Something Gained

Chapter One Hundred & Twenty Two

When I say I screamed, I mean I literally screamed. I could hear Daniel yelling through the radio. This was his ultimate dream, and it had come true, the last race of the season. The garage was electric, a sea of orange was running down the pit lane to greet our champion, Lando finished 3rd in the championship, which was his highest since he started his f1 career. But I could not believe it. Daniel was the world champion. I was all over the place, I didn't know what to do with myself. Michael picked me up and swung me around as we both yelled at the top of our voices. I lost all sense of what I was doing in that moment. I just knew that all of us were doing the same thing, screaming and shouting and pumping the air with our fists.

Daniel's family were here to see this, his closest friends, this was his moment and I couldn't quite comprehend anything going on, but I stood by Michael and now Blake as we all soaked up the fact that our boy had achieved the most amazing thing and we were all collectively so proud of him. We were always proud of him, we had been proud all year, we had been proud whether he sat in 20th or 1st, but this was on another scale. How Daniel was feeling I had no idea, but I had to see him, I had to see his celebrations and his enjoyment.

I practically ran down to the barriers, where the rest of the team had gone when we were able. I was behind the whole team and anyone there to greet the champion and podium finishers, but I saw him pull in by the time we got there. I watched as he sat in the car, switching off the engine and putting his head in his hands, shaking it as if he was trying to wake himself from a dream. But this wasn't a dream, this was real life. He did it. He did it and I knew he would do it.

Lewis and Max got out their cars and did their hugs with their teams, and took off their helmets and things, Max looked defeated but he raced well, but even though it's sounded horrible, I didn't care. The only person I cared about, sat in his car in disbelief still. He finally moved, slowly. Taking off the headrest, then the steering wheel, then finally hoisting himself up out of the car, before climbing up and standing on the halo as he always did. It all happened in slow motion until he stood up, fireworks going off in the background for our champ. He punched the air with his fists and more fireworks went off, almost drowning out the cheers from the team, the claps from other teams and the roar of the fans in the stands opposite. Lando had already come running, and as soon as Daniel was down, he engulfed him in the biggest hug. I wiped away the tears rolling down my face. My heart swelling with pride, I was full of happiness and relief. All worries, anxiety, nerves, that had all gone. Replaced with joy, happiness, excitement, pride, all of the best feelings.

Daniel POV

I couldn't believe it. I couldn't even describe the emotions I was feeling, I kept thinking I was going to wake up and it was all going to be a dream. The engine silenced around me to the car as I pulled up in front of the number one board in the pitlane. The whole lap round to get back was a blur, I could hear the shouting and cheering through the radio from the garage, I shook my head in disbelief before finally climbing out of the car and slowly climbing onto the halo as I always did after a win.

After the celebrations with the team I returned to my car, my beautiful beautiful car that had been my partner, taking me to success, I crouched down at the front left wheel and just stayed there, holding onto the car. I wasn't sure what to think, or what to do. I didn't want to remove my helmet in fear of crying, I was speechless. Everything my parents had sacrificed, every goal I had worked towards, every day I had spent in the gym, every lap I pushed on, everything I had sacrificed in life, the hardships, the redbull move that until this year I still questioned whether I should of stayed, everything. It had all lead me to my dream. I was the world champion. The world bloody champion.

I was dragged from my thoughts by Lewis patting me on the back.

"Well done mate. What a year, what a race you had. Congratulations" I stood up and shook his hand before we hugged. I always liked sharing the podium with Lewis.