RACE - Lando Norris

51

“It’s cold,” Daniella shivered as she walked out with the rest of the drivers for the pre race parade.

All the drivers got on the bus, the open roof and the wind was making Daniella feel even more cold.

“You are such a baby,” Max laughed as they walked over to the interviewer.

“I am not made of stone like you Max,” Daniella replied.

“Okay now you are just being mean.”

Both gave their interview pretty quickly while waving at the fans. The weather was getting worse, even Max started to shiver a little but of course he is not going to admit it to Daniella.

As soon as the interview was done Daniella quickly made her way to the rest of the drivers.

“You stand here,” she pulled Lando to her side, who obliged without any questions.

“And you stand here,” she pulled Mick as well. “And you…and you.” She surrounded herself with Lando, Mick, Daniel, and Esteban to protect herself from the cold wind.

“Perfect,” Daniella gave a thumbs up as she stopped shivering.

“I want to ask what is going on here, but I don’t think I would get a reasonable answer,” Sebastian said as he looked at the four drivers surrounding Daniella.

“Its cold,” Daniella replied. “And these are my knights in shining armours protecting me from the wind.”

Lando proudly smiled as he threw his are around her shoulder.

“I will only accept money as payment for my service,” Esteban joked.

“I am just happy to help,” Mick said.

“Aww you all are so cute,” Daniel loudly expressed making everyone turn heads.

“I am just going to walk away,” Sebastian went to join his teammate.

“Better now?” Lando asked as he rubbed his hand on her arm, trying to make her feel better.

“Much better,” She smiled.

From the other side of the bus Pierre looked at the group, feeling left out and jealous.

“Screw this,” Yuki cursed. “Its too cold, I am joining them.” He left Pierre alone to join Daniella and her group.

***

With only a couple of laps to go Daniella is confident that she going to win the race.

Valtteri has been trying his best to close the gap but the RedBull driver has been flying the entire race. And with Max close behind him he couldn’t do much.

“This is the final lap Dani.”

“Copy.”

One of the Haas was in front of her, clearly one lap behind, but is unwilling to let her pass through.

“Is that Mick or Mazepin?” Daniella asked as she is getting frustrated and Valtteri is closing in.

“That is not Mick,” Nate replied.

“Perfect,” Daniella smiled under her helmet as she started driving more aggressively, trying to overtake the Haas.

The Haas driver was cursing through the radio, expressing how Daniella is driving aggressively and its not racing if he give her space to drive ahead.

“What the hell is his problem?” Daniella got even more frustrated and is starting to get angry too.

She finally managed to overtake the Haas and the checkered flag was not far away.

Everyone in the garage already started cheering and hugging each other.

Daniella smiled brightly as she crossed the flag. Not only she won the race, she is again leading the championship now.

“Well done Dani, it was a mega drive,” Christian proudly said. Once again it’s a double podium for red bull.

“Thanks,” she laughed. “The car was amazing today.”

***

“I don’t like your teammate,” Daniella said as Mick joined her.

“Yeah..you are not the only one,” Mick replied. “You are going back to your hotel now?”

“Umm yeah,” she nodded. “Just waiting for Lando…we are going back together.”

“Okay then,” Mick hugged Daniella before leaving her near the McLaren hospitality. “See you in Austin.”

“See ya,” She waved before walking in.

Lando was already on his way out, folled by Jon.

“Ready?” Daniella asked.

“Yep,” he smiled. They said their goodbyes to everyone around before making their way to the car.

“Umm..I don’t wanna third wheel,” Jon said as Lando unlocked the car. “I will head back with Charlotte or Daniel and Michael…you two go ahead?”

“Are you sure?” Daniella asked, feeling a little bad.

“Yeah..I don’t wanna bother you two.”

“You are no bother at all,” Daniella replied as she opened the door for Jon.

“Get in man,” Lando said. “Me and Ellie are too tired to even hold hands now,” he opened the door and sat in the driver’s seat.

Jon looked at Daniella who gave him a reassuring smile.

“Alright then,” he got in the car and Daniella closed the door.

She quickly went and sat in the passenger’s seat.

“One kiss and I am throwing myself out of the car,” Jon warned the couple.

“Oh really?” Lando laughed and jokingly leaned towards Daniella.

“Behave,” Daniella sternly said as she pushed him away.

“Yes ma’am,” Lando winked before starting the car.

**********

A/N: Thoughts on Daniella's interaction with other drivers?

She is once again leading. Do you think she will be able to win the championship?