In the Spotlight (Max Verstappen - Book Two)

Chapter Fifty

It's time.

Well almost, I'm on the grid finally, fifteen minutes until the race begins and I'm standing at the very centre of the track as I look back at the nineteen cars behind mine as we all prepare for the race that could end the season. My eyes catch Lewis' as he looks at me from where he is standing just behind his car and he doesn't break a smile, fully focused as we stare each other down. Finally, he brakes the eye contact with a respectful nod before turning his back on me and I look towards Charles who is busy looking behind him at Carlos and Max as he talks to his strategist. Max's eyes are on me, I know that without checking but I look at him nonetheless and I see a smile break onto his face as he looks at me and so I send him a confident wink before my eyes continue back the way, briefly meeting everyone's eyes it seems before I turn back around, trying hard to ignore the cameras that are trained on me as I look at Nick and Seb for support. The nerves making their way into my system.

Seb just smiles as Nick comes over, clearly nominated for the pre-race pep talk, placing a hand on either shoulder as he bends down so he's at eye level. "You got this. It's the same as every other race in the last few weeks. No one has a better connection with their car or is as good of a driver as you are. This win is yours. But remember, you're not on the hunt for positions like you normally are. So have fun, let loose a little." He says and I nod as I chew lightly on my lip, eyes darting back to the ground before I force myself to meet his again. This time nodding more determinedly, clearly it shows in my eyes and Nick smirks as he stands back up, pleased with his efforts. I take a look around and see the cameras are still far too close and in doing so this sends a silent message to Nick as he walks over to them and gives them a move backhand gesture as I look up at the sky, illuminated by the city lights of Las Vegas but otherwise black as can be. With a final deep breath in I return my head to resting position and throw myself forward into a handstand, something I haven't done all season but I get the sudden urge to do. I hold it perfectly, enjoying the slow progressive rush of blood to my head and my hands, pointing my toes lightly as I take a couple of steadying steps on my hands before holding still again, tensing my core as the blood rush takes out most of the business from around me.

It's a funny point of view, being on the start line but upside down. I can't help but almost let out a chuckle as the world is upside down, the photographers and film crews upside down and the cars stuck to the ceiling. Finally, I kick my legs back down and feel the blood rush back down from my head making me realise I held it for a moment too long, I bring a hand to my temple as Nick looks at me knowingly. "You numpty," he says as he wraps an arm around my shoulder and I shrug as he guides me towards Dani.

"All right," she says, lifting her clipboard to cover her mouth from the cameras and I look at her, trying to remind myself that this is just a normal race. Like any other, and if I don't do it this week, I'll do it next week. If not next week, then next year. It's fine. I'm fine. "Plan A, one-stop. The tires don't seem to degrade that fast we're going soft to mediums at around lap 17 if possible. Plan B, if something goes wrong, soft to hards around lap 8. Plan C, two stop, soft, medium and then we defer to you to choose the final compound." She informs me and I nod confidently as she is repeating information I already had memorised.

"Got it. We can do this," I tell her confidently and she smiles appreciatively, knowing that she is almost as invested in this title as I am as she is race engineer for me. She raises her hand in a fist bump and I respond as she checks the time quickly.

"Five minutes, get any other rituals done asap so we can get you in the car," she says softly and nods behind me, reminding me and I glance behind me to where Max is standing, now towards the nose of his car as he looks uncertainly towards me, clearly unsure as to whether he should come and interrupt. I wrap Dani in a quick hug, mumbling a thank you before turning on my heel and jogging towards Max who looks relieved and meets me halfway, coincidentally right next to Lewis' car. Max raises his pinky at me, as he does before most races and I take it in mine before putting my arms around his neck and pulling him into a hug which he quickly reciprocates.