Something Gained

Chapter Ninety-Five

Miami was a whirlwind of craziness, the first Grand Prix here was certainly living up to expectations, fans were wild and the guys qualified p3 and p5, Lando ahead of Daniel, Charles was separating them, Carlos and Max ahead of Lando, the second red bull behind Daniel. They were definitely pumped and ready to go.

I walked into the paddock with Sophie on Sunday morning, receiving happy birthday messages as I walked through the paddock, I smiled and adjusted my paddock pass around my neck awkwardly, I never knew what to say when people said happy birthday, it was awkward. One of our media guys had been waiting and had the camera out to film, I assumed for the unboxed series, which although I was used to cameras being around, being front and centre was not my forte. Ironic since I was dating one of the most well know drivers in the world.
"Happy birthday to our one and only Alex!" Nathan shouted, I laughed with Sophie
"Thank youuuuu!" I giggled, before he switched the camera off and walked with us.
"How are you today?" Nathan asked
"I'm good, ready to go" I said
"I'm good thank you, how are you?" Sophie asked. We chatted absentmindedly as we walked to the McLaren motorhome, Nathan walked in quickly and Sophie did also, I walked in and was greeted with cheers and yells from the whole team, damn they got me again. I smiled, three years in a row this has happened.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!" Everyone yelled, Lando walked over towards me with a large cake which was a McLaren racing car, I laughed and blew out the candles after the singing finished, before Daniel then came over with a card and gifts from the team.
"Speech" Ben and Sophie yelled, I laughed and every quietened down.
"Okay okay, I'm not good at this but thank you all, you guys are amazing and I love you all. This is my third birthday with you, and all though every single one has been working, you're my people. Thank you so much for another amazing birthday, it's been a great year so far so for the love of god PLEASE, let's go get it" I said, everyone applauded.

I was so lucky to have this job and have these people around me. It was perfect, it was like a dream. I really wouldn't have it any other way. After I had finished everything I needed to do for the day, I made my way down to the garage ready for the race.
"Birthday girl" Michael greeted. He was standing with Daniel, Sophie and Blake. I smiled and waved at them both.
"Heyy, we all good?" I hadn't seen any of them since this morning as I had so many things to do so it was nice to be back in the garage, Michael's arm come around me and I gave him a side hug before Daniel was my next target.
"So do we want a movie night with drinks or do we want to go out?" Blake asked
"For?" I asked as I typed away on my phone replying to an email, leaning against Daniel
"Erm, your birthday" Michael laughed
"Oooooh" I didn't realise it was for that. I didn't really mind, I was fine with whatever "what does everyone else want to do?" I asked
"No it's your day" Sophie said
"Let's go out then" I smiled, they all nodded
"DR3 team" Daniel smiled, we all looked round at each other
"Hell yeah" Sophie smiled
"I don't really count anymore, I'm not part of the driver team" I laughed
"You keep him happy, it counts" Michael winked, I tapped his arm gently as Daniel laughed
"That she does" Daniel said
"Go and do your job you" I rolled my eyes at him
"Yes boss" Daniel saluted me

I did my usual of telling both Daniel and Lando to be safe before settling down at the back of the garage with Ben and Sophie in front of the screens to watch the race. I watched as the guys went round the new Miami circuit, it was an interesting track, a lot different to anything we'd been at before. The team strategy was brilliant, pitting Lando later putting him into second, with just Max in front, there was a problem with Charles' car, which caused him to retire, putting Daniel into fourth, he then did the most amazing overtake on Carlos putting him right behind Lando. On the last lap the boys and Max went three wide on the track, something I had never seen before on such a late stage in a race. They both overtook Max who had some tyre issues. I couldn't believe the scenes, Lando and Daniel were one and two as they came through.

"Our first Miami Grand Prix and we have a new winner to add to the list. Lando Norris takes his first formula one victory, Daniel Ricciardo comes home second to make it a one two for McLaren, what a season they're having!"

The scenes were crazy in the garage, I could hear Lando yelling through the radio, as him and Daniel drove side by side pumping the air. What another brilliant result, I couldn't believe what was happening, this season was completely mind blowing.

"Kiddo!" I yelled as Lando came running over to the team waiting near the podium.
"I did it! I won!" Lando yelled. We all hugged, Daniel hugged him as well.
"Another podium! That's another bloody podium" I said to Daniel, he was beaming. He gave me a hug
"The win is everything, but I'm so proud of him" Daniel whispered to me before he was dragged away. I could of cried. Daniel was everything, he was so respectful and so happy for his teammate. In this sport, sometimes your teammate was your biggest rival, but Daniel and Lando, apart from the on track battles for the championship, they were each other's biggest supporters and I loved it. It made me so emotional with his words. At least there was another big celebration incoming for tonight. The first and second finish put McLaren second in the constructors championship, and put Daniel and Lando together at the top of the table, only Max ahead, it was a brilliant result.

"Thank you guys, head back and get yourself sorted" I spoke to Ben and Sophie.
"See you in a bit?" Sophie asked, I smiled and nodded. They were quickly replaced by Daniel and Lando who come into my office where I was originally having a meeting with Sophie and Ben. They both had their trophies in hand, beaming.
"I am honestly so proud of you two" I grinned, I couldn't contain my excitement
"Did you see the post race conference?" Lando asked
"No I haven't had a chance? Why?" I asked
"Maybe check it out, or Twitter or something" Daniel smiled. I gave them a weird look as they sat down but I went onto Twitter anyway.

"She may be higher up in the team now, but the Dreamtime is still very much alive. Lando Norris partly dedicated his win to Alex Walker, who was previously his press officer. Lando spoke in the post race conference earlier and said 'Alex has been with me through the important part of my career, she was an integral part in working the partnership Daniel and I had together and she's been our rock through the lows and our biggest encouragement to reach the highs, she's my best friend really. The team has done amazingly this year, everyone from the guys back at the factory at home, to Andreas and Zak, it's a family at McLaren, and this season is show the hard work pay off'

Daniel Ricciardo was also present in the conference due to the fantastic performance from the Woking based team, coming second. He is dating Alex, and added that she had been his biggest supporter and really helped him through a tricky transition along with his best friends Michael and Blake, who are his performance coach and manager respectively. McLaren are performing incredibly well this year and sit second in the constructors championship, could they be on their way to their first constructors title since 1998. They're certainly looking strong with this duo"

I read through the article and smiled. I couldn't believe he had mentioned me, same for Daniel. I put my phone down and saw both of them watching me.
"You didn't need to do that" I smiled at them
"Dream team is still going strong" Lando smiled, he literally couldn't contain his excitement, I loved it.
"And now you get to have a brilliant welcome home party of your own" I smiled, reminiscing to Daniel's previous two victories and the big welcome committee at the MTC for them. We had a break between races and we had to head back to England anyway but it would give me the much needed opportunity to visit Hannah, she was let home today with baby and everything was good with them both which was wonderful news. There was so much to celebrate about. Speaking off, it was time to pack up and head back to the hotel to get the party started.