Racing is life

36 ~ podium

"Come on Lando." I mutter to myself, looking at the tv screen in the McLaren garage. I'm stood amongst all the engineers and mechanics.

It's the last lap, Max is a second behind Lando. He's winning. I hope he wins. Max gets DRS and they go wheel to wheel. Lando turns into the corner and gets in front of Max as he has to take the outside line.

"And for the first time in his career, Lando Norris wins the Miami Grand Prix. Norris trumps Verstappen." Crofty's voice blares over the loud speakers as Lando's McLaren crosses the line in front of Max.

Cheers ring from all the way through the garage, everyone jumping up and down and celebrating. I glance over at the RedBull pit wall, seeing Christian with his head in his hands and GP with a slightly upset look on his face.

Jos storms out of the RedBull garage, a furious look plastered on his stupid face. I hate that guy, and if he's mean to Max, he will be having me to answer to. I know he used to abuse Max when he was younger, kind of similar to my dad actually.

"We won, Em! We fucking won!" Jon shouts, jumping up and down in front of me, a huge smile on his face. "Come on, let's go to the track!" He adds, grabbing my hand and pulling me along with him.

All the mechanics and engineers climb through the gap in the fence, onto the grandstand straight, where Lando will stop his race car behind the number 1 sign. He drives round the corner and everyone cheers as he gets out of his car and runs up to us, jumping up.

Everyone congratulates him, tapping his back and smiling at him. He looks so happy, he's got a massive smile on his face. His feet find the floor again and he pushes the barrier, which we are all stood behind, to the side. He goes through the barrier and pulls me into a hug. It's the best hug I've had in a while. I squeeze him tight and close my eyes while leaning my head against his chest.

"I fucking won!" He smiles, squeezing me tighter while still celebrating. I smile up at him, meeting his bright blue eyes which are brimming with tears of joy.

I see Max get out of his race car after stopping it behind the second place sign. His head is hanging low as he places his steering wheel back into the car. He jumps out onto the tarmac below him, walking over to the weighing station without taking his helmet off, he usually takes off his helmet and has a drink before getting weighed.

"Just a second." I say, smiling at Lando before ducking under his arms and walking over to Max. "Hey Maxi." I smile at him, wrapping my arms around his torso from behind and leaning my head on him.

"Hey kiddo." He says, his voice filled with sadness as he speaks. I walk in front of him and look up, a false sense of happiness is dull in his eyes.

"You did great today." I smile, pulling him into a hug once again. He wraps his arms around me and hugs me tightly.

"Thanks kid, but I didn't. I came second." He sighs, avoiding eye contact with me. Usually it's the other way round, but now it feels like I'm the parent. I don't like it.

"Don't be silly, you did so well. I'm proud of you." I say, leaning my head on his torso again as his chest rises while he breathes.

"You sound like Charles." He laughs, rubbing his hand up and down my back.

"That's good, I like Charles." I shrug, earning another laugh. I smile against his chest. I love every single person on this grid, they're like family to me. They are my family.

"Speaking of Charles, you better go back to the garage, he will be looking for you." Max says, pointing in the direction of the Ferrari garage.

"He'll be fine, he knows I'm with the McLaren people. I need to stay with you anyway, so if your dad comes over, I can thrash him if he's mean to you." I say, pulling away from the hug and looking around for Jos Verstappen. He needs to watch himself.