Raging Bulls || Max Verstappen MV

19. Me and the Devil

"And I said hello Satan,

I believe it is time to go

Me and the devil walking side by side"

⁂

Mati

"C'mon kid, give me five more...four...three...two...last one...okay rest." Sebastian's face was all I saw before my back slammed against the ground. Sweat poured down my face and my chest heaved with exhaustion.

"Are you sure I should be pushing this hard? Qualifying is today." My words came out in breaths.

"Oh is it Saturday? Wow Schatzi I had no idea!" The fake surprise in his voice made my eyes snap open. "Okay get in the plank, I'll set the timer for two minu–" Seb was interrupted by the sound of weights slamming in the corner. My gaze quickly fixed on my teammate who had arrived at the gym just five minutes after Seb and I set our things down.

"He's such a show off." I grumbled and began moving.

"Don't worry about him kid, just focus on what we're here to do."

"It's kinda hard when he's making all that noise." I increased the volume of my voice on the last few words which made my teammate pause and even glance my way. He removed one singular headphone from his ear and I was filled with icy rage.

"I'm sorry...did you say something?" The asshole had the audacity to smirk...SMIRK...before facing his own trainer once more.

"Hurensohn," Sebastian let a small smile creep onto his face at my whispered insult.

"Next time we'll just have to get here earlier...since you two insist on having the same training schedule for some reason." I tried to tune out Seb's words as my teeth clenched and the plank timer began again.

⁂

"For what it's worth Mati, I think it's good that the two of you are having separate briefings. It will keep tensions low and allow you both to focus on your individual plans for the day." Allie's heels clacked against the floor as we walked.

"Can I ask why you're here Allie? We're not going over press strategy." Seb's eyes narrowed on the woman who walked with us.

"Everyday I have to go over press strategy when it comes to these two." We pulled the door open to the small room and found Christian seated at the table with a few other members of my team.

"Mati, have a seat. Let's go over the plan for today."

The energy that pulsed from each grandstand as I flew by was unlike most circuits. I couldn't tell if it was the still new track that had hopes so high, or if the jockeying between me and my teammate for the top spot had caused the cheering to rise. He'd claimed the fastest lap in Q1 while it was mine in Q2. Even though a few tenths of a second separated our times, we were both over three seconds clear of everyone else.

"Okay kid...it's time for that last flying lap. It's between you and Verstappen, but I don't need to tell you that. Some final checks, you're losing time from the exit out of turn six."

"What's wrong with that exit?" I couldn't quiet the pounding of my heart.

"Are you ready for some constructive criticism? I don't want to sound mean."

"No go ahead, if I'm losing time, I need to fix it."

"It fucking sucks...fix that." I let out a laugh and Seb chuckled on the other end. "Here we go Schatzi...Max is setting personal bests ahead of you, but you have clear air. Go get him." With that I crossed the line and began my final lap.