RED LIGHTS | LANDO NORRIS

Home and Family

"I think we can push one more. You're 0.2 away from pole."

"Copy."

Lia desperately pushed through the next lap. They were in France, her actual home race, and she wanted to win more than anything. Fans had been commenting of her socials for days in preparation for the upcoming race. Her sister and her side of the family was even coming to the paddock.

She ran the best lap she could.

"Okay that's..."

Her brows furrowed as Duncan paused. She slowed down the car and pulled into the pits as she waited.

"That's P3. Hamilton had a matching time."

She groaned in frustration. Matching times were rare and it was just her luck that she had obtained one this weekend. Lewis had ran his lap earlier so he could be in the first row besides Max. The two of them would make it all the more difficult to win.

"Copy...sorry guys."

The crew stopped her car and pulled it into the garage. They took the steering wheel from her as she hopped out. Zak crossed the pit lane to come speak with her as she ripped out the radio in her ears.

Her face fell upon seeing him, "I'm sorry-"

"Don't worry about it kid," he dismissed. He patted her back and continued to reassure her, "You're still in a good spot. If we play it right then we can get up there."

She weakly smiled in response before Graham came up to lead her to the press. Her trainer managed to hand her a water and towel just as she was led out of the garage.

There was a queue of reporters waiting at the front of hospitality. They waited beneath a tent with a stand of mics. As she came to stand behind the podium, she briefly glanced down at what pointers Graham had for her responses.

"Great qualifying Aurelia!"

She looked up and smiled gratefully, now prepared to handle the questions.

"How's it feel to be so close to pole position here in your home country of France?"

She wiped at the sweat on her forehead briefly before responding.

"I'm happy with the position we got," she shrugged, "It's a bit disappointing to be so close but that's just how it is. As for the home race, I'm really pushing for a win here. It would mean a lot to me and the team. And I know getting good positions is also important to Pierre and Esteban who are from here as well."

She went to take a sip of water as another reporter briefly raised their hand to gain her attention.

"What's the strategy going into this race tomorrow?"

Lia was momentarily distracted from the question as Lewis came up from behind. She lightly laughed as he placed a friendly arm around her shoulder.

"She'll push like hell to try and beat me and Max."

They laughed together and continued the interview together. When they were done, they wished each other well before splitting off.

Lia started to make her way to McLaren's hospitality when she looked up and found her little niece running towards her. Lando was chasing her from behind, trying to catch the little girl before she could make it too far.

Lia smiled and squatted down to greet the four year old. The girl jumped up in her arms for a hug, giggling and nuzzling into her aunt's arms.

"Aurie!" the girl squealed.