Sitting In Traffic | Formula 1

Chapter 52- More public than before

Riley was sitting in the Red Bull garage in-front of a small screen that was hanging front the ceiling. Riley was on the edge of her seat when the race started, she had been secretly rooting for Max for months, now she got to do so somewhat openly. The formation lap had just begun and all of the cars started moving around the tracks. She felt giddy in her stomach, there was a large smile across her face as she watched alone.

There were people around her watching, but none that she had known. Every driver took their spot on the grid, except for Fernando Alonso, he was starting in pit. The green flag came out and soon after it was lights out. Every driver started driving forwards and Riley's eyes were glued to Max, watching him take off and try to build a gap between him and Lando.

There was someone on Max's tail for nearly the entirety of the race. But it wasn't until the last ten laps that it really looked like Lando had a shot at winning back to back grand prix's. The heat was on as the race neared its end, the pressure both Max and Lando were feeling was high. It showed every time something was said over the radio.

It irritated Riley when a camera panned to her and she popped up on the screen for a few seconds. She was stressed and wanted to see the cars. Everyone wanted to see the cars. It would've been fine 50 laps ago, but now, as lap 61 came to a close it was unnecessary. And now, everyone in Charles garage knew she was there.

"Battery is almost empty" Max said over the radio when the race came back on. Riley avoided the gaze of the camera the entire time. She didn't want people to be able to read her.

"Oh my god Lando back off" Riley mumbled quietly under her breath as the gap between him and Max got smaller.

Every mechanic in the Red Bull garage was watching the race off one of the many screens in the room. The tension was high once the final lap started. There were 9 tenths of a second between Lando and Max, and it only continued to get smaller. Riley's heart was racing almost as fast as Max's. There was no telling what the outcome would be after these last 3 miles were completed.

They all cheered as Max passed the checkered flag before the Mclaren that was chasing him. With 7 tenths of a second gap Max managed to win the Imola grand prix. Riley went to Max's drivers room when everyone started heading out to the podium ceremony. She wanted to grab her camera before seeing Max take the top step.

Riley missed Max when he got out of his car and walked the barricade to celebrate with his team. She wasn't there when he scanned the crowd to see if she was there. Riley was walking out of the building, and down the pit. She walked towards the large crowd, seeing Max in the distance. She managed to wiggle her way to a decent spot without being noticed.

She stood there joyfully with a camera she had just charged that morning in case Max had won. There were a few minutes from when Max entered the cool down room before Charles walked out onto the podium. That's when Riley got her camera ready. Lando came out next, Riley got a few pictures for him as-well but her main focus was Max. He just hadn't come out yet.

Riley switched the camera settings from photo to video and started recording moments before Max's name was called. Riley smiled as Max started walking outside. His face was flushed red when he exited the paddocks. He had a proud smile on his face, starting to scan the crowd for Riley which he found a lot more difficult this time around.

"There he is" Riley said quietly behind the camera, recording a video that could last a lifetime. Riley tried zooming in to get a clearer image of him, but the camera could only do so much. It was old, she was going to need a new one any day now. Riley watched as Max continuously scanned the crowd for her when he took the top step. "Normally you would've found me by now"