Sparks - Daniel Ricciardo

Thirty Five

📍8th May 2022 - Miami, USA

The warm temperatures were blazing over the sunshine state as the teams prepared their cars for the upcoming afternoon race.

Amber stood in the garage with a mini fan to allow a margin of cool breeze to pass through her hair. Usually, she'd love to be hot, but today she felt gross. The temperatures were only increasing and it wasn't the normal dry heat she preferred. It was humid and sticky.

She smiled over at Max as he wore an ice vest. His face appeared flushed as he also stood around a fan in the corner of the garage to remain cool. Kelly hadn't come down from the hotel as she informed us that Penelope was becoming hot and bothered, opting to keep her in the cool air conditioned rooms.

"I feel gross." Amber complained as she stood next to Michael as they both watched the formation lap go ahead.

As soon as the lights went out, Daniel had a terrific start as he pushed past the likes of Lando and Alex, gaining ahead almost immediately as the Red Bull charged passed.

By lap ten, Daniel had already gained six places from where he had originally started on the grid. He hadn't had a very successful qualifying session, leaving him to start in eleventh place.

Now in fifth, Daniel was fast approaching his teammate who was currently holding second place. To everyone's surprise, Ferrari were sitting in pole position with Charles fighting off anyone who dared to steal his position. And best believe, Max tried.

Weaving and whirling around, Max couldn't find grip to be able to overtake Charles, even when DRS was enabled and the Red Bull had more power than the Ferrari. No matter what Max did, Charles held on by the skin of his teeth.

After some near miss incidents, Charles raced into turn  eleven as his tyres gripped on for dear life. Max and the Red Bull team knew Charles had to pit soon; his tyres practically melting with the blazing heat which hit the circuit.

Amber watched intently as the Ferrari was soon called into pit. The sea of orange erupted in cheers for Max as he sped past the grand stands, taking pole as Charles hoped for a quick box.

Daniel managed to over take Charles at this point as he held second place. The claps and cheers within the Red Bull garage roared as the team now held first and second.

Charles popped back out in third as his car hurtled towards Daniel's, hoping to claim back what he believed to be rightfully his. A race win.

Even though Amber liked Charles and wanted him to do well, she wanted every other driver to smash their car into the wall. Right now, she only wanted Daniel to cross that finish line, preferably in pole.

More rounds of applause sounded in the garage as Daniel had now picked up fastest lap as his name turned purple on the screen. Amber clapped along as she happily bounced next to Michael and Blake as they all practically held their breath to see the outcome of this afternoon.

Amber held her headphones over her ears as she listened carefully to the instructions which had been passed over to Daniel by Gianpiero. He informed the Australian that Max was forming a very strong lead to this race and he should hold back in second place whilst Max took the victory.

"Christian, why should I remain here?" Daniel's shaky voice asked over the radio. "I have the power to over take."

"This isn't a fight, Daniel. Remain in P2." Christian ordered as Daniel shook his head and lightly slammed his first against the steering wheel.