F1 One Shots

Lewis Hamilton - My Champion

The atmosphere was tense within the Mercedes garage, it was the last couple of laps  of the final race; the Abu Dhabi grand prix of 2021.

Lewis was fighting the Red Bull driven by Sergio Perez for the second place on the podium, he had to finish second otherwise Max would win his first championship after a long and difficult battle across the past 22 races where there had been ups and down for both contenders

He'd qualified on pole yesterday, Max being in second but he'd been spun by Ricciardo who'd started a season best fourth. He had worked his way up overtaking all but two on his way from last to second but now through the final laps of 2021 it was getting crucial, there was no way he would be able to catch the first Red Bull it being 13 seconds up the road but he had to defend for his life.

Your heart was in your mouth as you saw the Red Bull closing in on your fiancée. Lewis's medium compound tyres were nearly seven laps older than those on Perez and with the new circuit layout the odds did not look good in his favour. 

They were swapping positions and Lewis's chances of clinching his eighth championship were falling away as the Red Bull began pulling away. You could hear Lewis on the radio, "Guys! Give me more power! I need more power!" Your heart was breaking Perez having opened a three second gap in the space of a straight and two corners. You could here Bono muttering to the others, "Alright Lewis. We're on it, change your wheel to Red-4." You heard Lewis confirm the message seeing his lap time start to improve and close the gap on Perez

There were five laps left, he could do it, he could do it. All of a sudden there was commotion from the Red Bull garage and pit wall as Perez slowed, what had happened? Lewis breezed past with the new power. The stream of the race was being commentated and Perez had an engine problem, the panic in his and his race engineers  was clear as your man got past. The commotion had settled as Lewis brought a steady five second gap to Perez in third. 

Something was being spoken over the Red Bull radio comms but you weren't listening as Lewis went for the fastest lap point needed to win the championship. Suddenly, out of nowhere Perez had  a burst of power his engine getting fixed for the remainder of the race, the time gap was getting smaller and smaller each corner even if Lewis was setting personal best sectors, his tyres were very nearly dead he couldn't go quicker and soon his engine would have to be turned back down especially if he wanted to finish the race. There was no worry about Norris in fourth who was twenty five seconds back, Perez had caught up to the 44 Mercedes who was defending as hard as if its life was on the line, Perez opened the DRS and glided on past pulling in front before the braking point of the next corner had even arrived.   

"Lewis, Lewis. It's over mate. We're sorry but you've got to turn the engine down."  Bono spoke the sadness evident in his voice. 

"No! No I can do this man! Just let me race!" 

"Lewis they're too fast. They're too fast for us. We've got to finish the race, we'll still get the constructors as long as you finish the race Valtteri's in fifth. Turn down your engine"

There was complete silence over the radio as you knew that he was thinking whether he should listen or not. "Lewis! Turn down your engine, you're not going to make it if you continue on like this!" You stood up in worry before sitting back down again as you saw the engine modes change and the cars power output lessen. 

Lewis's side of the garage was silent as the race ended, Max crossing the line claiming his first ever Driver's World Title. Even if the team had won the constructors by two points they were all disappointed their lead driver loosing out on his eighth title and the other side was losing their driver for next season. 

You and the team all rushed down to Parc Ferme ignoring the celebrations of Max and his team. Your eyes were focused on the black Mercedes parked in front of the number three board. You watched as he climbed out of the car, putting the headrest and wheel back in before walking over to a very happy Max and congratulating him keeping his helmet on the entire time. He then came towards his team and pulled them into a hug before he went to get weighed by the FIA and cool down before the interviews and the podium ceremony. 

You watched him lift up the third place trophy on the podium a smile still on his face convincing everyone that he was fine with the way things had gone; but you knew better you saw how the smile didn't highlight the glint in his eyes or the way that his left cheek didn't dimple slightly, you knew that he wasn't as happy as he seemed and you wanted to make sure that he was OK but there was nothing that you could do yet. He needed to shower and change, then he had interviews and debriefs he wouldn't be free for hours. 

 You chanced a glance at Angela, Lewis's trainer and best friend, she met your gaze and you instantly knew that she to had noticed the subtle changes in your fiancée's behaviour. She left then squeezing your arm slightly as she passed to go help Lewis and prepare him for the media who you both knew were going to be at him like hounds.

You let out a sigh walking back to the Mercedes hospitality with the remaining team members. Lewis and Angela would be in his driver room so you went to his motorhome where he would return before you both went back to the hotel room that you shared.

You fell down onto the soft sofa that was there, you picked up your phone going through your messages, some from your family before the race and many from others asking how Lewis was doing after the harsh loss that he had suffered. You answered as politely, "He's doing OK, I'll look after him" being sent to everyone. You dropped you phone as the door opened hoping that it was Lewis but you were disappointed as stood at the doorway the door now closed was Angela. You watched as she shook her head letting out a sigh.

You got up walking the few steps until you were close enough and pulled her into a hug, "He's not OK" She whispered your head on your shoulder, you pulled away, "I know he isn't but he'll be OK you and I will make sure of it." She nodded settling down on the couch as you made two cups of coffee yours and Lewis's absolute favourite there was always a constant supply of the brand and a secret stash of hot chocolate in case either of you needed a mood boost, Lewis loved a hot chocolate and you knew that later that would be what he was craving.

You walked over sitting down opposite Angela handing her a cup you both chatted about the season as you past the time till Lewis arrived. Angela got up after half an hour looking at her phone, "I better go" She said looking at the door, "Lewis will be here soon, I don't think he'd want to see me." You nodded slightly sighing, "Keep me updated Y/N, please?" You looked up at her words, she shrugged on her coat sending a small smile, "I will. I promise, give us time alright?" She left leaving you alone waiting for your fiancée to return. 

It felt like hours when in reality it was mere minutes until the door to the motorhome opened and Lewis's lean and tired body entered. His head was down the braids and mask hiding the expression that was on his face, you stood up waiting for him but he just stood in front of the now closed door not moving.

 You approached him gently, you reached up undoing his Mercedes coat putting it on the hook to the right of his head revealing a plain white t shirt, you then took of the mask he was wearing hanging that up with the coat. You smiled softly up at him, his eyes seemed dull no happiness was to be found. You run your hand through his hair tugging him down a bit pressing a soft kiss to his lips before leading him to the bed pushing him down, "Take your shoes off and change into something comfy, I'm going to make us some hot chocolate and I'll put some vegan whipped cream and marshmallows on top. When I get back it's up to you. We do what you want"

You left the small room making the two mugs of hot chocolate as quickly as you could worried about leaving your man alone for too long when he was in this state. You took the two mugs and also a bar of his favourite vegan chocolate from a shop in London making your way into the room where he had done as you had said and was now wearing a soft black jumper and some grey sweatpants laying under the covers his face hidden in your pillow. 

You sat down after putting the things that you had on the bedside table and run your hand over his head pressing softly down on his neck massaging out the knots that had formed after the race. You heard him let out a sigh some tension leaving his shoulders. He lifted his head to meet your eyes, "I'm sorry darling" He murmured disappointment evident in his voice. You shook your head a sad smile on your face, you leant down rubbing your nose against his pressing a soft kiss to his lips, "No, don't apologise baby, you did everything you could and you did it all perfectly. You've done everything perfectly the entire season." You saw his eyes go glassy with tears and some escape down his cheek. You wiped them off pulling him up to sit against the headboard before sitting on his thighs straddling his waist.

"You are my seven time world champion. And no matter what happened this season, you're my champion." You smiled resting your forehead against his as his shoulders dropped and a small smile was on his face as he held your hips pressing your lips together lovingly.