RED LIGHTS | LANDO NORRIS

Red Flag

"Can I get a ride?"

Lewis stopped his scooter right beside Lia to allow her to hop on. She placed her hands on his shoulders to secure herself on the back before he continued to push towards the garages.

He drove her all the way to the McLaren garage before helping her off.

"Thanks man."

"Anytime mate."

He patted her shoulder in good luck before she made her way inside. She spoke to a few of the crew members before heading back to her driver room. When she opened the door, Lando was already sitting inside.

"What are you doing in here?"

A small smile graced her lips as he shut the door behind her before pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. She was momentarily surprised at the motion-he'd never displayed blatant affection in public before, especially at a track.

When he pulled back, his hands remained cradling her face. Lia could tell something was off so she laid her own hands on top of his. She furrowed her brows, asking if he was alright with just her expression.

"I've had this feeling all weekend that something is wrong," he explained, "I thought it would fade by now-"

Lia cut him off with another short kiss. He sighed afterwards and kept their foreheads pressed together.

"Just nerves for your home race," she assured, "Besides, we are each others good luck charms yeah? The luck is with team papaya today."

She kiss his cheek before stepping out of his arms. She began to pull up the top half of her race suit to get ready for the start in a few minutes.

They walked out of her room together and paused momentarily between their cars.

"Just be careful alright?" he pleaded.

She smiled and held out a fist, "Always am. Good luck Norris."

"Good luck Wren."

They gave their fist bumps before Lia turned her back and went towards her car. Lando lingered for a moment still before turning around.

They both put on their helmets and gloves before getting into their cars. They were instructed to roll out onto the starting grid.

Lia was in P6 and Lando was in P4. The grid was filling up with drivers and soon enough the lights were all on. Lando took one last glance in his mirrors back at Lia before the lights turned off.

All cars dove forward, cutting each other off through the first corner. The top three pulled away pretty quickly from the rest of them. By the tenth lap, neither Lia nor Lando had gained or lost a position. Lia seemed to be the line where the others from behind were constantly exchanging places. In between the two McLaren drivers was Carlos.

Her crew called her into the pits on the eighteenth lap. She expressed her concerns over the radio as she pulled in-immediately the pit stop was slow.

"What's going on?"

She heard the gun to replace the nuts go off three times before she was sent off. Duncan informed her there was a problem removing the rear right tire.

"No shit. Where are we now?"

"P9."

She cursed and exited the pit lane with new vigor. She pulled out just behind Daniel, who was chasing Checo. Ocon was behind her and surprisingly closing in quick.

"Push pace please."

She followed the instruction and pushed to close the gap to Daniel. Himself and Checo were nearly wheel to wheel through the next few laps. Lia was close behind them, clocking in way under her average speed-she needed to get past to really push. Esteban was holding close to her through the corners and managing to stay close.