Eyes on the prize- Sebastian Vettel

38. Rallying in Finland

'Fecking hell it's cold here' Joey groaned, as she walked off the plane. Seb chuckled behind her. They had just arrived in Finland where Joey and Kimi had entered a rallying competition on new year's eve. The couple would be spending new year's there with the Raikkonens too and Seb was happy to be able to spend some time with his former teammate before he moved on to his new team.

'What did you expect? It's Finland and it's winter' Seb teased. 'And I told you you needed to pack your winter stuff'

'You know my winter stuff is just a thicker pair of sneakers' she shrugged. 'How hard is it to walk on snow with vans?'

'Very hard' Seb laughed.

Joey and Seb picked up their suitcases and walked out of the airport to collect their rental car.

Joey walked slowly over the snow covered car park, trying not to slip.

'I have bought you a pair of boots, by the way, they're in my suitcase'

'And you tell me now?!'She shrieked, clinging onto his arm as she slipped on a small patch of ice.

'And miss the penguin walk?' He laughed. 'Never'

'Glad you're enjoying yourself, Vettel'

~•~•

'How have you been finding Finland?" Kimi asked Joey, as they walked into the rallying event area.

'Icy' she replied.

'I can see you're adopting the Finnish style already' he laughed. 'Seb told me about your falls, did you get any better?'

'I don't like how he talks about me to you' she huffed. 'I think we should get started, shouldn't we?' She ignored his question completely. 'These amateurs won't know what hit them'

'Amateurs? Talk for yourself' Valtteri Bottas interjected.

'Hey, I'd like to remind you we're in some way teammates' she chuckled, giving him a hug and feeling him tense up at her touch. 'Jee, it's only a hug, Val. Why are you guys so... cold? I'll make sure to hug you both every single time I'll see you'

'Please don't' the Finns said at the same time.

'You absolute weirdos' she chuckled. 'Cmon OG iceman, we've got a trophy to win' she bid farewell to the Mercedes driver and linked arms with Kimi, walking towards their car.

With 4 main events to complete, Kimi and Joey had agreed to both be driving two each, the more treacherous and slippery ones being left to Kimi who, certainly, had more experience rallying on snow than Joey did.

It was time for the first race, which Joey was going to be at the steering wheel for, with Kimi as a co-driver. Before they sat in the car, Seb stood with the two making small talk. He didn't want to admit it but he was very worried about his girlfriend jumping in a rally car in such treacherous conditions.

He pulled his beanie down a little more, trying to hide the concern behind some more small talk about the track and the car itself.

'I'll keep her safe, don't worry' Kimi told him, with a cheeky smile. 'I can see you're shitting your pants' he explained, whilst they both looked at Joey playing around with Valtteri who had just finished his run.

'I am not worried' Seb snapped, his tone too unconvincing for his liking.

'She's a good driver, we'll be OK. You need to worry when I'm at the wheel, you should know that' Kimi continued.

'I just... she's usually in the safety car...' Seb mumbled.

'Don't let her hear you or she'll leave you.' Kimi said, with a giggle. 'She wouldn't be wrong doing that, honestly'