"What we have to lose"

11

Preparation with the boys was done and they both got ready. I walked to the hospitality, hoping to see Blair again. I walked in and saw her. "Hey Blair." I greeted her. "Oh hi Amilia it's good to see you." she replies. I ordered a coffee and sat down while talking to Blair. "Will you watch the race out of the garage?" she asks. I nod and smile. "Yes I'm so thankful that I get this opportunity." I told her about my dad and me and how happy he is about the pictures. "Why don't you invite your parents to a race weekend?" Blair asks. "I definitely will but I want to surprise them." I answered.
After chatting with her and drinking the coffee, I said goodbye to Blair and walked back to the garage.
I had the chance to wish both drivers good luck before they drove out of the garage and sat back on my chair, waiting for the race to start.
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With the headphones on my head I was staring at the monitors. Formation lap is done and everyone waits for the red lights. My hands started to shake because I was nervous. I prayed for both of the boys to come out on top. All of the red lights were on, my heart skipped a beat when they turned off. "It's lights out and away we go." I hear over my headphones. The start was a little chaotic. The two drivers in the front row had a good start but touched in the first corner. No one was dragged off the track. P3 and P4 didn't do too well, so Max saw his chance to overtake them. When he did, I sighed in relief. I saw Daniel on the other monitor, overtaking the one in front of him. Max made it to P3 at the start, Daniel P6. I kept on praying for them.
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The race was going on for 20 laps already, the first pit stops incoming. Daniel was first, the pit stop was quick and he only lost 2 positions. Shortly after him, Max came in for his pit stop. The mechanics did such a great job, Max came out in fifth. During the following laps I realized that it was a great move from the team to do the pit stops this early. Everyone else went in the pit lane later, giving both Daniel and Max the chance to gain back their positions. Max was now P3 again, Daniel made it to P4. »Keep pushing boys « I said to myself.
Both Max and Daniel fought their ways closer to the two drivers in front of them. Max had the chance to use his DRS, sadly he couldn't overtake the driver in front. Daniel was really close to Max, they attacked P1 and P2 as a team.
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I followed the race on the monitor when I saw a yellow flag. I tried to figure out what happened, hoping it's not Daniel or Max. They replayed the scene and the two drivers in the first two places collided, like they did at the beginning. Both of them got dragged off the track, both now out of the race. I saw that they were in lap 56/58. When I realized that the DNF of the front row drivers meant that now Max was P1 and Daniel P2, I cheered. The rest of the team was happy as well and we all celebrated together. The driver in P3 was too far away to catch either Max or Daniel. It was the last lap and the whole team cheered. Max and Daniel saw the checkered flag, putting their fists up in the air.
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The boys parked their cars and we were all waiting for them already. The fans were cheering as well when the drivers got out of their cars. Many photographers surrounded them and they walked to the cool down area.
After putting away their helmets they ran towards us, everyone cheered and clapped. Max came to me and hugged me tightly. "Congratulations Max I'm so proud of you." I said, kissing his cheek. He had a big smile on his face, kissing my cheek as well. Then I saw Daniel, with a big grin on his face coming towards me. I opened up my arms, he held his arms out as well and we hugged. "I told you you'll make it." I whispered in his ear. He pulled me tighter to him and answered. " Thank you for always believing in me.". When he said that I got a little emotional and pushed back my tears. Daniel had one tear running down his face that I caught with my thumb.
They both walked over to their interviews and then onto the podiums after celebrating a little with the team. The National anthem of Holland was played and everyone looked up to them. They got their trophies and the champagne. After spreading it all over the place, Daniel had his typical 'shoey'.
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