Against all odds

Chapter 27

Not long after that the rain reduced, and the race was about to start.

The cars were huddled to the track, and I was sat there under an umbrella until the formation lap was about to start.

The first half of the race went fairly good for Max and me. It wasnt until lap 40 when it suddenly stopped raining.

Almost everyone went to pit for slicks a few laps later as the track dried off and I raced to catch Hamilton who was 19 seconds ahead of me.

I managed to steal P2 from him, just before it had started to pour down again.

"How are the conditions? "

"Wet as fuck. I dont think we can stay on slicks for long."

"Copy. Well get back to you."

"Hows Max?"

"Hes in P1"

"His tires have to be much older than mine, right?"

"They are. Box next lap please."

"No. Get Max some inters. Ill deal with the Mercedes. How many laps to go?" I denied his order seeing Lewis catching up to me in my mirrors.

"Ten Laps to go. Ten Laps"

"Copy. Keep me posted on the gap please."

"Gap to Hamilton 3.6 seconds."

"Thanks."

I decided to go full risk for the last laps not wanting to give up a podium for the team. I saw Max driving into the pits and a few laps later I was struggling to take a corner for a second but catching the car the moment after.

"Its getting slippery. How many laps?"

"5 Laps to go. The gap to Hamilton on inters is 5.8 seconds after a slow pit stop."

"Copy. How much faster is he on those tires?" I asked again trying to gain as much information as possible.

"He has 0.9 seconds on you."

"Great. Hows Max doing?"

"Catching Bottas in two to three laps."

"Thanks Simon."

"No problem. Do you think you can stay out in these conditions?"

"Yes. I can finish on these. I cant promise theyll be looking too nice though."

"Copy. Bring her home Alex."

"And I did bring her home. A second podium for me in my home country. I was beyond happy about the turn of this race. "

As I jumped out of the car, I went to embrace the Team and after I was let go and took helmet and gloves off, I finally spotted my family behind the fence. I immediately stormed to them and was embraced in a huge group hug.

Emily who was on Chris arm so she could see over the barriers clung onto me after we pulled away.

"Wirst du mich bald loslassen oder soll ich das Interview mit einem Klammeraffen führen?" (Are you going to let me go soon or should I do the interview with a monkey on my arm?) I laughed. She responded: "Nein. Ich lass nicht los." (No, Im not letting go.) and tightened her grip around my neck.

"Can you get me one of my jackets to keep her dry?" I asked Ian who was standing near us.

He promptly handed me one and I put it around my sister pulling the hood of it over her head.

"Thanks. Ill do the interview with her. She wont let go anytime soon." I explained to the Englishman.

"Okay. Lets do it though." Theyre waiting for you.