Red Hot! (Sebastian Vettel)

49. Back Where He Belongs

Libby sat chewing her nails nervously.  She was perched on the edge of the sofa, her eyes glued to the television.   Andreas and Anthoine were sat either side of her.   Megan and Stefania had no interest in the race so they had gone out shopping. 

Today was the day.  The day where Seb could become a five time world champion.  He was the red hot favourite going into the last race,  fifteen points clear of Max.  If Max won and got fastest lap then Seb would only need to finish fourth.  

Max was starting on pole, Seb alongside him.   There had been talk on social media that maybe Seb would take Max out at the start to seal the title.  Libby knew Seb wouldn't.  He was honest and fair.   That wasn't him at all. 

"Want a beer?" Anthoine asked as he stood up and headed towards the kitchen.   It was still early but Libby said yes.  She needed something for her nerves. 

She wanted this so badly for Seb.  He deserved it so much.  He'd been through hell at Ferrari, and he'd worked so hard at Aston Martin.  He deserved to be the champion.  There was no one else who deserved it more than he did.  She wanted this for him, she wanted him to fulfil his dream despite how their friendship had ended. 

The camera zoomed in on Seb sat in his car as he waited for the grid to clear.   His eyes were unblinking and focussed on the task ahead.  Libby dug her nails into the palm of her hand.  He had to win. He just had to.  

The camera switched to Max, his eyes were just as focussed.   He was no stranger to this, being a double world champion himself.  

Next on the grid was Charles.  He was already guaranteed third in the championship, he didn't really have anything left to race for but he would always be a danger. 

Fourth was Scott.  He'd had an amazing season.  He was guaranteed at least seventh in the championship, possibly even sixth if he finished far enough ahead of George Russell today. 

The grid started to clear.   The camera zoomed in on the Rolex clock, waiting for the hand to tick over to the hour.  

The hand moved and Max led the field away on the formation lap. 

"He'll do it," Andreas reassured Libby.

The cars wound their way around and took their places on the grid.  Finally Nicholas Latifi came to a stop at the back.   A marshall with a green flag ran across the back, signalling that everyone was ready.   The lights came on one by one.  Time seemed to stand still.  Then they went out and the race was on.

                         ***

Seb had a great start.   He and Max went into Turn One virtually side by side.    Max came out in front after Seb yielded.  He'd decided it wasn't worth the risk. He followed him around as closely as he could, trying to pressure him into making a mistake. He didn't think it would happen, Max was far too good for that, but it was worth a try.

Both of them were on a two stop strategy. Seb pitted first in the first round of stops. He swore as he rejoined the track stuck behind the DRS train of Albon, Schumacher, Magnussen and Latifi.

"What the actual fuck!" he cursed. 

Max stopped two laps later. Seb had passed the train by then but had lost too much time. Max stayed in front.

"Stay calm," he muttered to himself. "You only need to finish top four. You don't have to win this race." But the competitive side of him wanted to win it.

A brief conversation with his engineer, Joshua, ended with the decision that they would extend the stint and try to overcut Max.

Max pitted. This time he was the one stuck behind a DRS train of Tsunoda, Gasly and Norris.