The Fight • Max Verstappen•

•nine•

SCARLET

"So you're really living with George?" Max asked as we walked towards the media pit with our media executives entail behind us. There was an unsettling tone with Max's question, it was laced with an ulterior motive. "I can't imagine that ending well." He smirked.

I knew that moving in with George was going to create a storyline in the world of F1 and in particular F1 gossip, but really it was a sensible choice. We had been friends for years and in all honesty, even though Lewis insisted, I didn't think that buying or renting a place in Monaco was sensible considering that I would be travelling for 75% of the year.

We had found a really nice three bed apartment which had a lovely open plan interior, and a wonderful balcony which was going to be perfect for hosting. I had loved staying with Lewis but he was at a different point in his career plus rumours were already beginning to circulate about us and how exactly I got my seat.

"Why are you jealous?" I retorted as we stood outside the conference room ready to be invited into the large media facing room.

He shrugged his shoulder, "Why would I be jealous?" Max asked with spite as he leaned up against the white walls. His red bull polo shirt clung to his body and he placed his hands in his pockets.

I took a step forward so that there were mere inches between our bodies. I could feel his breath on my cheeks, and I could see his chest starting to pump just a little faster. Gently I ran my fingers up his bare arms, "Well for starters, I walk around the apartment in my underwear," I purred with a wink.

His eyes darted open, a subtle lick of his bottom lip but before Max even had time to reply we were invited in for the 2022 Australian Grand Prix Press Conference. We were joined by Lando Norris and Esteban Ocon who were already sat down in front of the media. This was the first drivers press conference I had attended and I couldn't work out if I was nervous or excited. Lewis had told me to just take everything in my stride, but to watch my tone as the media would pick up and run with anything just slightly off beat.

On my left was Lando who leaned over, "Good-Luck." He commented before Max took his seat on my right.

The communications director for Mercedes, Hollie Newell had already gone through topics that were likely to be brought up and how to handle these without giving too much away. I could see her flaming red hair standing at the back of the room next to the communications director for Red Bull.

I picked up the microphone headsets and adjusted it with ease just as the first questions was asked.

"Welcome to the 2022 Australian Grand Prix Drivers Press conference. We are joined by Lando Norris of McLaren, Scarlet Crusoe of Mercedes, Max Verstappen of Red Bull and Esteban Ocon of Alpine. The first question is from John Osbourne from the Australian Times"

The microphone was handed to a white haired gentleman who stood up. In his other hand was a phone that was most likely recording our answers. "Hello, my question is for Scarlet please," He stated. Now I was nervous, I felt Max kick me gently from under the table. "Scarlet, you have hit the ground running with your outstanding drive last weekend in Bahrain. How much pressure are you feeling to replicate that this weekend, especially given that Lewis Hamilton pushed for you to fill his vacant seat."

I took a moment, "I think there is always pressure to perform no matter how good or bad your previous race was...I wouldn't necessarily say there is more pressure on me given how I got my seat as I have been racing for over half of my life like the rest of the drivers." I narrated. I could see Hollie nodded in agreement. "I always spend time with my engineers to find out how I can improve as in my mind there is no such thing as a perfect race."