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52. Swinging and Missing

Thursday was media day, and Olivia was glad to be back to her old routine. She had breakfast with Checo downstairs, where she was joined by Charles and Carlos. Everybody was happy to see her back in Formula 1. She kept getting pats on the back and smiles from other teams, not just her own. The news of her assault had been a concern for everyone. After that she got ready to leave, she didn't want to get to the paddock by herself so she made sure to drive with Checo.

Once she was at the motor home, she went back to her usual spot at the coffee station. It all felt like no time had gone by at all.

"Are you happy to be back?" asked Max as he walked over to the coffee station.

Olivia nodded with a slight smile "feels like I never left" she said.

"Believe me, your absence was noted" he said.

"Was it?" said Olivia as a smile peaked through her lips.

Max looked at her for a second "Yeah I mean without you there was nobody to bully Checo, and the photographs sucked" he joked.

Olivia laughed "We'll don't worry, you'll have enough Checo entertainment and good photographs from now on" she said as she poured herself a cup "Do you want coffee?" she said handing him the cup.

Max hesitated for a moment "Perfect, thanks" he accepted it with a small smile.

"It feels so good to see you here again Liv" said Checo as he came into the room. Liv smiled brightly at him and sent him a kiss.

"Do you guys have any plans for the break?" asked Max looking at both of the Perez siblings.

"We are going to Mexico" said Olivia with a calm smile, she couldn't wait to be there.

"Oh cool, for the whole break?" said Max trying to hide his disappointment.

"Yeah the whole month, we leave on Tuesday" said Checo "We are going to Guadalajara and then some time in Puerto Vallarta to enjoy the beach".

"What about you?" asked Olivia curiously.

"Oh I don't know, I may go visit my family for a week or two and then back to Monaco" he shrugged "Haven't really planed much".

"Your father is coming this weekend though isn't he?" asked Checo.

Olivia almost choked on her coffee. She hadn't met Jos Verstappen yet, although she knew he had been on a few races the last couple of months. The few things she knew about him were from stories other drivers or engineers would talk about. The man sounded like an absolute monster.

"Yeah but he is gonna come to the paddock just Saturday and Sunday" said Max casually like it was nothing, then he turned to Olivia "Wait you haven't met him right?"

Olivia was still trying to not choke on her coffee, she shook her head "No, can't say that I have" she said "should be interesting".

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Media day went by like a flash, before she knew it Olivia was back at the hotel and getting ready to go for another run. She had dinner with Checo and went to bed early, she had forgotten how much energy this job required and had to get used to it again.

Next day was free practice and she was glad to be back at the garage, taking pictures of her two favorite drivers back in their suits and helmets. The bulls did just okay in FP1 and 2 although it was specially tough on Checo. However Olivia knew that free practice was not necessarily the outcome of the race and that she should wait for qualifying, the team was still testing some things out. Just like it had been for the rest of the season, the Ferrari boys were fighting with the bulls for the top spots.