Lights Out and Away We Go | LN4 - LH44 - MS47

Chapter 2

Moni quickly collected her things and climbed out of her car. When she left McLaren it had been gloomy out, but an hour north at Silverstone a light rainfall greeted her. 

"Fuck," she mumbled, realizing she had failed to bring an umbrella or rain jacket. She tucked her long brown hair behind her ears and made her way towards the spanning Silverstone Wing, rushing in hopes to not get too wet. She was immediately greeted inside by hordes of Mercedes employees hustling back and forth, no doubt in preparation for the test runs about to take place. Walking into the facility Moni was taken aback at the emptiness of the building during the off season, used to seeing the facility only during the British Grand Prix. As she followed posted signage pointing her towards the Mercedes garage and hospitality area she quickly saw a tall, blonde figure coming towards her.

"Moni!" a soft German voice called out.

"Mick!" she exclaimed, running towards the driver and throwing her arms around him. He was clad head to toe in Mercedes gear, topped off with a long, black Mercedes rain coat. 

"I'm so glad you were able to make it," Mick returned the gesture. "The car is looking amazing, the tests are going to be great to watch." Moni gently pulled away from Mick, squeezing the side of his arm as the two smiled at each other.

"Me too, really. And it's going to be so great to get away from McLaren for a while, I swear if I have to look at any more orange my head is going to explode." He quip prompted a small chuckle from Mick.

"Here, follow me, I'll take you down to the garage and pit wall." Mick began to walk through the building, beckoning Moni after him. She scurried after him.

"You're sure that it's okay, right? That I watch? I don't want any issues, you know, the whole 'daughter of McLaren CEO' thing isn't an issue?"

"Don't worry, I cleared it with Toto first, you're fine." Moni smiled at Mick but couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety in her chest, knowing her presence was a bit of a faux paus. The two walked together through the large, permanent installation and downstairs to the level of the garages. Mick led Moni to the Mercedes garage where hordes of people circulated around the teams two cars, both parked in their respective spots. As her eyes panned the scene she spotted a few familiar faces, most notably that of Toto Wolff, the team's principal, who stood a few feet back overlooking the organized chaos. Notably absent were the team's two drivers, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who were seemingly not yet needed in the garage.

"The black livery is sooooo slick," Moni cooed to Mick, bobbing her head up and down as she tried to get a better look at the car.

"Isn't it great?" he answered, his height allowing him a much more advantageous perspective.

"Do you think you'll get track time this year?" Moni asked, shifting her gaze back up towards the reserve driver.

"I think there's something in the works for after Barcelona. I mean I'd love to spend as much time in this car, on the track, as I can, but I'm obviously not hoping there's any reason Lewis or George can't race."

"Don't worry Mickky, I'm sure you'll be back full time soon," Moni said, punching his arm. He grinned but his eyes told her he wasn't so sure that he would be. It made her heart hurt. Beyond being one of her best friends, Mick was a phenomenal driver, and he deserved to be on a team. Especially one that respected him and fought for him. Sadly, Haas wasn't that. "So how long until y'all get this show on the road?" Mick laughed at her American jargon. She wasn't from the south and if anything she had picked up the slightest tinge of a British accent during her adolescence, but she had happily added 'y'all' to her vernacular when she was at school. Mick always bullied her a bit for using it.