Something Gained

Chapter One Hundred & Nineteen

It had been a whirlwind of emotions, yesterday and today. I had laughed about Daniel coming into the paddock on a horse of all things, something he managed to keep a secret from even me. Then the sadness of realising what I was going to be doing, meeting with Zak and then Toto before heading out to dinner with the original gang, Dan, Lando, Michael and Jon. Now though, I sat in the garage, watching Alex Palou drive Daniel's car round the track for the first practise session, Daniel was out on the pit wall and I could see him laughing with Zak

Surprisingly everyone had taken the news well, even Lando, I almost expected him to be a little off, but he was the most cheery, but it made me cry. The emotions overwhelming me as soon as I got back to my hotel room, Daniel was in complete shock as I laid in bed crying. I was officially moving to Mercedes for the start of the next season. Zak was happy for me, and enthusiastic as he always was. I wasn't going to make a proper team announcement yet, I would wait a little while longer, but Mercedes weren't announcing either which was good, so the group of people knowing had expanded, but not by much. I decided, after crying so much last night, that I would probably tell everyone when we were in Mexico for the next race, rather than mess about with the weekend now.

Qualifying was brilliant for the team. With some penalties applied, Daniel was on pole and Lando was right behind him. I was so so so so incredibly happy, especially when Daniel loved Austin as he did. Last night we had gone out again for some dinner in a restaurant Michael wanted to try. Just me, Dan, him and Blake. We laughed, ate and had a few drinks, Daniel less so because he was racing, but it was lovely. The race itself was beautiful and exactly what we loved to see as a team, Daniel winning again. Lando third, double podium.

In Mexico, on the Thursday morning before the race, Zak and Andreas had called for a team meeting. Originally I assumed it'll just be the people I cover, but when I walked down the stairs, I realised that all the engineers and strategists, the whole garage team was there as well. I was nervous. Sophia and Ben were by my side, they didn't know anything, not yet. Andreas pulled me up to the front and smiled before taking a microphone. I could see Daniel and Lando lingering to the side.

"Morning everyone" I started, I was met with a chorus of good mornings "I don't normally talk, but I felt like this was important. We're all this one big family, and the last three, nearly four years have been the most amazing time of my life, every single one of you plays such an amazing part in this team and you do it so well" I said, I could Zak nodding along with me "and I'm really going to miss that, miss being around you, miss being in this building with this team, even if I hate orange" I laughed, people laughed as well, but they looked confused.

"Next year, I'll be starting a new job elsewhere. I'm leaving McLaren. I wanted you all to know, before anyone else does. You all are amazing people and it's going to be so hard to go, but you'll still see me around" I said

"Where you off to?" Liam asked

"Mercedes, so I'll still be in the paddock. But thank you to every single one of you, and I hope you have the best season next year following on from this, it's been amazing to be with you during this season, three more races to go, and championships to win" I said. Everyone clapped. Liam was the first over to give me a hug, before I was surrounding by some of the mechanics. I had been around most of them for so long, bantering and laughing, it was going to be so weird.

Eventually they all left and it was all the media teams. These were the people I now worked with every single day. I received hugs from plenty of them. But Sophia and Ben looked shell shocked.

"Don't panic" I chuckled

"What are we going to do without you?" Ben asked

"What you already do now" I said to them, they both hugged me and then I sent them on their way to work. Andreas gave me a hug, even though he had already done so the other day. Zak hugged me to. Before I was left with just Lando. I had no idea where Daniel had gone.

"I'm sad" he said "it feels real now"

"I know Lands, but you'll be fine without me. I didn't do anything special"

"You just said every member in this team plays their part and has a role. You do to, and it's going to be weird without you. You've been in a constant for the important part in my career" Lando said. I hugged him tight

"I know, but you have Ben. You'll still have Zak and Andreas guiding you, it'll be okay" I said, he nodded before kissing my cheek "plus, you'll still see me. You can't get rid of me that easily. Late night McDonald's trips" I said, winking at him. He chuckled before I was called, I didn't know where I was being called from apart from that it was upstairs. I left Lando and headed up to my office, I walked in and Daniel was standing in there, he closed the door behind me and pulled me into a hug. I didn't do hugging and yet I'd managed to hug the entire team in the last 30 minutes.

"It's so strange" Daniel whispered

I know, but you've still got me" I said "you can't get the of me entirely" I said, he nodded and smiled. We had a busy weekend ahead of us, so all focus turned to that, with a sprint race included for Lando and Daniel.