Wolff in the lions den | Max Verstappen #1

Family Pressure

We arrived in the Netherlands for Max's home Grand Prix. Max had arranged for us to go for a meal with his dad. He seemed so excited and kept saying how he couldn't wait for his dad to meet me. As we arrived at the restaurant I was full of nerves, I felt this enormous pressure to make a good impression as I knew how much his dad's opinion meant to Max.

"Chill he's going to love you, just like I do" Max said taking my hand as we waited at the table. I smiled back at him.

My own dad didn't like me half the time why would it be any different with his.

Max gently squeezed my hand and as I looked up I saw Jos walking towards us. Of course I'd seen him around before but this would be the first time that I would be properly meeting him face to face. Max stood up as he came closer so I did the same.

"Hi it's lovely to meet you" I said smiling. Jos didn't acknowledge me he just nodded at Max at took his seat, I felt like such an idiot.

They mainly spoke about racing whilst I sat in silence listening and smiling. Occasionally Max would try to bring me into the conversation but every time Jos would shut him down and start talking about something else.

Eventually Jos spoke to me "So you have no job is that right" he asked.

I felt so uncomfortable I shifted in my chair and Max placed his hand on my thigh and squeezed it gently.

"At the moment yes" I replied.

Jos mumbled something in Dutch and Max's grip tightened on my thigh, he looked furious. All of a sudden they started arguing in Dutch, of course I couldn't understand what was being said so I just sat there my eyes darting between the two of them. I had a feeling it related to me though.

"Come on we're going" Max said as he stood up. I didn't question him I just got up and followed him out of the restaurant leaving Jos where he was.

As we were in the car on our way back to the hotel, Max sat with his fists clenched. I decided to take his hand trying to calm him down.

"What was that about" I asked squeezing his hand.

"Nothing" he snapped back, pulling his hand out of mine. We spent the rest of the journey back to the hotel in complete silence. In fact we didn't speak for the rest of the night.

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There was a knock at the door and Christian entered.

"Where's Jos" he asked looking at Max.

"He's not coming" Max replied still looking at his phone. I saw Max's eyes dart over to me and then back to Christian.

Christian didn't say anything he just nodded to signal he understood. I'm glad he did because I was still oblivious and it was really starting to annoy me. Christian gave me a pitiful smile and then turned to leave, closing the door behind him.

As Max got himself ready to head out for qualifying i decided I couldn't just sit there silent waiting to see when he'd decide to talk to me.

"Are you going to explain last night to me?" I asked.

"It doesn't matter" he replied as he zipped up his race suit and picked up his helmet going to leave. I stepped in front of him blocking his way.

"But it does Max, you haven't spoken to me since we left the restaurant" I could hear the hurt in my voice. It was like he was punishing me for whatever his dad had said.

"I said it doesn't matter just leave it please" He replied as he tried moved me out of the way.

"Is it something I did?" I asked. I couldn't help but feel that this was all my fault. Max placed his hands on either side of my face and tilted my head up to look at him.

He gently kissed me and whispered against my lips "You did nothing wrong, He's just an asshole okay"

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There was something different about this Grand Prix, there was something about the orange mist surrounding the track.

The feeling of everyone being there to support Max made me so happy. He did great and of course when he won the whole garage erupted into cheers.

"Come on" GP said as he pulled me along with him, we went all the way down the pit lane to where the cars were going to pull up. Max got straight out of his car and came over to me pulling me up into his arms almost pulling me over the barrier.

I watched as Max stood on the podium, I felt so proud of him. But of course I couldn't help but feel sad for him at the same time. All this support for Max but not even his own dad was here.