Something Gained

Chapter Sixty-Seven

I walked into the paddock with Daniel and Lando for race day. We met up with Zak and Andreas outside the Mclaren building.
"So who's got penalties?" Daniel asked. Two drivers ahead of Lando had received penalties for the qualifying times yesterday.
"Bottas, 3 places, Max 5 places" Zak said, by receiving the penalties it pushed Lando up by two places meaning he would start 4th instead of 6th today which did the team a favour.
"So does Bottas goes behind him?" Lando asked
"Bottas is 6th, Max is 7th" Andreas said
"Ah well starting on the left will be better to get away than starting on the right" Lando said. They were discussing a few things, because the team would have to change the strategy slightly to aid Lando in getting a good start. Daniel smirked and walked behind me
"Cool, so where do I start? Oh wait 14th" he said as started moving away from the group. We all laughed at his comment, making light of his misfortune from yesterday. I couldn't help but look at him, his white McLaren top that matched mine and Lando's, showing of his tanned skin, even the orange cap he wore he made look good. His headphones around his neck. We walked up to the building and went inside.

"Lando, David Beckham is here today. He'll be joining us in the garage for the race. He's going to meet up with you soon" I said as I walked into my office with the guys behind
"Amazing" Lando said. He admired David, and they had met before when David visited the McLaren garage for another race weekend last year.
"Daniel, you've got bits with Michael to do" I said, he nodded
"Enjoy, come on Lands" I said as I dropped off my stuff. Daniel squeezed my hand as I passed him following Lando out the door to see David. Meeting celebrities was weird for me. I worked with people who were so well known and basically celebrities but I didn't see them like that. They were friends and colleagues, meeting someone like David Beckham was a whole other level. Zak joined us as Lando shook hands with footballing legend himself, I stood a little off the side letting them have their chat.
"This is Alex by the way, basically mine and Daniels right hand girl" Lando said introducing me and pointing to me. I stepped forward a little awkward as I didn't expect the introduction, I held out my hand and shook David's, this was so weird
"Nice to meet the person that keeps them in line" David said with a smile
"Alex is great, she handles a vast portion of our team as well as our drivers, wouldn't be without her" Zak said smiling. I literally could die on the spot, I loved I was spoken highly of but I was awkward as well about it as I didn't know what to say
"Well it's lovely to meet you"
"It's great to meet you to" I said to him
"Well if I've gotta head off, but I'll see you all in the garage soon" he said to everyone. We all waved and said goodbye before we left back to the McLaren building to get ready for the race.

I sat down in the garage with Hannah, Michael and Jon. We all head our headphones on listening in to the race as we watched it on the screens. I am McLaren through and through and the biggest fans of both Lando and Daniel, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't root for Daniel with the poor luck he's been having recently. I hated to see him disappointed and I hoped this would be a great race for him. Lando was comfortable but got overtaken a few times during the race, along with his pit stop he dropped to 9th. Daniel made up two places in the end, finishing 12th, which for the team wasn't ideal to only come away with two points, but for them as individuals, they did this sport to win and keep winning, so I knew anything less than that and they wouldn't be happy. So when the race finished we all took off our headsets and I walked out the garage with Michael and Jon to find Daniel and Lando.

Michael took Daniels helmet off of him and Daniel took of all his things and unzipped his race suit letting it drop to around his waist, he was sweaty and hot and I wasn't surprised. It was warm enough in Qatar, but sitting in that car for 90 minutes was like double to heat. Michael handed him a baseball cap which he slipped on his head
"You okay mate?" Michael asked
"Honestly that was the most bizarre race I've ever had" he said, he was definitely deflated, no hiding that. I looked over at Lando who was chatting with Jon before they came over to join us.
"Not what we were looking for" Lando said to Daniel, Daniel shook his head and they fist bumped each other anyway.
"Let's get this over with" Lando said, looking at me. I walked with Daniel and Lando towards the media pen.
"If I get frustrated and annoyed what will happen?" Daniel asked
"Well it would only be your opinions but I would be dealing with the backlash" I said chuckling
"Let's not make her job any harder" Lando said
"My job is hard?" I asked
"Well you have to deal with us on the daily" Lando said
"Good point. It's the toughest job in the world" I said joking, "wouldn't have it any other way, it's also the best job" I said them both
"Aww group hug" Daniel squealed like a little girl and engulfed Lando and i in a hug.
"Ewwwww sweaty" I said into both of their chests. I loved them both but they had literally just got out the cars and it was gross
"Don't mind me sweaty any other time" Daniel laughed as he let go of us
"Ew" Lando said.
"Come on, Lando you've got sky sports, Daniel you've got ESPN" I said as I put them in their places in front of the journalists and cameras.