sparks fly | m.verstappen

one

I. Media Day

SILVERSTONE: July 2023

After being briefed by Clara and Christian, Daniel and Max waited for their turn for the interviews. Max was more observant that day seeing as the PR Relationship for Daniel was being planned.

"Alright boys, your turns." Clara said and led them to the area. Max was used to it already seeing as he had been since a young age, but there was something different for this season.

He wasn't as excited and open in interviews like he used to. He had promised himself to put up a barrier when it came to that, which was why he was so thankful that Clara was accepted for the job. His best friend was always there to keep him calm.

Max moved from one reporter to another until he reached the last one; Evangeline Mendoza. The newest senior F1 Journalist to join the season. She was nice, pretty, and definitely knew what she was doing. But then again, Max just wanted to keep the answers short.

"How are you Max?" Evangeline asked. Max chuckled and shrugged, "Good, very excited for this race. I know a whole lot of teams have their own updates..." Max kept the interview solely focused on the race, the season and nothing too personal.

He had avoided things like this which Evangeline had to learn the hard way. When she tried to divert the topic from his win in Saudi she was shut down. Not by his PR manager but by the driver himself.

She had assessed the situation multiple times but Lissie had advised her not to think too much about it and that Max was generally like that. But Evangeline cannot help but feel curious about the Dutch driver.

Evangeline had watched old videos of interviews with him but it seems as years pass he had changed on how he was in press conferences and interviews. She just thought that maybe he got so used to it that it was becoming the norm.

But that didn't stop her from trying, "Anything else you want to share for this race Max?"

And like usual, Max smiled and shrugged, "We'll just see I guess." That was a sign for Evangeline to finish the interview. She smiled, her dimple showing and it was like at the sight Max smiled wider and nodded, "Thank you Max."

And with that he left. In his spot was Lando and it was as if the air changed. Max heard the loud interaction the two had and he couldn't help but look back. Was is it really that different?

"Staring at Evangeline again Max?" Daniel's voice pulled him away from the trance of the sight of the reporter laughing at Lando's answer. He shook his head and turned to his teammate, "Will you stop that?"

The two walked to where Clara was waiting with the PR staff. "When will you actually grow balls and try to actually loosen up with her?" he asked.

But Max shook his head, "Why would I?" "Uh, tell me how will you describe Evangeline?" Daniel asked. The two drivers stopped walking and stared at each other.

Max thought about it, "She's good at her job, pretty-" "Ha! So you admit she's pretty!" Daniel cut him off. The Dutch driver rolled his eyes, "Yes but she's the same as the others, pretty and good." he said.

Daniel scoffed, "Yeah and yet you couldn't stop staring at Lando and her laughing." he said. "Who's Lando annoying?" Clara asked.

The drivers jumped at the sudden presence of their PR Manager. "Geez, give us a heart attack Maevy." Max said. Clara crossed her arms, "Who are you being mean to Maxie?" she asked.

"Evangeline." Daniel simply said with a shrug. The girl gasped dramatically, "Not the reporter you have been staring at for the whole season."

Max, done with the antics scoffed and walked away, "I missed when you guys weren't plotting against me."

"Boohoo suck my ass!" Daniel yelled making Max laugh and flip him off as he continued walking away.

Yet, the sight and memory of Lando and Evangeline laughing filled his head.