AND IT CONTINUES - Max Verstappen

18

The weather in Singapore was too much for Daniella. It was too hot and she felt like she won't be able to function properly during free practice and qualifying sessions because of it.

She stood at the side of the small tub with minimal clothing as her performance coach, James, filled it with bags of ice cubes.

"You can step in now," James said to the driver as he was done pouring the ice into the tub, making it ready for the driver to get inside and cool down.

Daniella first touch the cold water with her right toe and immediately pulled back.

"It's too cold.." she let out a nervous laugh.

"Yes, that's why it's called an ice bath," James explained. "Get in now. We don't have much time."

A small pout appeared on the driver's face as she reluctantly got inside the small tub and sat down, the ice making her shiver as she hold on to the sides.

James laughed at her expression and shook his head, knowing well that she is going to complain about it long after the race ends.

After a few minutes Myra came in to click a few photos and film a short video of the driver for social media, adding more torture but Daniella tried to stay calm.

***

Daniella stood at her side of the garage, looking at the data on the screens with her race engineer, discussing the qualifying session which will start shortly. Everyone in the garage was being more than efficient because Daniella needs to finish the race in the top five or else she will be out of the championship competition. Luck hasn't been on her side in the second half of the season so she knows she has to fight hard to challenge Max.

"It will probably rain by the end of Q2," Toto came over, informing them about the weather.

"Yeah...we already know that," Daniella let out a shaky breath as she pointed at the screen in front of her.

Toto can sense her nervousness and didn't give a counter response. He is already well aware of what is going through her mind and didn't want to make it worse.

"Just try to get into Q3," He gave the driver a comforting smile.

Daniella nodded and smiled back.

***

Both the Mercedes driver can feel that the car is performing well on this particular track and it got their hopes up. Both setting the fastest lap time and challenging the Ferraris and the Red Bulls for pole position.

Max was asked to retire to his garage because of low fuel, making him not being able to qualify above P8.

At one point everyone thought one of the Mercedes is going to be on pole but in the end it was Charles Leclerc who got it and Lewis qualified P3 with Daniella right behind him in P4.

***

"We can't afford to do any mistakes tomorrow," Toto said to the team at the end of the debrief. "Lewis is already out of the championship, we need to do everything perfectly to keep Dani in the fight as long as we can."

Everyone looked at the younger driver but she just sulked back in her seat, the nervousness getting to her.

As everyone walked out of the room, ready to head back to the hotel, Daniella stayed back in her seat. Her mind was playing all sorts of scenarios about the upcoming race.

"Are you okay?" Lewis asked his teammate as he took the seat next to her.

"No.." Daniella mumbled and shook her head slightly. "If I don't do well tomorrow I will be letting the entire team down..." she voiced her concern.

Lewis understood where Daniella was coming from and the pressure she was feeling.

"You won't be letting the team down," she softly said. "You have already pushed the car this far and led the championship when the car wasn't even fourth fastest on the grid. Everyone knows that..."

"But still..."

***

Daniella huffed when she stepped inside the elevator of the hotel. George was already in there and as soon as he saw her his soft gaze turned into a glare.

She leaned against the wall as the elevator went up.

"Tired from helping your boyfriend lead the championship?" George asked in a snarky manner.

"Go to hell, Russell," Daniella replied without even looking at the Williams driver.

Before George could say anything else the elevator stopped and Daniella stepped out, making her way to her room.

❃.✮:▹　◃:✮.❃

A/N: Do you think Dani will still be in the championship fight after Singapore GP?