Russell's Cousin- Lando Norris story

Again? Now? Oh we are waiting?

The tension was high... it was full guns blazing.... In the 6th game of Rummy. You were already half an hour into the delay due to the rain and already starting to lose the will to live.

"I'm up" Charlotte said as she counted her cards
"Ugh.." you said taking the gamble to pick up a new card "yep I'm well out"
"I don't think I can play another round" she sighed
"Me neither" you said putting your cards down before a few of the engineers asked to borrow them for a few round between themselves.

You had been brewing up for everyone and delivering coffee to the pit lane team, running any errands to catch up on things and even managed a phone call with George to get an update what was happening down there.

"You ok darling?" Lando asked as you came to stand next to him to have a chat for a bit. He was still in his race overalls, hoodie, rain jacket and hat but soaked in rain
"I'm already bored and I feel we will be here for a while still" you replied as he snaked his arm around your waist bringing you to his side as he kissed the top of your head.
"This rain isn't going to stop" lando said "there's no break and the time will end up running out"
"How long do you have?" Adam asked
"Three hours to get started" Will replied
"Coming from my side of things it's dangerous to leave you all waiting around, mentally you are all going to switch off. You can't keep going for that long without knowing for sure if your going to race. Daniel will burn himself out with Michael otherwise" you explained
"I'm trying to just stay awake" lando laughed gently
"Take a nap" Will replied
"Don't encourage him" you laughed
"I don't think they should race" Adam said
"Me neither, too much rain for sure" Will said agreeing it was too dangerous and it could be fatal after the risk lando took yesterday and ended up with a crash in no where near as much rain.

Lando hadn't slept much last night; firstly he was aching from the shunt yesterday, he was bruised and in pain down his ribs and left side. Secondly he was shaken up, he couldn't stop thinking about how it could of played out. Charles came over to the hotel after qualifying to check on lando and he broke down. It reminded him of when he lost Anthonie and he couldn't let someone go too soon. It was mentally draining for everyone but lando really had a reality wake up check on how precious life is and how quickly it can be taken.

—
2 hours later..
—
"1...2..3!" Daniel shouted as he started the Mexican wave across the grandstand from the gap in the fence. The crowd followed along for a few times while you sat at the pit wall for a bit while you switched with some of the crew so they could warm up. You videoed some of it and put it on your story and when they all saw your phone they were cheering.

As you turned around you saw Adam waving for your attention, lando was sound asleep leaning on adams shoulder as he sat just at the edge of the garage.

You were quick to grab a video from where you were before the sky tv crew quickly spotted a sleepy lando who was absolutely shattered. "Lando having his afternoon nap?" Will asked
"He has to or he will get grumpy" you joked

—
3 hours later
—
"They are running it?" Lando asked
"Just about five laps if they can under safety car conditions" Andreas explained.

The whole garage switched on as everyone rushed to arrange and organise their stations and jobs for the 'race' start. There would be no overtaking. No speed. Nothing.

George would get a podium.
What?

With no overtaking and George getting P2 would mean he would get a podium and get points if they were starting the race during to small break in the rain.

All you could hear was the cheers from down at William and the commentary "George Russell gets his first podium in F1!"

"Come on!" You said grabbing landos hand as everyone ran out the garage down to parc ferme. George got on with everyone and everyone got on with George so it was a full all teams in support bubble going down. You met with George's mum, and your auntie, Alison who had tears in her eyes finally seeing George get what he deserved even though it can be argued it wasn't much of a race.

"Congratulations!" You said hugging her
"Finally!!!" She laughed "even though your not with him at Williams you taught him so much Anna" she smiled
"Well then, I'll be taking 50% credit for this podium" you said jokingly as lando also congratulated her.

"Here he is!!!! Our boy Russell!" Lando shouted as George came rushing over to everyone
"Think it should be George the fucking legend now!" He said as he came over
"You deserved it. That lop yesterday. Amazing! We are so so proud of you darling" Alison said to her son
"I'm taking credit for part of this with my expert knowledge ahah! Much more of this next year??" You suggested and George just laughed.

It was so blatantly obvious that George had got his merc seat for next year. It couldn't be ignored in the paddock that the current gossip was your older cousins future in F1.
"Come on, just tell us" lando whined
"Nothing has been agreed" George said
"Bullshit" lando said sniffing the air as he mocked him. "I'll be putting a bet on that if you get a merc seat I'll be getting getting a blow-"
"Urm! Lan!" You said interrupting him as your family were unfortunately stood in conversation.
"Bet" lando replied, you just rolled your eyes like usual.

George had to go for a quick interview before the podium and trophy in which time you had got Carmen on FaceTime so she could watch it with you all.

The pride you felt as George stood on the second place podium was immense. Williams had this coming for a while and finally the deserved it. Getting back to where they should be and fighting at the top once again. You gave a smile and cheer as George's name was called and after the national anthems you were all once again drenched in champagne, not that you could be any more soaking from all the rain today.