In the Spotlight (Max Verstappen - Book Two)

Chapter Fifty-One

I refuse to give up despite this and as we go into the second corner of the chicane I manage to exchange positions with Lewis just slightly and push down on the accelerator, just losing the rear briefly before I snap back but clearly Lewis is experiencing similar issues as I am and we are both left with tyres in similar conditions. I push down fully on the accelerator as we head for the line side by side and we're both clicking and pressing different buttons in the desperate hope of somehow finding extra horsepower that will push us over the line to victory. 

But I have something that Lewis doesn't have as we sprint towards the finish line. 

DRS.

After being a pain in my backside the entire race I received the advantage as I moved my front wheels just ahead of his and we cross the line, the flag waving to let us know that we are done. I see the arms of all Red Bull and Mercedes staffers as they wave Lewis and me over the line and as we continue down the straight both of us pulling to the side to get out of the way of cars still racing a wide smile comes over my face as I can't believe what I've just done. 

"FUCK! FUCK! FUCCCKKKK! WHAT DID WE JUST DO?" I yell down the radio as the adrenaline hits once more and I realise what's just happened, taking my hands off the wheel down the next straight as I bring my hands to my head in disbelief before replacing one on the wheel and lifting the other to wave to the fans. 

"ELODIE CARTER YOU ARE A WORLD CHAMPION! You did it!" I hear Christian's voice over the line and I whoop back down the line. 

"Oh my god...I can't, I don't even know what to say. Fuck! I wanted to be cool and collected but I'm just a blubbering mess!" I tell them down the radio as Lewis brings his car alongside me and gives me a thumbs up which I return and wave at him, smiling so wide underneath my helmet I think my face might break.

"You did it, you absolute legend. Thanks from all of us here at the team but me specifically. It's been an absolute honour to work with you this season, you are something else. You did it! History-making, record-breaking season Elodie! No one deserves this season's title more!" This time it's Dani down the line and the tears really are coming from my eyes as the road ahead begins to blur and I slow right down noticing some marshals standing with a flag at the side. I reach over the halo before driving off, noticing it's a bi-pride flag, with a female gender symbol in the very centre and I wave it above my head smiling and crying lightly down the radio. "Twenty-one podiums you psychopath, nine wins and a whopping 463 points. You have been on another level all season and I can't think of anyone that has ever been more deserving of a World Driver's Championship title. Thank you, this has been truly amazing to be a part of and I say that on behalf of not just the team but all the women in the paddock and those watching in the stands and at home on the TV, you've changed the world." Dani finishes and I take another victory lap, putting the flag down as I make my way onto the straight, Lewis in front of me and Max behind and we seem to all have the same thought process as we begin to rev our engines and spin the car in doughnuts, not minding in any way shape or form that we are causing heavy fines for our teams. 

"I want to thank everyone. At the factory and the track for all the support, I would never have been able to do this without the efforts of everyone that helped create every single piece of this car and run it each weekend. Thanks for giving me such a good car, for believing in me and yeah. I know this is the driver's championship title but it wouldn't be possible without the team. Also a huge thank you to Seb and Max, both of whom have helped so much. I could go on all day with thanks but I think people know. Also Mercedes, for supporting me to F1 and for letting me move into Red Bull. It was a fantastic fight this season and I love them for it! Thanks, everyone." I say as I stop my car from spinning and find myself driving out of the smoke and meeting Lewis whose car is facing mine rather dramatically.