Russell's Cousin- Lando Norris story

Back in the Game

Testing had taken place and you were all ready to leave the Mercedes HQ for your first race in Bahrain. Mick had been in the uk a few weeks the past months and you had been working with George to get 100% ready for race season starting.

The whole mercades team was waiting around reception and the main corridor as Toto arrived downstairs indicated it was time to get going. Unlike McLaren who all just made their way to the airport, meracdes all traveled together from leaving the building to arriving at track.

"Anna did we get my helmet?" George asked panicking
"Yes of course I did, can you calm down please your going to be fine"
"I know but like it's my first proper race for mercades. I just want it to be perfect.."
"And if it's not perfect it doesn't matter. Your learning. It's ok" you smiled
"Okay.. no pressure. Has mick called you today?" He asked
"We spoke this morning, they were leaving earlier on so I said I'd let him know when we land and then we can go for dinner."
"It will be weird not being able to be together all season really"
"Well not really, like we will see each other all the time and everyone knows" you shrugged
"I know but it's not the same contact as .."
"I don't want to talk about him. All he did was bring me misery the last few months. I'm over it all"
"Sorry"
"No I shouldn't of been like that."
"Good job we didn't tell your mum and dad the full story" George laughed
"Oh god no. According to them I've been in Monaco with Charlotte and Charles. Lando cheated on me and they don't need to know about any counselling or that" you explained as you threw your bags into the coach
"As much as I live lando and have grown up with him I know mick is more your level. The maturity is there and he puts you first. It's not just the lando show"
"Couldn't agree more!"

The flight to Bahrain was pretty simple and quick, you managed to get a few hours of rest in between writing George's meal plan for race day.

By time you landed it was 7pm and you were being picked up at 7:30pm by mick as he was there a day earlier. Luckily you were all staying at the same hotel so you could see each other all day really. He had booked a table for you at a restaurant nearby as you didn't want to be swarmed by your teammates. You had been chatting to Charlotte about the whole situation as she got some backlash after Giada and Charles split as she was seen taking her best friends man. They all lived in the same block of apartments and had been childhood friends for ages. It was just right place right time. You didn't want yours and micks relationship to seem as though your just with him for his name and the fact it's one driver to the next when actually you had been friends for a long time and we're just really good for each other.

As soon as you came out of the gate and saw mick standing there you did a little happy run over to him with your arms wide open.
"You look good in black" he smiled as he kissed your forehead
"Thank you, aw I've missed you so so much"
"Me too, I promise I'll be in the uk more from now"
"Don't worry, you need to do your job too. Anyway, we are together now" you said taking his arm as you made your way outside to a matte black and red Ferrari.

The night lights of Bahrain was always a beautiful sight but the current temperatures were not so much. The heat had been increasing and increasing the past few days and no one knew how the tire compounds would be able to hold up, or how the new cars would function under it.

When you arrived at the hotel and went to park up front, you saw a group of people checking in, obviously F1, they wore dark grey and orange sets with the familiar trainers you had pushed to the back of your wardrobe. Mick took your hand as he saw the tension in your face in anticipation of not knowing if a certain person was there.
"It's ok Anna, I'm here" he said in his German accent as you took a deep breath.

The doormen opened the double doors and a few from the crowd turned their heads giving you a smile as you stood there in your mercades uniform. A figure in black jeans and a grey acid washed hoodie was stood at the front of the group with who you could see was Daniel.

"Mick.." you said under your breath
"Sh it's ok. You don't have to say anything" he said gripping your hand tighter.

"Oi Oi, I've missed you Anna!" Daniel said as he came over to you both
"Hiya" you smiled as you hugged him back
"How's it going over with merc?" He asked
"I love it. It's great to be back working with George too" you said pleasantly
"Aw brill, glad to see your being well looked after. Also congrats you too. I love it!" Daniel said with that big smile that you did actually miss seeing every day at the MTC
"Thank you mate" mick said
"Right, I'll catch up with you later and we can go grab a drink?" He said and he saw your facial expression change. "Don't worry just be us three. We don't need him here. His loss. His mistake. Between us, this girl is a pain in the neck, can't stand her at all" Daniel laughed
"Yeah we will see what the plans are and I'll give you a text" mick said as you just smiled back not knowing how to respond.

Mick took your bags as you made your way up to your room to get freshened up before dinner and on the way you walked past Yuki and Pierre taking a football down to play in the pitches at the back of the hotel with Charles and Carlos and then caught up with Angela who was meeting Lewis in the gym before dinner. The kid never stopped.

"I can meet you downstairs in a bit if you want?" Mick asked
"Sure, call it 8:30pm?" You suggested
"Sounds good to me, see you later darling" he said before giving you a swift kiss as he handed you your bags

—
You grabbed a shower before doing your hair and wearing a pair of light blue washed jeans with a dipped, long sleeve white bodysuit. You pulled on some black heels and grabbed your shoulder bag with all you bits before heading to the elevator.

Luckily you were on the top floor of the hotel as the teams had booked out floors with whoever finished highest in the constructors with the top rooms (that meant it was top floor for team mercades)

As you got in the lift and pressed ground floor, you went to take a quick photo in the mirror before it abruptly stopped a few floors down. The man who walked in had a hat on and didn't see you were there as he walked in, hands in pockets. As you clocked what he was wearing he had that familiar band on his wrist and the orange watch. Lando.

You felt your chest tighten as you recognised him and he looked at you, it was a look of disgust but you could see the pain behind his eyes. Do you say hey or? Maybe not. Better not say anything

You turned your head away and you saw him roll his eyes in the mirror and you couldn't help but say something  "don't roll your eyes at me. I'm not the one in the wrong"
"Piss off. My life is ruined" he muttered
"That's a you problem hun"

As soon as you said that the elevator reached the lobby and the doors opened. Perfect timing.
"I do apologise, my boyfriend is waiting for me"