Roommates Mismatched: Lando Norris

Fifty

The past month, I stayed in Monaco with Lando while he trained for the next Formula One season. Most of the time we were either staying at home playing games or on his yacht, enjoying the warm weather together. Sometimes a few of our friends followed too but mostly when we just wanted to coverup we were spending time together. Though his fans like I said are great sleuths, they really were trying their very best to find some kind of solid evidence other than a few
pictures of me in the same place as him. I love the thrill honestly.

I smiled to myself from the thoughts of me and Lando. When the car pulled up at the circuit, the crowd were growing in size since today was finally the first 2023 race at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Going here without Lando, we were still keeping our distance in public. Dressed in a sleeveless knotted vest top and white linen pants and a pair of sandals, I climbed out of the car with a cream McLaren cap and my bag in hand.

Walking alone through the paddock, I stopped every now and then to say Hi to a few fans and posed for their cameras. "Bye!", I said softly to the two girls after a quick selfie. Coming up to the gate, I scanned my pass and went through. I passed the other team's garages until I got to McLaren's. Remembering a picture of Lando tapping the 'FOREVER FORWARD' sign above, I passed it then got through to the garage.

It was right before the race so it was quite busy in here. Seeing Jon near Lando's car, I went over him and hugged him to say Hello. He told me Lando was still doing press so I decided to wait here. "I came here for you, Jon", I joked making him laugh. Passing the time, I followed Jon around as he explained to me a bit about today's race.

"The weather is hot so we're quite worried with the tyres", he pointed out. Nodding my head, I listen closely, finally understanding more ever since Lando taught me a bit. At the other side of the garage came Oscar Piastri, Lando's new teammate. He noticed me so I decided to come over to say Hi.

He gave me side hug with a big smile and even introduced me to his girlfriend, Lily Zneimer. She was so sweet and bubbly. I engaged in a conversation with her until Lando came. He grinned widely when he same me. Excusing myself, I fight the urge to run into him.

For the next few minutes, his hands stayed on my waist for a bit while I tiptoed, my chin on his shoulder while he talked with Jon and Will. The other started his car's ignition to check before the race, the revving engine loud. He whispered a joke to my ear, making both of us grinned widely.

When it was time for the broadcast to start, I whispered a good luck to Lando then walked away to give him space to prepare himself. Going to the hospitality area real quick, I grabbed a bottle of water, waving to familiar faces at McLaren's crew members. Ever since Lando brought me to McLaren Technology Centre that one weekend in Woking before the race, he introduced me to almost everyone in the industry.

Now that I have a bottle of water in hand, I quickly jogged back to the garage, meeting Lily. We wore the headphone radios, watching the live broad play now that it's minutes till the race starts. I was busy talking to Lily that I noticed we were on the screen with the title "Quadrant member" and "Oscar's girlfriend" on it. Thankfully the camera went away before it got awkward for us.

The sound of roaring engines filled the air as the cars sped by on the track after the formation lap. It was a thrilling and intense atmosphere, with the energy of the race obvious all around. I felt a rush of excitement as I watched Lando's car approach the pit lane.

The pit crew sprang into action as the car pulled in for a pit stop, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as we saw Lando's team work with precision and speed.

Lando's car received a lightning-fast tire change, and as the seconds ticked by, I held my breath. When the McLaren car roared back onto the track, I let out a cheer, along with the rest of the McLaren team and fans in the pits.

Very soon the race was approaching the final lap, my eyes never straying far from Lando's point of view camera on the screen. I could feel the collective heartbeat of the McLaren team as we watched their driver battle on the track. The desert sun beat down, and the noise of the engines reverberated through the pits, but my attention was solely on Lando.

When the checkered flag finally waved, and Lando's car crossed the finish line, I joined in the jubilation of the McLaren team. Lando had put on an amazing performance, earning points and pride for his team.

Before Lando's car rolled at the grandstand, I joined the team running there to wait and greet him. We all cheered when he stopped at the P2 mark, climbing out of the car and running to us. I was there to greet him, my smile beaming with pride. Lando took his helmet off, the team patting his back and hugging him joyfully as he went down the group. My heart quickened when he came to me, the guys behind me careful to not squish me against the barrier.

He practically jumped onto me, hugging me tightly. I was so happy for him that I couldn't care less. Grabbing his face, I push my lips onto him, Lando smiling through the kiss when everyone around us cheered louder. Our breaths were heavy when we pulled away, his forehead against mine before he pecked me on the cheeks again then celebrating with the rest of the group.

The camera stayed on me, my cheeks red but my grin wide as I watch him walk up to the podium in awe. He tried so hard to focus during the national anthem but his eyes always goes down to me, a grin still on his face. After the trophy ceremony, Lando did his signature champagne pop and sprayed it to the other podium winners.

He didn't waste any time once the ceremony finished, going back down to meet me. "I guess it's official now", he smirked with his arms around me. We both walked to the garage for more celebration then went out to take a group picture.

"Baby, come!", Lando shouted for me to join. Everyone cheered when he was impatient, pulling me himself. We crouched down next to the banner, stabling ourselves with one of the champagne bottles. I was laughing my heart out, when Lando posed with a kiss on my cheek and arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer to him. Then the champagne shower began, everyone screaming and running away.

Thank god I barely got wet especially since I was wearing all white. After the celebration, Lando had to do his post race interviews as usual, his hands interlaced with mine. Now that our relationship is out in the open, Lando was holding my hand hardly wanting to let go.

I watch him from the side with his PR manager, while he did his interview. Unexpectedly the sky sport presenter pointed out about our relationship, me shying away when the camera turned to me.

"Yeah", Lando chuckled, "she's my biggest fan."