REMEMBER THE NAME

2019:28

"Hey, Daniil." Sophie runs through the paddock after she catches a glimpse of the Russian driver in his Toro Rosso cap and polo. "Is it alright if we grab a quick chat." She was slightly out of breath as she reached him, panting lightly and receiving weird looks from his team.

"Of course." He smiles. "Do you want to do it whilst walking or to take a seat? We have the press conference together in an hour but I'm free until then."

"I'm fine to keep walking." She nods as the begin their walk down the paddock. "And that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about."

Sophie begins to rub her hands together nervously, a trait that she's picked up for when she feels anxious yet hadn't even realised. She wasn't a fan of confrontation, especially for with the Russian driver who she wasn't that close with.

"I'm really sorry about the media spiral. When I got in my car I had no clue that they were there - I even checked around but couldn't see any photographers. I should've been smarter and just held it until I got to my hotel. I didn't even think that they would come up with that conclusion even though I knew you were staying there. It's just there was a few of us talking about Anthoine so having other drivers there I thought I would've been safer. Sorry, I'm rambling, but I'm just very sorry you've been dragged in to my mess." She begins to overshare, feeling embarrassed in the process.

"It's fine." He pats her shoulder with a smile. "The media can be arseholes."

"That's the understatement of the century." She laughs, feeling some of the pressure lift off of her shoulders. "I'm guessing some of the press will also ask questions about it today since we've been put for the same interview. I know Debbie has spoken with Toro Rosso and the plan is to just give them short answers and say that's not what the situation was about."

"Eh, if they ask me I'll just tell them to fuck off. They need to learn to step away from our private lives."

"I wish I could do that." She whispers truthfully.

"I can do it since I'm taking a step back from Formula 1, they can't attack the player if he isn't in the game." He smiles.

"I'm also sorry about taking your seat." Sophie looks up to him.

"Don't be, that's just Formula 1. You need to do what you need to do to survive. And anyway, it lets me spend some time with Penelope. I want to be a good dad for her." A soft smile comes upon his face at the thought of his baby girl who was only a few months old.

"How is she?" Sophie smiles as well.

"Oh she's great." He stops walking and turns to face her. "She's so sweet and cheeky. Let me quickly show you a picture." He fumbles in his pockets before picking out his phone and scrolling through it, turning it around to show Sophie the tiny baby.

"Oh she's adorable." Sophie swoons. "I hope when she's big enough, you bring her to some races. I would love to meet her."

"I think we're going to wait a while. I'll need to get her some headphones because I don't want her ears to get damaged with all of the loud noises. And it's a bit hectic and I don't want her to stress." Daniil goes in to full dad mode which warms Sophie's heart. Although she had never been close with the Russian, she could easily see how much his little girl meant to him.

"Sorry to interrupt." The pair look towards the voice of the Monegasque Ferrari driver who has just approached them in his team top and a pair of jeans. "Could I quickly borrow Sophie?"

Sophie turns to Daniil who just nods his head, locking his phone and putting it back in his pocket. "I'll see you at the press conference." Sophie waves as he turns to catch up with his team.