False Confidence - Lando Norris

Chapter Five

After the first three races my emotions were all around the place. Claiming some points for the time in my first race felt phenomenal even if it was just the first step of the season. I thought it would mean that luck is on our side a little bit, and maybe I was worried for nothing in the end. Then came the second race where I didn't even get to finish the race, thanks to a mechanical issue. I knew it was most likely not something I caused, but at the same time I felt like I just wanted too much from the car and messed up the limits of what we can ask from it. We knew it had problems and sensitive areas and were warned not to push it that weekend, before they could fix them for the next race. The plan was completing the race so we could at least keep the car in one piece, but I couldn't even deliver that for the team. I felt like a complete disaster, and even after completing the Hungarian GP I didn't feel the same as before the start of the season. I didn't feel like there was a place here for me, and the interviewers made sure that I knew they agreed with me on that.

„ Why are you still here? " Dan startled me as I heard his voice coming from right next to me. I flinched in my seat, whipping my head in his way to look at him. A sigh left my body at registering his face in my mind, so I could be sure it was not someone else.

„ I wanted to help with the packing. " I nodded towards the big containers that were already full and closed, waiting for the transporting truck that will take them to the next race. It was always funny to me how quick it was to pack up a whole garage and take it to another country. It was strange but fascinating at the same time.

„ I know that. But they have been ready for the past hour and half at least. " He sat down next to me, resting his arms on the railing I was leaning on too. „ Who are you hiding from? " He bumped our shoulders together, making me smile before it vanished again. For a second I thought about lying, but I realised he would know it before I even got a word out.

„ Myself, Cyryl, the fans. " I shrugged a little, naming just the few who I didn't really want to be next to in this exact moment. I could have probably added a few more to the list, but it was already enough. He got what I meant, it was visible in the smile he gave me.

„ If that helps, Cyryl was over the moon that you completed a race. As for the fans, they seemed happy tweeting about it too. That's two ticked off your list. " He sounded like he just solved life's biggest question and created world peace.

„ That isn't really something we should celebrate though. You mostly wanna at least get points. Which I failed to do so. Again. " I sighed, leaning my head on my arms that were crossed on the metal railing.

„ If everyone would be winning points, who would be the last one? " He chuckled, making me roll my eyes. „ Hey... you did good. It's just the start. You can still achieve so much, you still have the time to do so. " He added, clapping me on my back, although I knew it wasn't with the power he would use for all the other guys. It made me smile and hate him at the same time.

„ I hope so. But you're right, there is time still. " I let out a sigh, looking once again at my watch and deciding I should probably get back to the hotel. „ It's just all confusing. Going from such a high to the lowest possible. It's just running around in my mind that maybe I was just lucky in Austria, and it will never happen again. " I shook my head, lifting my head but I just rather looked at the empty garage than him.

„ That's the racing world. It will always be like that. " He shrugged, making me look at him when he poked my side with his elbow. „ I heard you like bets... What about we make one too? " He asked, confusion getting onto my face, although I didn't hate his idea. I was just curious what the bet would be about. I waited for him to continue and he delivered. „ If you get a podium during this season, you will have to get a tattoo. You can decide the place and design, but you're getting one. On the other hand, if I'm wrong you can choose one for me. " He described the rules, making me actually curious.