One Day // Daniel Ricciardo

Chapter 35

The pitter patter of tiny feet came like a heard of mini elephants through the hotel suite. Hallie, followed by her two older cousins came running through giggling.

"I don't know about you but I'm sweating, I don't know how they do it." Sarah sighed, wiping her forehead and fanning herself down. The Abu Dhabi heat was getting to us all, except the kids.

The rest of Daniel's family flew out to Abu Dhabi to meet us. Since they met, Hallie adored her older cousins and trying to pull her away from them was close to impossible without a tantrum following. They were still too big for her to play with properly but she just ran after them and found it to be the best thing ever.

"We should head down to the track now, Mum and Dad are already there."

We collected the kids, allowed Hallie to have he tantrum until she realised everyone was standing behind her and there was no need. She looked adorable with her little sun hat, dress and paddock pass clipped round her neck.

When we arrived at the paddock and saw Danny she squealed with delight. He hugged both of us and took Hallie from me. "Think she's big enough to drive yet?" He laughed, sitting her in his race car.

I always hated the constant paparazzi around but had grown to accept it was just part of it. One of the photographers took a picture of us with Hallie sitting in the car and, in fairness, would probably be the one picture I loved. She looked so happy sitting in it, I took a picture on my own phone of both of them.

"Jess! It's so good to see you, I'm glad you came out today." Zak Brown called, walking I've to me from the other side of the crowded garage.

"Hi Zak." I answered.

"Jess be nice."

"I can't be nice, it's not in my remit."

"How have you been?"

"Let's cut the small talk, what's been going on?" I snapped.

"It's not been announced yet Jess, I can understand your frustration but that's just the nature of the job even you know that."

"A signed contract until 2024 should mean a signed contract until 2024, not a contract until someone new and mouldable comes along. At the end of the season too? It leaves no scope for Daniel to find another seat, even you know that."

"I understand the frustration, I really really do and I've apologised many times to Daniel. We just had to do what was best for the team, unfortunately the car doesn't suit Daniel and that's unfortunate for us."

"I'm not going to make a scene but I'm glad I'm not part of the team anymore, I don't like what you've done and I think you've made a massive mistake."

I could see Tom standing in the garage, watching our encounter and I just wanted to leave as soon as possible.

I lifted Hallie from the car and kissed Daniel's cheek, "smash it out there, I'll be looking forward to the donuts at the end. Make it count!"

He was super emotional about his last race but I tried not to make a deal of it until it was over. I knew he needed to concentrate.

By the time I made it back to his family, he was doing a media interview that was being broadcasted on all the TVs around us.

"Unfortunately I won't be driving for McLaren next year, I was supposed to stay until 2024 but unfortunately the cars just not been for me, I haven't been performing well, it's had its effects on the team and it's had its effects on me. I think we all made the right decision!all be it a sad one, to call it quits and move on to some better things for now."