Turbulence [𝗠.𝗩.]

♦ Netherlands, Pre-Race ♦

"It would be nice to see Aston Martin back in the fight."

⸻

THE NETHERLANDS
13TH RACE WEEKEND OF THE SEASON
AUGUST

I'm going to scream if I get another question about my personal life.

In lieu of any drama, now that the Alpine drama is over with, all eyes are on me and Max. He's had to field as many questions as I have about what we were doing when we were seen in Monaco together, and what do we have to say about the rumours and... It's all fucking annoying.

Max has been far shorter with the media than I have. It works, though. It makes them scared to ask him again when he gives them a glare and a I'm sick of being asked about this, I'm here to race. I've been politely refusing to answer questions that aren't about the race weekend or the sport in general. I might have to start being rude, though.

GROUP: ROOKIES (&Yuki&Lando&Mick&Danny&Charles)

Slow Rookie (James);
LMAO look at this headline.
They really are desperate for clicks

James has sent a link to some random motorsport-related website. The headline is stupid: MAX VERSTAPPEN DENIES INTEREST IN JESSICA BOND.

Aussie Rookie (Oscar);
Shit, someone better tell Jess

Fast Rookie (Me);
You guys are aware I'm here, right?

Slow Rookie (James);
How will you handle this
heartbreak, Jess?

Fast Rookie (Me);
I'll go on a date with Lando.

Not a Rookie (Lando);
WHAT

I chuckle to myself, stashing my phone away so I can stop being distracted. I need to get into my fireproofs, and get to the garage. Zandvoort is going to be a challenging track. Frankly, all of them have their own challenges, but Zandvoort has a very unique one: it's at the seaside.

The track has far less stability than others. You'll always have one wheel lacking in grip, because it's not a level track. The pit lane is narrow, and you can end up three-wheeling in it pretty easily. The unevenness makes it difficult to manage tyres and to stay on the damn tarmac.

Never mind that the kerbs can be pretty nasty if you're not careful.

As I make my way from the hospitality unit to the garage, Oliver intercepts me and wants me to walk alongside him. I give him a raised brow in curiosity. Is he about to ask questions I don't like? I'd better head them off now.

"Look, if this is about—"

"I don't care who you date, as long as you don't bring it to the track. All I care about is if you drive well. And you have been." He drapes an arm over my shoulder, smiling warmly at me. A tiny spark of hope tries to rise.

"Theeennnn... what?"

"I'm having a contract drafted up for your manager to look at... If you're happy to keep racing with us."