DNF - A Formula 1 Story (Lando Norris)

Chapter 20

"I wanna push you up against the wall. Vertical, free fall, yeah." - BANNERS

Bianca

It's race day and I'm currently in the Red Bull garage for the second day in a row although I wish I was in the McLaren garage instead. Lando is currently in third place and there's only ten laps left and I'm fucking nervous. He's stuck in between Charles and Carlos with Max leading, but not by a very large margin. He's gaining on Charles though and is within DRS. I watch the many screens with my hands covering my mouth when they arrive in the DRS zone and Lando starts making a move on Charles. It always makes me so anxious and this time is no different. My dad is standing beside me, laughing at me as I start cheering for Lando under my breath. After the looks I got yesterday in this garage for cheering him on, I'm trying to stay under the radar today. But that goes right out the window when Lando is able to get ahead of Charles and I'm cheering loudly. Kelly who is standing on the other side of me laughs at my antics but I see her and a few others around the garage clapping too so I feel a bit better about my behavior.

Unfortunately Lando doesn't catch up to Max, but maintains his spot at P2. Kelly convinces me to go with her to watch the boys celebrate on the podium and I'm hesitant at first, but then decide to go. We meet up with Lydia along the way but once we get to the podium ceremony I tell the girls I'm going to hang in the back of the crowd instead of in front with the crews. They look disappointed but don't pressure me into going with them, and for that I'm thankful.

This is my first time experiencing the madness and I'm amazed at how many fans are charging towards the podium. It's insane and I get pushed forward to where I'm almost near the McLaren crew and I see Lando's parents along the fence line with bright smiles as they wait for Lando to come out. I have yet to meet them and I'm not sure if they even know about me. I'm assuming they do, but Lando and I have never talked about it. Now though, I'm wishing I would have asked if they did know about me. As I stare at them, his mother's gaze lifts up and we lock eyes. Recognition comes over her face and I smile tentatively as she leans toward her husband and whispers something in his ear and then his gaze finds mine as well. I think it's safe to assume they know who I am.

There's a sudden surge within the crowd and I realize it's because they are about to start the podium ceremony and the crowd is antsy. The announcers bring Charles out first for P3, then followed by Lando and Max. As the Dutch national anthem plays, I see Lando looking around the faces in the crowd. I see the moment he sees his parents because his smile grows bigger and I look to his parents to see them looking so proud of him. Then I see his mom turn to look at me once more and I realize she's trying to let Lando know I'm here. When I look back to him he's staring right at me and his smile makes butterflies fill my stomach.

"Hi bubs." I mouth to him and I see him sigh happily and bite his lip to hide his smile. It's his reaction that makes me glad that Kelly talked me into coming to watch. Our eyes don't break apart until he's being handed his trophy and I watch as he thrusts it into the air, making everyone cheer. A few moments later, chaos begins in the form of the champagne celebration. I watch with a huge smile as Lando does his signature champagne celebration and I laugh when he immediately sprays champagne in Max's face.

Soon enough the celebration is over and the boys head to their after race duties. I linger for a few minutes while the crowd dies down a little before I head back to the paddock. Kelly and Lydia end up finding me and we all three make our way back together, talking about our plans for the rest of the night. They are all headed back to Monaco tonight.

When we reach the paddock I hug them both goodbye and promise to see them in a couple of days in Monaco. I am going with Lando during the off week. He has to film an ad this week for the clothing business that him and Sophie are ambassadors for. I'm not sure how I feel about going back to Monaco. It will be the first time since New Year's Day that I've been there. I debated not going with Lando and just meeting him in Budapest for the Hungarian GP, but then I realized I didn't want to be away from him.