As if | Max Verstappen

60

1 year later

With ten laps left of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max and I were fighting wheel to wheel. The season had been incredibly even between us, only two points separated us. whoever won this race would win it all. If Max won, he would win his fifth championship. but if I won I would make history as the first woman to win a championship.

The whole race my car had flown forward like a space rocket, every curve felt like a dance. Max knew how much it would mean to me to win, but we had promised each other that our relationship would not affect how we drove. We both agreed on that.

Lucas said something on the radio, but his words were drowned out by the adrenaline pumping through my veins. I pushed the car to the absolute max and heard the engine roar as I managed to pass Max in the last corner. But he was back, overtaking again in Turn 1. We were like two fighter pilots, fighting for every millimeter of tarmac on the track.

Lap after lap we switched positions, wheel to wheel, while the audience held their breath. On lap 55 of 58 I noticed my tires were starting to wear. Max had the same problem, and it was now or never.

Suddenly, in turn 9, I saw an opening. Max took a wide turn and I threw myself onto the inside. We were side by side through the whole corner and when we came out onto the straight I managed to hold my position. But Max was right behind me, ready to fight back.

"Come on, Belle, you can do this," I heard Lucas call over the radio.

With three laps to go I knew I needed to stay calm and focused. My heart was pounding in my chest, and every fiber of my being was set on crossing the finish line first. As we entered the final lap, Max had just managed to overtake me. I knew I would have to give it my all and then some to win. I happened to brake too early in turn 1 which meant that Max managed to create a small distance between us.

I could see my first championship slipping from my grasp and I could feel a tear fall down my cheek in frustration. I was within DRS distance of Max, but I wouldn't have time to overtake him. I started driving even more aggressively than usual, and I could hear the car protesting every meter.

With three corners to go I threw myself into turn 14, right on the inside of Max. My tires screamed against the asphalt and the car shook, but I held my line. Max responded immediately and somehow overtook me.

in the last corner I could see Max braking, it wasn't much but enough for me to come up next to him. I could see the finish line and I was pushing the car to its absolute limits and I thought for a while it was going to break right before the finish line. Max was a few millimeters ahead of me but braked once more.

I crossed the finish line first. I didn't understand it at first but when Lucas started screaming on the radio I understood, I had won the race, my first championship. my vision began to blur thanks to the tears that were pouring out.

Max pulled up next to me and held up one hand that formed a heart. I tried to make a heart back but my adrenaline was shooting through my whole body and I didn't know where to go.once i parked the car i was going to climb out but my legs were like jelly and i needed to sit in the car for a while. I could see the whole Red Bull team running towards me and I finally started to climb out.