Russell's Cousin- Lando Norris story

Mehcico!!!!!

Just want to start by saying thank you so so much for 1k votes and over 100k reads on this book! This is something I never thought was achievable. Sorry for any slow updates the last few weeks but life has been hectic! I hope your all having a wonderful day and thank you for your continued support. I love to hear your feedback and reactions, it really helps me bounce ideas around. Now, onto the next chapter....

—
One week earlier
—

"So your first session will be next Thursday, it's all we have at the moment. You know how busy these things are" the nurse explained
"Oh ok. We wont be able to make it. You see we work travelling so could we do it online?" You asked
"Where are you off for the time zone?"
"Mexico" lando added
"Oh. That's an odd one what do you do." She laughed "so call it 10am for you?"
"We work in F1. Yeah that will have to do. I'll just check through schedule later and confirm with you"

—
After your incident you were able to both speak to specialists. Lando managed to get in contact with a psychologist who specialises in elite performance sport and the pressures he faces while you saw someone from the mental health department about your anxiety, worries, depression and stress. They suggested stepping back from work but you knew it wasn't possible because lando would then suffer. You were the one to calm him down no matter how much of a child he was being.

You both spoke to Andreas and Zak and you told Charlotte about things so she could watch lando too. It was true, it wasn't a perfect life working in F1. Yes it had its highs but when it was low it really hit rock bottom with you.

It would of been not too bad if lando didn't need to go on This Morning a few days after your incident and talk about mental health and how it was so important. You were able to come to the studio with him and he did so so well. It made articles in all areas how 'F1 driver tells the truth'
'Rising star Lando Norris comes out' (which obviously attracted a lot of readers)
'Norris on mental health in F1'

Several charities also reached out thanking him for his bravery to tell them the facts of social media and how it can really get you down even though you appear to be fine. It was like the start of the year all over again.

Things were looking stable in Mexico with a solid middle field position and the crowds there were amazing. The Thursday was full of media activities that needed to be done before the press conference and F1 show so you had your work cut out chasing people around for appointments and that.

"Hiya" lando said as he came into his driver room where you were making up protein powder measurements for the weekend.
"Hey, all go good?" You asked as he came back from taco making with Daniel
"Yeah yeah, everyone is going for dinner tonight if we wanted to go?"
"Who's everyone?" You asked concentrating on measurement lines
"George, Mick, Nikita, Charles and Lance. I know it's a mix but it should be good"
"Yeah sure I'm up for it. You?"
"Yeah fine by me... um"
"You ok Lan?" You asked hearing the lost tone in his voice
"Yeah I'm just tired. Been a long flight I think" he weakly smiled
"Oh ok, just as long as your ok" you smiled as you put the small containers on his shelf.
"How's your leg healing up?" He asked
"Good, yeah it's going good. Feeing better." You knew he was tiptoeing around and you couldn't work it out
"What's going on? Your not being you" you said wanting an explanation
"Im fine. Im just yep."
"You know you can talk to me. We went through it this morning with the counsellor. Lando you need to talk so I can help." He said soothingly
"Im fine."
"Suit yourself. I can only be there for you"
"And I appreciate that." Lando said
"Well start appreciating me then" you said grabbing your sunglasses and hat
"Where are you off?" Lando asked
"For a walk, I need some space" you said before swiftly making your way out of the McLaren building leaving lando sat there.

You made your way down the paddock and down to the Haas Garage to go and find mick, he was your sane, your calmness.

"Mick in?" You asked the woman at the bar?
"Urm I saw him this morning. I think he's in the garage."
"Oh"
"I can send someone through to get him if you want?"
"Please. I need to speak to him if he's free"

She was back in five minutes with the blonde following behind her,
"Anna, you ok?" Mick asked concerned to see you there
"I'm fine, just needed some space and a friend" you smiled
"Well here I am" he laughed
"Can we walk?"
"Yeah, lap of the track? We can take the bikes for a change? I can explain all the corners?" He said enthusiastically
"Oo that would be fun! Your mums here this weekend right?" You asked as you followed along
"Yeah hopefully should be a good one. I know she's been excited to come to a race for a few months"

You both made your way through the garage with muck holding his hands over your eyes as you walked through "promise she isn't looking!" He said to the mechanics
"Not like there is anything for her to take back" one of them commented getting a giggle from everyone.

As you distanced from the garage on the bicycles you turned to look over your shoulder at mick, he was riding along looking at you before quickly turning away
"Oi you better not have been just staring at me" you laughed
"No no, the sun was just bright that's all" he giggled "it a lovely day today, I'm so grateful"
"I swear your the most kindhearted human on this world mick" you said as you dropped back to ride next to him
"I just like seeing other people so happy, it makes me happy"

It was nice to just hear the sounds of the track and city as you cycled along, letting go of any stresses or thoughts.
"How's lando?" Mick asked
"What? Oh" you said coming back to reality. "He's fine. I think. I don't know."
"Why is he distancing?" He asked
"He just seems different. Like he's not fully focused on racing or the team or us anymore. I just don't get it"
"I get what you mean, it must be tough being in one of the more spotlighted teams. The pressure I have is enough but he must really feel it"
"Yeah I get that and I've told him that if the pressure is too much he needs to say. He just won't. Everything I try to do for him lately is wrong. The other week at home we even had a full blown argument because he didn't want mushrooms in his lasagne and 'I didn't tell him'" you said in quotation marks with your hands.
"He will come around. He needs a break" mick said
"I need a break more like" you laughed
"I was going to ask anyway if you  wanted to come back to Germany with me the first week of the Christmas break to spend some time with my family if that's ok? They haven't seen you in ages" he offered
"Aw mick, that would be so lovely. As long as it's ok with you. Everyone will understand and by that I mean lando?" You asked
"If he doesn't then he needs to realise the bigger picture" he said trying to reassure you.

You spent the rest of the ride talking about the weekend and all the celebrations if Checo won or even got a podium finish! It would be quite a scene and you were sure his family would be there to support him as his dad was a big supporter to him.