The Limit (Sebastian Vettel)

47. There and Back Again

In the end it took Lily over a week to feel better.  The team even arranged for her to have a private Covid test, which had thankfully come back negative. She'd just been unlucky and not bounced back as quick as Seb had.

He felt guilty, she knew that. He kept texting her to see how she was, and he'd even sent her a giant bouquet of flowers.

Now, finally recovered, she'd arrived in Melbourne ready for the 2020 season to get started.

Unfortunately she and Seb were staying in different hotels, which meant it was going to be almost impossible for them to meet up. She guessed they'd have to wait another week until they arrived in Bahrain.

Arriving at the track on the Thursday morning for media day there was an extremely odd atmosphere.

The Covid situation had begun to worsen, with more and more cases reported by the second.

As she neared the Haas hospitality building she heard Seb calling her name. She stopped and turned around. He was approaching her, wearing a team jacket and his team cap.

"Hey, how are you feeling?"

"All good now," she told him.

"That's good to hear. I feel awful about it."

"Don't worry, you weren't to know you were going to fall ill. And at least it wasn't Covid."

"That's true. I must admit I'm starting to worry about it now. I didn't expect it to spread globally as fast as it has."

"Yeah. It's worrying me too."

"I've heard rumours that McLaren have had to get some of their people tested."

"Shit. Let's hope it's just that shitty cold we had."

"Seb! You coming or what?"  Lily looked around and saw Lewis waiting patiently for Seb.

"I'll have to go Schatz.  Press conference.   I'll text you later yeah?"

"Sure."

Lily went into Haas hospitality and headed for her driver room.  She had half an hour before she was due at her press
conference and she wanted to speak with Ashleigh about how honest to be if she was asked her opinion on whether they should be racing in Melbourne. 

She didn't think they should be, but Formula 1 might not like that answer.

It turned out that Max wasn't as diplomatic about it as she was.   When asked, he told them bluntly that no, they should not be racing.   Kimi, Esteban and Lily had all nodded their agreement. 

The day continued like any other media day, but with the rumours building up speed.  Just what was the situation at McLaren?  Even their drivers didn't seem to know. 

As Luca was driving Lily back to the hotel the situation was clarified.   Lily's phone beeped with a text message from Guenther. 

Guenther:   McLaren have withdrawn.  They've had a positive test.  Likely that it will all be cancelled but yet to be confirmed

"Shit!" 

"What's up?" Luca asked.

"McLaren have pulled out.  They've had a positive case.  Guenther thinks the race might be cancelled."

"Jesus!"

Arriving at the hotel, Lily headed straight to her room, taking the stairwell so she wasn't confined in the elevator with loads of others. 

Once laid on her bed she texted Seb.

Lily:  did you hear the news? X

Seb:  yeah.  Should never have let us fly out here, but as Lewis said, cash is king! X