Raging Bulls || Max Verstappen MV

04. Lion

"Bring the lion out."

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The sun was already too hot. 

Walking into the paddock...right on time, sweat trickled down my back. Even the garage fans were turned up to combat the temperatures but nothing seemed to be working.

A high pitched laughter filled the space. One that couldn't be drowned out...even in the frenzy of qualifying day. I almost didn't see her over one of the large cabinets as my race engineer began discussing strategy.

She'd topped practice three today, how? I wish I knew. When the boards came into view, words left my mouth that led to a reprimand from Christian. She'd grinned like a little kid back in the garage and spoke to reporters about being grateful for the team. I didn't buy the act...not for one second.

She was still laughing. Nothing could be that funny. The heat in the garage kept climbing but it seemed like I was the only one who noticed. She didn't belong here, and I was going to show everyone that today.

"Hey, good luck." Her voice filled the space as I turned.

"I don't need it." Her eyes narrowed at my words.

"Okay. Sue me for trying to be nice." She scoffed and mumbled something in German as her long brown hair whipped behind her.

This car was unlike any that the team had made before. The roar was comforting and everything about the cockpit was perfect. In my peripherals, she sat there gazing at likely the same screen I was as Christian spoke to us. He explained how testing meant nothing in the grand scheme of it all and that we needed to consider working together if we were going to secure the best possible grid position.

Her helmet was gaudy and loud. The red shimmered and small lightning bolts sat below where her ears would have been. I could make out small movements of her head when Christain spoke and my eyes rolled behind my own visor.

The energy had been tense since she arrived. The pit crew had been nervous knowing they'd have a rookie driver...especially after two seasons with Sergio Perez.

"Alright you two, let's get it started. Mati, we're sending you out and Max will follow one minute after." Christian's voice held a tone of anxiety I hadn't heard in a while. The pit exit filled quickly as she pulled out into the line and sped out to the track.

The first two qualifying sessions were fairly easy...despite Leclerc causing a red flag early on. But, what I didn't expect to see was the "SCH" right below "VER". We'd both made it into the third session.

"Alright Max, you're about a tenth off pole right now and Mati is about two thousandths off of your pace." My race engineer filled me in.

"Look if I cared where she was I would ask you."

"Copy." His microphone clicked off.

I gripped the wheel preparing for that final flying lap and began accelerating. It wasn't perfect by any means but it was enough to secure pole. My engineer and Christian both congratulated me as I turned to pull my car behind the first position placard. Emerging from the car with arms raised, I waved to the crowd. 

Engines hummed behind me as the other two parked their cars as well. I turned expecting to see two Ferraris or Fernando's Aston Martin but my skin burned as I watched her climb from the second Red Bull. Charles rushed to where she stood and offered a congratulatory handshake. The Ferrari driver made his way over to me and offered his hand as well.

"Congrats champ. Looks like you've got a fighter behind you." I had nothing to say. He walked over to his team and they began patting him on the back.

My teammate's gaze landed somewhere in my direction as she let me take the lead in how this interaction was going to go. I turned from her quickly and pulled the helmet off my head. As I approached the team, they waited for us both with team caps in hand. I felt her presence behind me before she spoke.

"So this is how it's going to be?" Her voice was low and that fake smile was present.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Not sparing her a look, I made my way over to the reporter waiting to interview us.

Charles was first and he couldn't hold back the smile as fans cheered loudly.

"Charles, how does it feel to be starting the season in the top three?" He laughed.

"Well I'd obviously love to start where those two are, but it's still a very promising result." The interview continued, then she was called forward.

"Mati, wow what a result for your first qualifying!" The crowd cheered and she gave them a wave.

"Yeah, everything came together really well. My team was amazing and the car has felt really good all weekend. I'm just happy I was able to put it all together."

"So you're starting right behind your teammate, how does that feel?" I smirked internally thinking about how she would handle this one.

"Yeah, I mean starting behind him is no different than starting behind anyone else. So, it's business as usual."

Heat crawled up my neck as she continued deflecting questions about me. No good words but no bad ones either. She smiled and thanked the presenter and the crowd cheered once again. She had them all fooled.

I adjusted my cap and approached the reporter.

"Max Verstappen! First pole sitter of the season...how are you feeling?" The crowd cheered for me as I nodded.

"Yeah, it feels good. I knew the car was going to be competitive here but there's unfinished business tomorrow."

"You're hoping to convert this first pole into a win?"

What a stupid question.

"I mean of course," I chuckled. "That's all any driver wants when they start first."

"Looking behind you, how do you feel about the pack looking to take that lead into the first turn?"

"Well, if I'm being honest...I thought it would be one of the Ferrari's or even Alonso behind me." The reporter's eyes widened.

"So you're surprised to see Shumacher behind you?" I stared at the microphone for a moment before answering.

"Let's just say a last name doesn't get you talent. So, we will just have to see how the team does tomorrow. Thanks." The reporter could only nod and I felt someone's gaze on me while walking towards the garage.

She was staring through the crowd. Her eyes blazed through shadows created by the brim of her hat. A small smile formed on her lips when our gazes met and for the first time I got a glimpse of the real driver beneath the smiling and waving. She wasn't backing down, she was ready for war.

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First Max chapter...how do we feel?

Thank you for the patience, I was finished the fall semester and my friend just got engaged!! New chapter soon everyone