Life in the Fastlane (Sebastian Vettel)

4. Kicking It Off Down Under

"For God's sake Mollie, will you settle down and at least try to get some sleep?" Seb complained, as she turned over in bed for what seemed like the hundredth time in the last twenty minutes.

"I can't help it. I'm so nervous. What if I crash? What if I make a complete and utter fool out of myself? What if Matthew Thorne realises he made a big mistake signing me?"

"What if you're amazing and everyone praises you? And Mols, you've done two FP1 sessions before."

"Seb, you heard Daniel Hunter at the press conference yesterday, and you heard Paul di Resta Can a woman cut it at these high levels? And I know I've driven FP1 before. But this is different. It's my car. My team."

"Di Resta is shitty about everyone. Even me.  Especially me sometimes. Hunter, well you two have a history.  Pay no attention to them. You're going to be fine.  Just try to sleep.  I'm tired Mols.  I should have gone back to my room," he laughed, wearily.

"Babes, I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to keep you awake," she said, feeling guilty. 

"Come here," he murmured, holding his arms open.  She snuggled up to him.  "Relax beautiful."

Mollie tried her best and eventually she did fall asleep.

When she woke up Seb was getting dressed, ready to sneak back to his room. He leant down and kissed her.

"I'll see you on track gorgeous. Try not to show me up. I can't be beaten by a rookie."

"Oh I'm gunning for you Vettel," she murmured against his lips.

He grabbed his hoodie and headed out of the door.

Left to her own thoughts Mollie started freaking out again. Formula 1!

She looked at her phone and found several texts waiting for her.

Dad: Good luck sweetheart. This is the day you've been waiting for all your life. I believe in you. We'll be watching every second of it. Love you Mollie Moo xx

Mum: oh my darling girl. I'm so proud of you. Go get them darling. X

Jude: yay Mols, go kick their arses. Xx

Sophia: up ready and waiting to cheer you on. Do it for us girls!

Cassie: wish I was there with you. Proud of you Mollie xx good luck xx

Franklin Brooke: I knew you were a star the moment I saw you drive. Now is your time to prove I was right. Good luck Mollie. Enjoy every moment. You deserve it.

Mollie blinked back the tears. This really was it. She was a Formula 1 driver. And it was time to get up or she would be late!

***

Mollie's nerves soon settled once she was in the car.  She switched off that part of her and concentrated fully on the job she was there to do. 

Although you never really could tell for sure in practice, early signs were pointing to Aston Martin and Mercedes being the ones to beat here in Australia.  McLaren seemed to have taken a step back, much to the disappointment of the Australian fans gathered there to support Daniel Ricciardo. 

Another surprise was the poor form of Red Bull.  Their decline had begun last season and appeared to be continuing.  Ferrari were hovering around in the top ten,  but not looking great either. 

Scott and Mollie were still getting to grips with the car and learning a new track but were both pleased with how it was going.  Scott finished FP1 in tenth and Mollie in twelfth.

FP2 was better.  Now they had got to grips with the track and felt a little more comfortable in the car, they both progressed into the top ten.  Scott in eighth and Mollie ninth. 

Arriving back in the hotel later that night Mollie had rung her dad straight away,  gushing about how amazing it had been.  He'd been over the moon for her and they had chatted for half an hour before he'd had to go. 

She decided to have dinner brought to her room as really couldn't be bothered to go out.  An early night was called for.  She and Seb had decided not to meet up now until after Sunday's race.  They both needed to be distraction free. 

They spent the evening texting each other though, and before long Mollie realised it was time to get some sleep.  She sent one last message telling Seb goodnight.  Then she snuggled down and soon drifted off. 

                                       ***

Mollie didn't know whether to be happy or to be disappointed.  She'd failed to make Q3 but she'd qualified in 11th place.  On the bright side she knew she'd have a free tyre choice for the race but she'd made a tiny mistake in Turn 3 which had lost her a tenth.  She could have been as high as ninth! 

In the end she decided to be happy about it.  It was her first Formula 1 quali. The media had all written her off.  Some of the drivers thought it would be easy to beat a woman.   Eleventh was not too shabby at all!

Scott had scraped into Q3 and was starting one place above her.  Seb, of course, was on pole. 

She was getting really excited for the race the following day.  It felt so long since she'd raced.  And it would be the first time she had raced against the opposite sex since her accident at Silverstone.   She was pumped up. She was ready. Mollie Rashford was going to show them what she could do.

                                        ***

Scott pulled Mollie into a hug, slapping her on the back.  She returned the hug. 

They had  both got into the points at their first attempt!  Scott had finished in seventh and Mollie in ninth.  

Mollie yelped as Scott lifted her off of her feet.  What a start for them.  Not a lot of points but as they were both rookies it was a great result. 

Seb watched Mollie across park ferme. He wanted nothing more than to congratulate her but he had interviews and the podium.  He'd won easily, leading from lights out to the chequered flag. 

He felt a spark of jealousy as he saw Scott McDevitt throw his arms around her and lift her up.  He'd better not get any ideas!   Mollie belonged to him!
He made up his mind that tonight he'd be showing her who she belonged to.  She was so getting it tonight. 

He forced himself to look away and headed over to be interviewed by Paul di Resta. Oh joy, what a barrel of laughs that would be.  Still, he was sure Paul would be hating it more than he would.  He'd actually have to be nice for once.  Seb grinned to himself.  He couldn't wait to get out of here and get Mollie to himself.

                                      ***

Mollie:  I'm sorry baby, will have to take a rain check tonight.  Matthew Thorne wants to take us out to dinner.  Then we are heading out on the town with the team.  Don't worry.  No alcohol involved for me.  It's gonna be a late one and got to leave early so best to leave it for tonight. Let me know if you're coming over at all during the next few weeks.  Will miss you. XX

Seb tossed his phone onto the empty side of the bed. He felt pissed off. She'd ditched him to celebrate with McDevitt.  Sure, he got she wanted to celebrate, and she deserved to, but surely she could have spared a little bit of time for him at the end of the evening?

Hopefully it was just a one off.  He was sure that everything would be back to normal soon.  Well as normal as they got nowadays.  Their relationship wasn't exactly what you could class as normal.

"Fuck," he cursed, punching his pillow.  He missed her and didn't know when he'd get the chance to see her again. Definitely not for at least a week.  He was filming some commercial in Italy for Peroni. 

He decided he'd definitely make it over to the UK the following week.  He couldn't go too long without having her.  He was an addict and she was his drug.