Sparks - Daniel Ricciardo

Twenty Nine

📍12th December 2021 - Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi

As the fireworks coloured the sky, celebrating one of the most elaborate and exciting races to decide who had become World Champion, Max Verstappen stood gloriously on the top position of the podium box, waving his trophy into the air. He'd done it.

Amber felt immense pride as she looked up towards the podium. Max had confined in her, not all too long ago, about his worries and woes which came with the crushing pressure set by his family and the Red Bull team. He'd also informed her that Christian had felt more like a supportive parent than his own father and that could be seen here tonight.

As champagne sprayed and the music blasted, the party to celebrate the end of the 2021 season was in full swing. Even though Daniel had only managed twelfth position, his grin didn't replicate this. He was massively smiling from ear to ear.

"If I can't do it, I'm happy he is." He told Amber as he wrapped his arm around her waist as they watched the Dutchman spray the golden alcoholic liquid over the other positions on the podium.

Daniel was overwhelming proud of his ex-teammate. He was more than a brother to Daniel than a friend and Amber had come to realise this over the past year. The midst of the chaos and the glory, Amber let out a sigh of relief as the year was drawing to a close.

Her position at the primary school had finished this week. Feeling emotions of sadness, she couldn't help but also feel a slight relief as she could now be with Daniel again; not having to worry about planning their next visits or working around a schedule.

For Daniel, he had an open diary until the end of January where he would be needed back in Woking to begin preparations for the next year. But, for now, that could be forgotten about for a short while.

Lando and Luisinha seemed to be in a magical place and Amber was equally as pleased to have some company during this race weekend as the paddock can be a lonely place when your other half is busy at work. Even though Francesca hadn't worked for McLaren for a short while, Amber found herself still looking for her in the crowds of the garage.

Francesca had returned home and had made arrangements with Michael so he could have more involvement with her pregnancy than what she was originally allowing him. After the altercation at the Christmas dinner, the pair had several discussions on how they wanted to tackle the next period of their lives, both agreeing that they needed to make some time together to figure things out.

However, Michael didn't have such luck with Connie. She wasn't prepared to be mixed with the mess that it would be if she continued to date Michael and even though this heavily disappointed both of them, they both knew that it was the right thing to do.

Underneath the night skies of the Yas Marina circuit, a brave face had also been worn by Amber. This morning, before the race had started, she had decided to take yet another pregnancy test, which revealed to be negative again. She couldn't rack her head around what she was doing wrong, so she had booked to see a gynaecologist as soon as they were expected in Perth.

But for now, the whole pomp and ceremony of the evening was acting as a useful distraction to take her mind away from it all. Daniel didn't know she'd tested negative again and she hadn't planned on telling him. Not tonight, anyways.

"Two vodka and cokes, please." Amber asked the bartender over the incredibly loud music playing in the paddocks club area. The whole circuit had been transformed for the evening, the whole party now hosted especially for Max. This was his night and we were all here to relish in his formidable glory.