Something Gained

Chapter Ninety-Eight

"That's another fucking podium" I heard Daniel yell through the radio, he had done an amazing job. All the way through the race, the strategy worked perfectly. The only exception was Max was ahead and won the race.
"Daniel just to let you know, Verstappen is under investigation for leaving the track on that overtake" Daniel's engineer said. I heard his 'understood' reply. I didn't know they were investigating, what would happen now?

The final lap, Daniel was ahead of Max and he overtook him, whether he overtook off the track or not was being investigated, which potentially could mean that Max would have to give that place back.

As a team we celebrated anyway, a second place finish was still amazing, I knew he would of wanted the win, but we would have to see. I had stayed in the garage with Michael and Blake waiting. Along with his engineers and Andreas to see the outcome. I tapped my fingers on the desk quickly, feeling impatient and anxious.

"Max has to give the place back, Daniel's first place" Andreas said to the remainder of people left in the garage
"You're joking!" I jumped up
"He overtook with all four wheels off the track, meaning he gives the place back and goes second, Daniel won" he spoke, reading from his phone. I jumped on Michael as we, along with Blake cheered.
"Let's go, we have to see him" Blake said, we all went out to the rest of the team as he was pulling into the pit lane, now being told to go to the number one spot. He jumped onto the top of the car, and pumped the air with his fist before jumping off and into the team who was cheering and slapping his helmet in celebration.

Daniel shook hands with Max and they hugged before the did their interviews and went to the podium. I don't think I've ever stood underneath this many podiums the whole time I've worked at McLaren, this was insane. Another win for my man!

"Whatever you're doing to him, don't stop doing it" Michael chuckled as we headed back to the trailer waiting for him to come back from his media duties.
"I'm not doing anything" I laughed as I walked into my office
"Hmm, sure thing" Michael winked before heading to Daniel's room for him.

"I don't know what you're doing, but keep it up" Andreas said as he walked into my office and sat down.
"Why does everyone keep telling me that" I laughed "they're just doing a great job, the car is great, the team is executing things well, I have the least input"
"You have more input then you know Alex, you look after so many people and no one ever has a bad word to say about you" Andreas said
"Well thank you" I smiled. Sophie and Ben walked in for the usual debrief
"I'll leave you to it, team photos in 30 minutes" Andreas said getting up
"Thank you" I smiled as Sophie sat down with Ben in his place.
"I really wanted to speak with you if I could Alex" Ben said, he looked quite sad
"Do you want me to go?" Sophie asked, Ben shook his head, Sophie went and closed the door and I turned to Ben
"What's up?" I asked him
"I just got a call that my grandad has passed away, I was wondering if I could have some leave, to fly home and be with them and then for the funeral, but it means missing the next race"
"Oh Ben I'm so so sorry, don't even worry about work. That's not even a concern, you take as much time as you need and focus on yourself and your family" I was so saddened to hear this, but I'd also never been in a position like this before where I had someone asking me if they could have leave from work.
"I can be back for Azerbaijan" he said
"If that's what you want to do then absolutely, if it's not and you're still with your family then you do what you need to do, I will sort out everything from here" I told him
"I'm really sorry to do this"
"Ben you have nothing to be sorry about. Spend the time with your family, and I'll sort it" I told him
"Thank you Alex, I'll be leaving now if that's okay"
"Absolutely, I wouldn't expect you to stay. Get yourself home" I told him, he nodded and I stood up and I hugged him, everyone knew what it was like to lose someone you loved but it was never an easy or wanted experience. I didn't even think about how crazy Monaco would now be. Sophie hugged Ben before he left and she sat back down.

"Right, debrief will be short, and now I have other things to sort out for Monaco, I'll take over from Ben and be with Lando, but I might need your help with some bits"
"Absolutely, just let me know what I can do to help and I will"
"Thank you Soph. Monaco is going to be very very mad, as you know"
"Definitely, I got your back don't worry" Sophie said, I smiled as we chatted through bits from the weekend before I went to speak to Zak about Ben's departure and that Sophie and I would be splitting Lando's responsibilities for Monaco. He agreed and was fine with it, now I had to and tell Lando.

"WOOHOOO!" Lando yelled. "I mean obviously I hope Ben is okay, I'll give him a text, but I get my bestie back for a little while" he smiled, I was sat in his room with Jon was massaging his back, I mean he didn't even race today so I don't know why he needed a massage but each to their own.
"Yeah I'll check in on him, but yeah. I'll be with you, Soph will help here and there as it's a big race, but back to the old days" I laughed at him
"I heard yelling" Daniel said coming in
"Lando's being weird, can you even believe he's getting a massage and he didn't even race" I laughed
"Hey!" Lando said, he got up and Jon was laughing at him
"Kids these days" Daniel rolled his eyes "what's going on?"
"Ben has had to go, family matters. So next week I'll be filling in so I'll be with Lando" I told him
"Oooh I see, that's cool"
"Take it easy on Sophie, she's helping me out with some things so she'll have more to do than normal" I said to Daniel, he nodded
"Take it easy? I mean I'm not a horrible person"
"Yeah but you're like a kid, you both are" I said to him and Lando before laughing and leaving the room.