SV5 - One Shots

There Is Still A Race To Win (Seb & Mollie)

So this was what it all came down to. Eighteen and a half years after he'd made his debut at Indianapolis it all came down to today. Fifty eight laps of the Yas Marina circuit were all that stood between Sebastian Vettel and the rest of his life.

He smiled as he climbed out of the car after his mechanics had pushed him down the grid to the pole position slot for the final time. It wasn't going to be a fairytale ending, he wouldn't be going out as champion. That honour this year had gone to George Russell. It had been the battle of the Brits. George had sealed it at the previous race. Lando had come a valiant second. Seb could seal third by finishing on the podium today. Third...there would have been a time when he'd have been disappointed with that but he hadn't done too badly for himself had he? He was a seven time world champion, only the third driver to ever achieve that.

He nodded at his number one mechanic Mikey. They been through a lot together, and Seb knew that even though he wouldn't be racing anymore that he'd made a friend for life. Mikey blinked back his tears. "I can't believe this is it," he said.

"Let's go out in style," Seb replied, fighting his own tears. The two men hugged fondly. From behind him Seb heard a wailing sound. He turned and saw his press officer, Britta Roeske, dissolving into floods of tears. She'd been in the sport for as long as he had, she'd been there for all his championships. She'd seen him grow from a young, cocky, wannabe champion into the man he was now.

He closed the gap between them and folded his arms around the blonde German woman.

"It's ok. We'll still see each other. Roman will want lots of cuddles with his godmother!"

"I'm so proud of you," she wept.   "You've achieved so much."

"We achieved it.  Me, you, Antii...everyone we've worked with."
Seb released Britta.  He brushed her cheek with a finger.   "This is only the beginning.  I have a whole new life to look forward to.  As a husband. As a father."

He turned to Antti and they embraced. "Thank you Antti.  Thank you for everything.  You started off as my PT.  You ended up one of my best friends."

"Good luck boss.  You and Mols and Roman...you deserve the best."

Seb turned and saw his parents stood by the pitwall.  He nearly broke.  He owed them everything. Without their sacrifices he'd never have made it to Formula 1, never mind be leaving it as one of the most successful drivers ever.

He walked over to them and they wrapped their arms around him.  They needed no words.  Their love for him and his love for them went without saying. 

Finally he walked to over to the most important person in his life.   His strength, his passion, his true love.  His Mollie. 

They stared into each other's eyes, their love shining out at each other.  "Where's Roman?" Seb asked. 

"He's with Cassie, I thought it
might be a bit too noisy for him on the grid." Seb kissed her on the forehead.

"I love you Mols," he said emotionally.
Mollie smiled at her husband. She knew how hard he was fighting to keep his emotions under control.

Seb was struggling to keep it together but he knew the world's media was on him. He was getting more coverage that weekend than the new world champion. He wasn't going to become a quivering mess in front of them, well not before the race anyway!

"Just think," Mollie said, "after this weekend Roman will have two retirees for parents. He will have both of us there for all his milestones, not many kids can say that." Seb nodded. He knew he'd made the right decision but it didn't make it any less painful.