daylight, MAX VERSTAPPEN

EIGHT, the streets of monaco

NEW race weekend, knew challenges, a potential new championship leader.

Monaco. Such a beautiful place, an entirely different world, and when the streets became a circuit, boy did the whole country come alive.

Elena had always loved Monaco, sure the races could sometimes be slightly repetitive, their not being many overtaking points, but the atmosphere was what made it such an incredible experience... and it did only happen once a year.

El had almost always gone to Monaco, and Sienna had lived there for a few years now. She took a job in the French-Speaking country, moving from America to work with the many models that lived there.

Elena had gone across to film something for Giorgio Armani, a 'Monegasque special'. That's where she and Sienna had met.

Almost all the drivers nowadays lived in Monaco, being a hot sport for famous, rich people, but only one was born there.

Charles, even though he had grown up waking the streets of the circuit, had never finished a home race.  Elena had always sympathised with him, as he could never catch a break with the tight circuit.

However this year, she wasn't only thinking about whether Charles finished the race. If Max won, and Lewis finished low down enough, Max could take the lead of the Championship for the first time in his Formula One career.

It was Thursday, Media day, and Elena had flown over to Monaco a day before the race weekend officially began, to explore Monaco herself a little.

Checo had messaged her earlier explaining that he wasn't able to go with her, as his trainer Jose needed him to do a few more preparations before the race.

Elena was stood outside the Media paddock, staring at her brother's text pursing her lips. "Ah mierda." she sighed.

Suddenly, the door to the paddock opened, and two people came out of the conference room. Elena hadn't noticed, as she was replying to Checo's message, silently cursing him for leaving her on such short notice, when a loud voice called her name...

Well, spelt it out.

"E,L,E,N,A my friend why are we stood outside in the cold?"

She turned around and smiled widely and Daniel Ricciardo, and then at Max was stood behind him, and had poked his head around his mate to see the girl.

She shrugged, "I was waiting for my brother but he bailed on me." she said, sighing.

Daniel dropped his jaw in a mock offender manner. "How dare he."

"I know right." Elena said, rolling her eyes, still smiling. "It's alright. I'll just find my hotel." she joked, pushing herself off the wall she was leaning on.

Max frowned slightly. "You don't know where you're hotel is?"

"I haven't been to Monaco since 18'." Elena admitted. "New buildings, new hotels. I don't know my way around anymore. It's fine, it will be an adventure." she said, as she began to walk away. "Adios boys."

Elena walked away, replacing her phone in her bag as she strolled along to the exit of the paddock and put into the Monegasque streets.

She looked along for cars before she went to cross the street, before he phone buzzed. She retrieved it and saw a reply from Checo, telling her "Eat shit." (She'd previously told him she might grab something nice to eat on the way back to the hotel, since he'd be training. )

She laughed at his aggravation, typing a quick message back, before stepping out to cross the street.

Suddenly, and arm wrapped around her waist and she was pulled back into the pavement, as a car, very much going over the speed limit, blew past.