behind cameras- c.l

eight

George and I arrive late to dinner, where Oscar, Lando, Alex, Lily, Daniel and Heidi are already sat, snacking on olives. George and I may or may not have been delayed by a spider on the car window.

"Oh my god, you're finally here." Lily says, standing up to welcome us. "Come, get comfy." She shoves Alex over to make room for us.

It's a small-ish table, tucked away in the corner of a hotel restaurant, which Lando had sworn on his life did the best curry he'd ever had. We sat down and started helping ourselves to drinks and snacks, letting Lando order for us when the waitress arrived.

I'm sat between George and Oscar, and I turn to talk to the Australian driver, who I'm yet to get to know well. "Hey, how are you feeling after qualifying?" I ask.

He pulls a face. "P9. Not what I wanted, at all, but it's not bad for a start in F1."

I clap my hands together. "Of course! It's your rookie season! How's it been so far, then?"

He laughs. "This feels like an interview."

"It's not, it's not, I promise. Look, I'll ask a question and then you ask?"

He smiles. "Sure. I'll go first."

"Shoot."

"What's going on between you and George?"

I throw my head back, laughing. "George? Oh God, no. We became friends, like yesterday. It's definitely nothing like that."

Oscar surveys me skeptically. "Mhm. Okay, your turn."

I ponder. "Who do you think is Max's biggest competitor this year?"

Oscar laughs again. "Very professional questions. Okay. Let me think." He pauses, closing his eyes to asses the options. "It's gotta be between Lewis and Charles, I think. If Ferrari can get their game together."

My eyebrows shoot up. "Leclerc? Really?" Oscar nods.

"Yeah. He had a great last season, second in the championship I think. If he can get a good car, Ferrari have a champion on their hands."

"You phrase it so well, I almost wish this was on the record."

Oscar laughs. "Hey, anytime, just come find me at the paddock and I'll say some shit on camera."

"That's a very generous offer." I remark. "I actually think I'm due to see both you and Lando soon-ish. We want to cover the start of your rookie season mostly. We don't know how the rest of the season will shape up yet, so starting with a newbie is always good content."

Oscars raises his eyebrows. "Very professional."

I shrug. "I want this job. I care about it, a lot."

"Fair enough. So, tell me what Alex was like growing up." There's a gleam in his eye and I take inspiration from it, launching into an animated story of Alex and I as children.

~

The night wraps up fairly early, with none of the drivers wanting to risk staying out late and compromising sleep the night before a big race.

Alex and Lily opt to head back at around 9:00, but I stay out a bit longer with the McLaren boys, laughing and drinking (only me and Daniel drinking enough to actually get tipsy, though).

By the time 10:30 rolls around, Oscar is shooing me out, telling me kindly to get home and rest, like him and Lando would and should be doing. Daniel salutes me as I leave, still throwing back shots, as he would not have to be driving tomorrow, as a reserve driver.