booked two taxis to the strip but our timetables don't line up, now we only need one. Alex's too awkward to cancel."

"I don't see why I should be the one to cancel," Alex complains.

"Because it was your idea," Max replies without turning away from me. "So you in?"

I pull out my fresh new timetable and consider for a moment, scanning it to see when my optional track time is. The steering on my kart needs some work if I want to improve from today's race but I quickly conclude that anything is better than hanging out with Esteban and Nikita in the garage all day. "Sure."

"Awesome. We're leaving straight after lunch."

"Awesome." I smile. I wonder what there is to see in Las Vegas. It should be the coolest place we've visited so far.

After everyone has finished their meals we begin the walk back to the hostel to finish packing. It's dark now, the street outside smells like flowers and warm road and I feel without a care in the world for the first time. In one week everything has changed, and I think it's going to keep changing for the better. Maybe for once I'll hang out with someone other than Valtteri and Esteban. Maybe I can write my parents a postcard and tell them all the good news.