GRIDLOCK - Lando Norris [BOOK 1 Gridlock Series]

32

Practise yesterday, I felt like the top teams were really holding their cards close to their chest. Both RedBull and McLaren weren't pushing the limit and Max and Lando barely left their garages during practise and I could see the knowing looks passing from Zak to Christian.

As I watch everyone arrive at qualifying, the tension in the air is thick and everyone has their game face on.

I grab an iced latte from the coffee van and make my way down to RebBull. As I walk towards the l garage, every team has their game face on, the camera crew and reporters are frantic running from garage to garage to get their stories.

"Morning" I announce to Johan as I hand him a fresh bottle of water, I know he'd prefer the coffee, but I think every member of RedBull doesn't even want to look at Christian the wrong way today, or give him any reason for him to blame them for anything going wrong.

"Please let this weekend be over already" he groans.

I chuckle and take my seat down on one of the stools in front of the monitors. Mothers penetrating voice screeching over any mechanical tool in the shed.

"Max!" She sings out.

Max pops his head over the cockpit and gives me a look of desperation before facing her direction and flagging her down.

"Oh honey, have you eaten?" She gushes, I shake my head in humour.

"Before, yes" he answers, struggling to conceal his tone.

"Okay, qualifying starts in" she pauses as she checks her designer watch, "2 hours, do you want me to grab you something from the cafe?"

Max and I exchange a quick look to which an entire conversation takes place.

"I'm fine, thankyou"

Mother exits out the back of the garage with of flick of her hair, "I'm not hungry, thanks" I call out I sarcastically.

Johan, Max and a few others chuckle at my comment.

"Come on you" Max mutters, stepping out of the cockpit and making his way toward me.

We make our way out the front of the garage and down the pit lane to make our way out onto the track.

Max likes to stand on the straight before every race and just, be. He looks around at the grandstands which will soon be filled with thousands of fans, the starting grid which will be filled with the other 19 drivers. He just likes to take it in.

"Feeling good?" I ask him as we make our way out.

"Yeah" he breathes, inhaling deeply and placing his hands behind his head. "Have to, don't I" he chuckles.

I look over at him for a moment, "No" I disagree, "you don't have to be"

He doesn't look at me, but I watch as he swallows intensely.

"Final race" he announces, "final race" repeated more under his breath this time.

He's pacing around the start/finish line, and circles around behind me.

I stay silent for a moment, see if he says what's really on his mind.

"Ev?" He mumbles and I can hear his feet have halted.

I turn my attention around to him, but he's got his back to me, looking down to turn 1.

"What happens if he beats me?"

I slowly walk around so that I end up in front of him, "What happens if he doesn't" I say knowingly.

It takes him a moment before he will let his eyes meet mine. But he doesn't respond.

"What are you more afraid of?" I ask him, "Not winning? Or having him beat you?"

"I don't care if I don't win" he begins, "I worry what will happen if he wins, and he thinks, he succeeded" he looks me dead in the eye and I finally understand what he means.

"The game?" I ask

He nods and my heart sinks.

"He did all that, and hurt you, and the plan was to mess with me, what if, he succeeds" he confesses.

"Hey" I try and comfort, "don't even let any of that worry you, you go out there, and you drive, just drive, take one turn at a time, one lap at a time, one driver at a time" I place both my hands on his shoulders, "it doesn't matter who crosses the line first, he didn't succeed"

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P1: Max Verstappen.

Max is on pole position for tomorrows final race and the only thing it seemed to do is raise the tension.

I guess it's what they always say, it's hard getting to the top, it's even harder to stay there.

Max was in the lead going into tomorrow's race and RedBull was determined to keep it that way.

One more race, one more fight. That's all he has to do. One more.

We are currently at the bar of the hotel, having a few drinks and some food before tomorrow. Max is obviously strictly on water, and I saw his interaction with Christian earlier as Christian tapped at his watch, alerting Max to be heading off to bed soon.

As if almost instantly, Max begins the rounds of saying goodbye to people who offer their wishful wells before joining our table last.

"Bedtime for me" he sings out as he wraps his arms around one of Johan's shoulders and the other around mine.

"Teachers pet" Johan teases earning him a solid punch on his arm.

"Night" I announce as he waves us off.

"How is he?" Andy asks me.

I place my wine down, and shuffle uncomfortably in my seat. Respecting Max's privacy and vulnerability, but also, acknowledging his humanity. "He's doing okay" I begin, "nervous, obviously, but he's okay"

"Just okay?" Andy asks.

I nod in agreement as I take another mouthful of wine, loving the fruity taste it's left on my lips, "Yep"

"He really needs to bring it" Johan comments, Leaving the table to get us all another round of drinks.

"Ev" Andy mumbles whilst we are alone. "How's Lando?"

His question takes me back, people still associate Lando with me, and I don't know if I like it or not.

I shrug my shoulders, "I'm not sure" I look him dead in the eye, "I really don't know"

"I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be difficult for RedBull" he comments in all seriousness. "But very good for McLaren" he adds.

I'm not given a chance to respond, as Johan has returned and is sliding the beers in front of he and Andy and another wine in front of me.

I make eye contact with Andy quickly, a sense of seriousness and fear spread across his face.

I haven't been able to let myself come to terms with his statement, much so because I agree. And I've thought it since Lando came back from recovery.

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Only 1 more chapter to go :) I've really liked writing this story and see potential for a sequel. What do you think?

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