Life in the Fastlane (Sebastian Vettel)

Epilogue

A/N. Well this is it. The end is here. Thank you to everyone who's liked and commented. I appreciate every single one of you. I hope you've all enjoyed it. I'm going to take a short break now before continuing with All of Me. I may drop a One Shot here and there though. Take care everyone. So over to Mollie and Seb for the final time. ❤️

December 2047

The fireworks exploded into the Abu Dhabi night sky. The new world champion crossed the line, winner of the race as well as the championship. The record set by Sebastian Vettel 37 years earlier had finally been broken. Formula 1 had its new youngest ever champion.

The blue and yellow car pulled up in front of the number 1 board. The driver climbed out and stood on the top the car, his hands held high in the air.

The red Ferrari of triple world champion Robin Raikkonen pulled up besides him. The Finn jumped out and was waiting with open arms to embrace the new champion.

"Well done Roman!!! Well deserved , but I'll be after you next season!"

Roman pulled his HANS and helmet off, handing it to his trainer, Parker. He pulled his balaclava off. The sweat was dripping down his forehead.

"Yes!!!" he screamed. His dream had become a reality. He was world champion at the tender age of 22.

He ran at his team and launched into their arms.  A chant went up. "Roman! TBR! Roman! TBR!" He worked his way along the line until he reached the end. Then he took his helmet and went to get weighed. He was shaking as he made his way to the cooldown room.

He ran his hand through his blonde hair and pulled the winner's cap onto his head. He shook hands with the French driver, Anthoine Dupont,  who had finished in third place.

Robin Raikkonen finally arrived and they headed out onto the podium.

He stood on the top step of the podium, leaping into the air with pure delight.

He looked out at the crowd below. They were all cheering for him.

He took his cap off as the German national anthem played out over Yas Marina.

Tears pooled in his blue eyes. They began falling as the British national anthem played for TBR.

He had never been so proud to hear both the anthems. After all, they were both part of who he was.

***

Inside the commentary box the two overemotional
men looked at each other.

"It's like being transported back in time seeing Roman up there," said Daniel Ricciardo into the microphone. "It's just like watching Seb all over again. The kid looks just like him. And now he's gone and broken his father's record."

"He does look remarkably like Seb. For those of you who have lived under a rock for the last God knows how many years, Roman Vettel is the son of seven time world champion Sebastian Vettel and 2 time race winner, two time Indy 500 winner and the best female driver ever to turn a wheel, Mollie Vettel, formerly known as Rashford," added his commentator, Lando Norris. 

"And he's stood up there next to Kimi's kid Robin, and we all know what good friends Seb and Kimi were....still are in fact.  There's a story I could tell you about Seb,Kimi and a bottle of vodka from Miami earlier this year but I won't as there's kids watching."

"Oh look, there's Seb and Mollie.  They look so proud."

"It's been a fantastic year for the Vettel family. First off their daughter Ella won the Formula 3 championship, and now Roman has become the youngest champion in Formula 1 history."

"It's uncanny. It's like watching Seb and Mollie all over again.  Roman is the image of Seb and Ella looks just like Mollie. Oh look,  is that a tear I see in your eye Ricciardo?" 

"No don't be stupid Norris."

"It is,  it is. You're crying!"  Lando started howling with laughter. 

"I am not crying you idiot.  Anyway, as I was saying.  Ella and Roman Vettel.  I can see a very bright future in store for these kids.  Look, you're crying.  Haha Lando is crying."

"No I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

"Idiot!"

                                   ***

Seb wrapped his arm around Mollie's shoulder.  They both watched on as their son held his trophy aloft.  The pride they felt was off the scale. 

Go Roman!" nineteen year old Ella shouted by their side. 

Seb turned and gazed at the woman he still loved more than anything.   The years may have flown by but she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. 

She never did race in Formula 1 again but Mollie's story hadn't been over.  She'd gone to Indy Car when Ella had turned two and finished a highly credible third in the championship in her first season. 

Another two third places had followed and a fourth, and two victory's in the Indy 500.  The second one had been particularly sweet, beating her old teammate Scott McDevitt to the victory. 

Seb had dedicated his life to his children and his wife.  They were his world.  He'd never forgotten his life and his achievements in Formula 1 but this... his family....was his greatest achievement and the thing he was most proud of. 

"I love you Mollie," he said, gazing into her green eyes. 

She looked into his blue ones.

"I love you too Seb."

Roman gazed down, spotting his parents in each other's arms.  He smiled. He'd been so lucky. They were the best parents he could have ever hoped for. 

They'd supported him and Ella every step of the way throughout their junior careers.  And now here they were. Formula 3 and Formula 1 champions. 

He watched as his father tenderly kissed his mother.  Even after 23 years of marriage they were still as deeply in love as ever.  Roman knew that if he found someone who loved him just half as much as his father and mother loved each other then he'd be a very lucky man indeed. 

"He'd better enjoy it while he can!" Ella declared. 

"Ella, be nice," Mollie said. 

"Just saying.  Because in a few years I'll be coming for him. I'm going to be the first female Formula 1 champion."

Seb laughed.  He had no doubt in his mind that she was right.  She was so much like her mother.  In looks as well as in personality. 

He squeezed Mollie's hand. 

"Come on baby, let's go find our boy."