Horner's daughter

Who's that girl?

The lights were dimmed and the music blared as people celebrated the race weekend. It had been a successful one for Red Bull with Max coming home first in the Monaco Grand Prix and Sergio had narrowly missed out on a podium, finishing fourth.

The Austrian team had decided that a party was in order especially now that Max was leading the drivers' championship and so the room was full of Red Bull drivers, past and present alongside staff members and some other guests that had been brought along. The team weren't particularly picky and welcomed anyone to the celebration so long as they were up for a good time.

It was here that the race winner stood, talking to his former teammate and close friend, Daniel Ricciardo. With a drink in their hands the two chatted away about anything, laughing and joking with each other.

It was during this that something, or rather someone, caught Max's eye causing the Dutchman to lose focus on what Daniel was telling him. This drew the Australian's attention and he smirked when he saw what Max was looking at.

"Someone caught your eye mate?" He said teasingly, waggling his eyebrows.

"Shut up Daniel" Max replied, embarrassed to have been caught.

"Come on mate, you can't deny it. I saw you staring. Spill"

His friend sighed "Alright, who's that girl standing with Christian? I was looking at her"

Daniel guffawed "That's Y/N. Christian's daughter."

"Shit, that's his daughter? No way, she's beautiful. I didn't recognise her."

There was good reason for this. Y/N Horner rarely attended races with her father anymore. He vaguely remembered meeting her when he'd first joined Red Bull from Toro Rosso at 18 and he hadn't seen much of her since. She'd changed a lot in the six years between and he was sure he had too.

She was always busy when he visited the factory in Milton Keynes and the rest of the time Max was in Monaco or at races.

Christian had been going around the room with his daughter introducing her to people and he was now walking towards Max and Daniel.

"Hi Max, Daniel. This is my daughter Y/N. I don't suppose either of you have seen much of her for a while. Y/N, this is Max Verstappen. I think you might have met a while ago. He's our race winner and current championship leader. What a talent he is. This is Daniel Ricciardo, he used to drive for us a few years ago if you remember?"

Max offered her a smile "Hi, it's been a long time."

"It has, it's nice to properly meet the famous Max that dad's always mentioning. He mostly says good things." She winked.

"Only mostly? Well I'm sure I can set the record straight with the bad things."

"Can Daniel back you up on that?" She said teasingly looking at the Australian.

"Well nobody's perfect right?"

"So what you're saying is that the bad things are true?"

"Depends but I'm sure they can be explained. Right Max?" The McLaren driver joked, trying to be a good wingman to his former teammate.

"Yeah I mean they're probably just misunderstandings."

"I'd be interested in hearing the stories behind them one day then" she said flirtily, smiling "I think I'd better go though, it was nice seeing you both again."

Y/N allowed Christian to lead her away to be introduced to other people and Max couldn't help but feel disappointed. He'd enjoyed talking to her and found her humour and friendliness refreshing.

Daniel noticed his disappointment and decided to tease him because of course he did. This was Daniel and that was his brand. "Is my company not enough for you Max? You know I'm hurt, I really am. You've spoken to her for what, ten minutes, and you already prefer talking to her over me. Six years we've known each other Max." He was really going for the dramatics, placing his hand over his heart in fake pain.

"I never said I preferred talking to her over you Daniel, that's your words."

"She was properly flirting with you though mate. You're playing a dangerous game here being interested in Christian's daughter. Be careful, I know he likes you but you do want to have a seat at the end of this year." Daniel cautioned his friend, he could see the beginnings of chemistry between them in the short interaction and he wanted Max to be happy but Christian Horner was sometimes unpredictable so he wanted Max to be on his guard.

"I know but I mean we'll see where it goes. I'm surprised Christian didn't say anything to be honest. It's like he didn't even realise what was going on."

"Alright mate, just warning you."

"I appreciate it mate but let's just enjoy the party right?"

"Cheers to that" agreed the Aussie.

Max spared one final look at Y/N who was standing with her father, smiled to himself and then turned to Daniel to finish the conversation they'd been having before Y/N had arrived quietly hoping that there wouldn't be six years between this and their next interaction.