beyond the grid - max verstappen

chapter fifteen

the bustle of the garage and even louder grandstands was drowned out as i embraced the two mclaren drivers. just for a second we had created our own little bubble. a bubble that was hastily burst as michael called the australian back to his car.

in. out. my mind solely focused on my breathing, as i waited helmet in hand, for lando to pull on his balaclava. these moments seemed to go too slowly, my mind preparing for it to be the last. the nervous consumed my body and there was nothing i could do about it. he took the helmet from my hands, as if knowing i was frozen in place.

the young brit stuck his chin forward asking me to clasp the strap. he always redid it when he got into the car, but i appreciated the small gesture he made to assure me he was as safe as he could be. i placed my hands either side of the helmet holding him close enough so he could hear me.

"you've got this kid"

one, three, two, four. i tried to hid my hands from any possible cameras as i repeated the pattern on both sides. however, today i was feeling more exhilarated than nervous. the vibrations of the engines surging through my body as i stand on the track wall, no longer in the comfort of the garage.

it all seems a little bit quieter in the garage, but maybe the sound of the cars ripping past is what i need to empty my mind of any anxious thoughts. despite the sense of comfort, there was also an undeniable sense of vulnerability, knowing that the cameras would have more access to me as i stood with zak and the lead engineers. working in premier league, the cameras were always focused on the drivers, but here it was also about catching the reaction of those who were there to support the drivers. this was something that i was yet to get used to.

the rain had let off before the start of the race, but the trace was still holding the water. something else that always increased my nerves. their visibility was bad enough at the speed the driver would travel but adding the spray of water to the mix. visibility was at its worst.

my heart fastened watching the five lights come to life and my stomach dropped as the lights disappeared. the two red bulls pulling forward, taking the lead right from the line. lando moved slightly to the inside steering clear of the spray, finding a gap between checo and charles.

my hands flew to my mouth, i couldn't stop myself bouncing from excitement on the pit wall stools. within seconds my hands grasped my face even harder, watching daniel's car go straight into the side of carlos' ferrari.

daniel rejoins the race, battling at the end of the pack and when I realised, he was safe once again, I couldn't help but feel grateful I wasn't his press agent. there was sure to be a lot of interviewers trying to start drama about the crash.

I bit down on my knuckle as the only Ferrari left in the race seemed to be catching lando, ready to take any opening available. lando broke early going into the chicane of lap eight, leaving the gap that Charles had been hoping for. the tension of the garage was high, having just lost the podium position of the only point scoring car in the race. the tifosi fans brought the grandstands to life in support.

the nerves are still yet to dissipate after fifty laps of the race, the crowd was still going wild; chant and yelling with excitement as Charles holds onto the final podium position. lando had been able to decrease the gap between the two drivers, but still not close enough to apply pressure.

I let out a squeal as the back of charles' car swung out and into the barrier. lando speeds up passing the Ferrari before Charles could renter the track, gaining back the final podium position. despite the sombre mood of the Australians side of the garage, there was new found excitement on lando's side.

I felt frozen, my breath stuck in my throat, the only think my body was registering was the aching feeling in my legs having stood for nearly two hours. I couldn't move from my position for the following nine laps of the race, only taking a deep breath as the flash of lando's orange car passed the checked line.