𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 ~ | 𝘔𝘢𝘹 𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯

002 || Rookie

"That's P2 Sabri!" Sam yelled excitedly over the radio. I pumped my fist happily. The car had run smoothly, and I had missed Hamilton by only 0.023 seconds.

"Whoooo! Great result for tomorrow! Thanks to the team!" I said back. I couldn't stop grinning as I pulled up behind the number two sign and clambered out of my car. I pumped my fins in the ari again before jumping down and going to take off my helmet. I had gotten P2 AND outqualified Verstappen. I quickly hopped onto the scale after Lewis. Everything was going my way. Until it wasn't.

"And- Oh no! I have just been told that our new rookie, Sabrina Hawke, has received a five-place grid penalty."Crofty's voice came over the speakers.

I froze.

That's not true. Right?

I turned around, trying to find someone I could ask. Sam was pushing his way to the front of the crowd behind the barrier. I jogged over to him.

"What the fuck is he talking about, Sammy?" I asked urgently.

"Max reported you for impeding him on turn four. I saw it, but I didn't think it was enough to get you a penalty. Especially that severe." He shook his head. I let down my hair with a frustrated groan.

"That isn't fair! I got out of the way! He was the one who was trying to take the inside line. It should be him getting a penatly." I clenched my jaw, looking over at him as the Dutch driver jumped out of his car, a smirk plastered on his face. He and Lewis shook hands.

"I'm sorry, Sabri, but it's done. I can't do anything about it." He said it sadly. I drained my bottle of water. "But, hey, it just means you'll have to fight harder tomorrow. It's not over yet." He told me firmly.

"I know." I gave him a small smile. I glanced over at Max, who was now doing his interview. "I'm going to kill him." I muttered with a scowl.

"What was that?" Sam ran a hand through his golden brown hair with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm going to talk to him." I replied innocently. He started to say something, but I walked away. I sat on the front tier of my car while I waited for Max to finish. I traced patterns on the rubber absentmindedly.

"Hey." A voice made me look up. It was Lewis.

"Hi." I smiled and stood up.

"We haven't officially met. I'm Lewis." He said it with a friendly smile, holding out a hand. I grinned.

"I know. I used to watch you race when I was a kid." I smiled and shook it.

"I feel so old when people say that." He sighed.

"Don't say that. You are still pretty young." I said it quickly.

"I'm just messing with you." He laughed. I laughed nervously. It was strange and exciting to meet my idol after all this time.

"Thank god. Oh, sorry, I'm Sabrina." I smiled.

"I know. You are all anyone can talk about at the moment." He winked. I couldn't help but smile. "Sorry about the penalty, kid. I don't think you deserved that. Especially on your first race." He patted my shoulder. I thanked him.

"I'll just have to work harder tomorrow." I nodded.

"I like you." He nodded. I grinned.

"Not too bad, yourself," I replied. He laughed.

"Good luck tomorrow, kid. See you on track." He waved before walking away to talk to his strategist. I looked over to see Charles having an interview now. He must have qualified fourth. With my penalty moving up to third, I looked around for Max. I saw the back of his race suit disappear back into the garage. I hurried after him, my anger rising.

"Hey!" I yelled. He stopped and turned with a calm expression. His hair was sweaty, and he carried a Red Bull water bottle in one hand, the straw still in his mouth.

"What do you want, rookie?" He waited for me to stomp down the hall towards him, the straw dropping from his lips.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I asked angrily.

"Be more specific." He shrugged. I gritted my teeth.

"My penalty." I growled. "It was completely unfair. We both know I did nothing wrong."

"Yes, you did. We call what you did impeding. It is very much frowned upon in this sport and has consequences. Exhibit A." He told me.

I'm about to hurt this man.

My hands curled into tight fists, and my eyes burned.

"Don't fucking mansplain to me." I snapped.

"I'll do what I want." He snapped back. "I told you to stay out of my way, and you didn't. Karma's a bitch."

"I hope karma slaps you in the face before I do." I muttered.

"I miss Checo. He knew his place." He sniffed.

"Oh really? Then please tell me, your highness, where is my place?" I asked exaggeratedly.

"Behind me." He spat. I rolled my eyes.

"We'll just have to see about that tomorrow. When I win." I told him, trying to keep myself from wiping that challenging smirk off his face.

"Fine. We will see. When you lose, I take my sixth win in a row."