Getaway Car

Chapter Seventeen

Silverstone Grand Prix Week

Katherine POV

"Simon, I'm fine. Okay, you said you checked everything yourself. I'll be okay,"

"Are you sure because it was a bad crash? You're lucky you weren't seriously injured,"

"I'm okay. I'm not missing my home race," he smiles, patting me on the back.

I had media duties before the race started.

"Katherine, nice to see you again," I smile.

"You haven't won your home race before. Do you think that today will change that?"

"I can't say for certain that I'll win the race, but my pace has been good this season, so I think I'd be able to give it a good shot,"

"That's what we like to hear. Your father is in the Paddock today. How do you feel knowing he'll be watching," I fake a smile.

"It's always great to have him in the Paddock,"

"Does it put any pressure on you," I shake my head.

"No, I don't like to focus on the outside world when I'm driving. it's just me and the track,"

"We have to ask you, and Lando came public with your relationship due to recent pictures. we want to know what happened there," fake it till you make it.

"Me and Lando were in a relationship, but we sadly called that quits before these pictures were released. There's nothing more to it, really," I was ushered on by Claire.

"You did well,"

"Thank you,"

~~~~~~

I walk through the paddock and see Lando with Daniel and Max, who turn to look at me. I act like i didn't see them.

"Katherine," I freeze, making eye contact with Max before I turn around.

"Dad,"

"Saw your interview,"

"I couldn't tell them the truth it shocked me to hear you were here,"

"Williams asked if I'd join you know the team you left,"

"Yeah, I know," i shake my head, "left it for a reason. At least I'm now with a team that knows what to do with a skilled driver,"

"I made you a skilled driver,"

"You didn't make me anything. I did this myself, and with the help of Red Bull,"

"I still can't believe you moved to them,"

"I'm not doing this with you again," I turn to walk away.

"Always walking away from your problems,"

"Stop acting like you know me," I raise my voice. "we haven't spoken in over a year. You didn't even call me. When I came second in the championship, mum did, and you sat right next to her. You just upset thet I proved you wrong and did better than you ever thought I'd do," I take a breath "I'm done living in your shadow," I turn away and walk past the boys.

~~~~~~

"Katherine?" I turn to see Mick.

"I saw what happened with your dad,"

"I think a lot of people did," he smiles and pulls me in for a hug.

"We aren't our fathers. We have nothing to prove, and you certainly don't," I smile at him.

"I don't know why I'm still trying to prove I'm good enough to him,"

"Race is about to start. Show him how good you are and win this,"

"I will," I grab my helmet, making my way over to my garage.

"You ready?" Simon asks.

"I'm gonna win this thing,"

~~~~~~~

"Katherine Button wins the British Grand Prix"

"That's P1," I hear Simon say over the radio

"Get in," I laugh out

"You're now in the lead for the championship," I park up, hopping out of the car and running to my team.

Christian comes over to me, giving me a big hug.

"You proved him wrong, Kate," I smile.

"Thank you," he kisses the top of my head, and I turn around Max, picking me up and spinning me.

"I'm glad you didn't let whatever he said get to you,"

"I told you I leave that behind," he puts me down.

"Go get your trophy," I smile at him.

I walk to the cool down room.

"Little Leclerc," I hug him. "Congratulations on your first podium,"

"Thank you. I didn't think I would do it," We look at the screen.

"You overtook Max last corner," I pat him on his back.

"Arthur congrats, man," Lando says, patting his back as he takes his seat.

Arthur looks at me, and I shrug he gets up and pretends to take a call.

"Congratulations on your win,' Lando speaks.

"Thanks," I let out, he touched my hand, sqeezing it, and then let's go as Arthur's name gets called to the podium.

As I walked out, taking my place on podium, I looked at the crowd. My father was there, and he wasn't smiling her wasn't even looking. I look to my team and smile as I see Christian cheering for me and taking a photo.

I had always looked up to my father. I never thought our relationship would end up like this. Christian had always been there for me and supported me. Even when I was at Williams, he would always check in on me.

Christian puts his thumbs up at me and nods. I return it. My father looks between the two of us with an unknown look on his face.