AND IT CONTINUES - Max Verstappen

28

"Seriously? Again?" Daniella's voice sounded defeated on the radio.

One bad pit stop and coming out wheel to wheel with the Williams cost her another race. Her car is now against the barricade with some major damage. The Williams of George Russell was only a meter away from her, his wheels stuck in the gravel. He thought there was a chance for him to rejoin the race but he was wrong.

Daniella got out of the car as the marshalls ran towards the scene. She didn't see the smoke coming out of her car at first but when she did she immediately moved away and let the marshalls take care of it.

George got out of his car as well, feeling frustrated. Before the race, he made up his mind that he is not going to ruin Daniella's race purposely like he did in the past but as soon as he saw her car he lost control, and now he has ruined his own race as well.

"You really want me to die, huh?" Daniella asked coldly, not expressing any anger.

George couldn't reply or even apologize. She walked away and waited for the crane to load her car as the safety car came out.

***

Daniella forced a small polite smile as she stood in front of the reporter, a few cameras facing her. She already knew what questions were going to be thrown at her.

"Daniella, hello. How are you feeling?" The reporter asked.

"Not great," The driver replied truthfully. "It's been a good week and we thought we could get a double podium because our strategy was working and then the incident in lap 35 happened."

"Do you think it was a racing incident?"

"Do you?" Daniella shot a crooked challenging smile.

"I mean, it seems like George is still mad at you and I don't blame him but..."

"So you are saying it was not a racing incident?" Daniella challenged the reporter.

"Umm.. No, yes.. No," The reporter let out a nervous laugh. "I just want to know what you feel about it."

"Doesn't matter how I feel," Daniella shrugged like it was no big deal. "This is not the first time George and I collided and something tells me it's not going to be the last, and to be honest I am used to it by now," she gave a small smile.

"Have you talked to him after the race?"

"No."

"Okay, thank you very much for your time," The reporter smiled, but a little bit disappointed she didn't get any internal details.

Daniella gave a nod and moved away so another driver could take her place.

"Good race today, Dani," Lando sarcastically said as he gave her shoulder a squeeze.

"Go to hell, Norris," Daniella pushed him away, making him laugh.

"Language!" Sebastian warned the Mercedes driver as he walked by.

"Don't listen to him," Fernando chipped in. "Next time just attack George first and get him off the track before he gets any chance to ruin your race," He advised the younger driver. "You will get a fie or ten second time penalty but it's no big deal."

Daniella had an amused look on her face, shocked by the advice, but it did sound tempting. Fernando can tell she was really considering it.

"Yeah, no," Lewis came over. "You are the last person she needs to take advice from."

"Just talk to George," Sebastian joined again. Daniella didn't know who to listen to. "Communication is the key."

"But.."