40. Season's End

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It was good to get back to work. The funeral had been very difficult to get through. Seb had been true to his word and had flown straight back from Saudi to be at Lottie's side as her dad was laid to rest.

She was still heartbroken but with Seb's support she was able to grieve properly and move on with her life. She would always miss her dad but she knew he would want her to live and not wallow in her grief.

She had flown out to Abu Dhabi with Seb and Lance along with a few of the other drivers on a private jet. After checking into their suite Seb had promptly fallen asleep and was now snoring his head off. Lottie laughed as another piglike grunt came from her man. She sat scrolling through her phone, having a Snapchat conversation with Joel who was still stuck back home in the UK.

Joel Barnes
I wanna be there 😭  Need some sun. All it does here is bloody rain.

Lottie Lawson
You'll have to have a holiday in the New Year.

Joel Barnes
Now that's an idea. Will have to speak to Sophie about it.  What about you and Seb? Wanna come?

Lottie Lawson
I'd have to speak with him about it. He's asleep at the moment. But in theory yeah. Sounds good.

Joel Barnes
See who else wants to come. Be epic

Lottie Lawson
What about Laura and Abby?

Joel Barnes
Laura maybe. She could bring her new beau

Lottie Lawson
Can't believe she is dating Antti. Never saw that one coming.

Joel Barnes
No one did!

Lottie Lawson
Let me know when you've asked Soph. I'll speak with Seb

Joel Barnes
Ok girl,  got to go. Got physio. Catch you later 👋

Lottie Lawson
👋 Cya

Lottie decided to go and sit out on the balcony whilst waiting for Seb to wake. She didn't mean to fall asleep but next thing she knew Seb was gently shaking her awake. Good job the balcony had been in the shade!

"Liebling, I'm going to order some dinner from room service. Are you hungry?" She nodded and went inside to choose what she wanted. She told him about her conversation with Joel earlier and asked what he thought about it.

"Yeah, it sounds like fun liebling. We'll have to talk about it after the  race."  They just chilled for the rest of the evening, having an early night before the onslaught of media day.

***

Seb had been having a good race weekend until Q3. He'd been in the top five for all the practice sessions and for the first two qualifying sessions. It all went wrong in Q3.

He was on his out lap when Ocon had tried to overtake him. Ocon had totally misjudged it and clipped Seb, spinning him round and into the barrier.  The back of the car had been totally destroyed. The team were going to have a very late night!

Ocon had been given a grid penalty and points on his super license but that didn't help him. He'd been taken to the medical centre as a precaution but was only winded. Lottie had thrown her arms around him when he returned. He'd winced, feeling bruised from his seat belts.

"I'm sorry baby," she said, pulling back.

"It's OK,"he replied, kissing her head. Quite frankly, he'd needed the hug, pain or not.  He'd be glad when tomorrow was over and he and Lottie could go back to Switzerland together. It had been a very hard season mentally and he was looking forward to a break.  One more race.  The countdown was on. 

***

The mechanics had worked miracles. Honey Ryder was all ready to go, ready for her final fling.  Seb lined up ninth on the grid for the final race of the season. He hadn't set a time in Q3 but had moved up a place due to Ocon's grid penalty.

He got a flyer of a start overtaking Lance and the two Ferraris.  He spent the first stint behind Norris.  He just couldnt get close enough to pass him.  The team brought him in a couple of laps earlier than they'd planned in an attempt to get past the McLaren.  The undercut worked, thanks to McLaren bodging Norris' pitstop.  Seb was now fifth. 

He moved up to fourth when Perez's picked up a puncture.  The last laps were spent closing on Ricciardo in third.

"Ricciardo has a problem," came Cal's voice over the team radio.  "Keep pushing, your tyres look good."  Seb was soon right up on Ricciardo's gear box. He blasted past him in the next DRS zone.  "Good work Seb." 

Up front a great battle was going on between Hamilton and Verstappen. Whichever of them won the race would win the World Championship.  Either would be a worthy winner, thought Seb.  But whoever won better be prepared to lose their crown next year.  Seb was determined that he was going to be in the fight in 2022. 

"Who's P1 Cal?"

"Verstappen is P1, Hamilton P2, 0.7 seconds in it."  Close one!  Last lap.  Just keep it on the road Seb, he said to himself.  It's nearly over.  He eased off a bit as had a four second lead over Ricciardo.  He saw the fireworks exploding into the night sky.

"Verstappen P1, Hamilton P2, Seb you are P3." 

Lewis had been dethroned.  There was a new world champion in town.  Enjoy it Max, thought Seb.  I'm coming for you next season.  For the first time in a long time Seb felt that spark.  He was ready to win his championship back.

***

Seb headed back to his changing room after all the interviews were done.  That was it.  It was all done.  He was looking forward to the break. A week at home in Switzerland before he and Lottie were heading to Heppenheim for Christmas with his family.  He was looking forward to finally introducing her to his parents. 

He was going to continue with his sessions with Dr Mattheus after the New Year.  He already felt so much better.  Opening up to Lottie had been the best thing he had ever done.  There was a knock on the door.  It opened and the woman he loved popped her head around.

"Hey hotshot, fancy some company?"

"Always my love."  She came in and shut the door behind her.  She put her arms around his neck and kissed him firmly on the mouth. 

"Great drive baby."

"Thank you.  Lottie, I felt something out there on the track.  I felt a spark.  I can feel the old me breaking through.  Next season, I have faith.  I truly believe, if the car is right, that I can be champion again."

"That's fantastic Seb!"

"It's because of you.  I love you.  I know I tell you all the time but I can never say it enough.  Lottie Lawson, I love you so much."

"I love you too, my champion.  Even it took me years to work it out."  He pulled her to him and they stood holding each other, lost in the moment, never wanting to let go.

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