Risking it all (Lando Norris)

Chapter 15

Lando

I woke up with a start, the sunlight filtering through the curtains signaling the start of race day. The familiar pit of nerves had settled in my stomach overnight, and as I lay there, I could feel the weight of the day pressing down on me. Today wasn't just any race—it was the first of the season, and the expectations were sky-high.

Beside me, Lily stirred. Her presence was comforting, but the anxiety was relentless. I glanced over at her as she woke up, a soft smile spreading across her face when she saw me.

"Morning," she said, her voice still husky with sleep. "Morning," I replied, trying to muster a smile but failing. The nerves were too intense to hide. She sat up and studied me for a moment. "You okay?"

I shrugged, running a hand through my hair. "Just... you know, race day jitters." Lily gave me a knowing look. "You're more than just jittery, Lando. What's going on?"

I sighed, sitting up and rubbing my face. "It's just... the pressure, you know? I qualified well, but what if I mess it up? What if I disappoint everyone?" She scooted closer, her hand resting on my shoulder. "Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. You've worked so hard to get here. You deserve to be on that grid."

I shook my head, the self-doubt creeping in. "But what if it's not enough? What if I can't deliver?"

Lily's hand moved to my cheek, turning my face so I had to look at her. "Lando, you're an incredible driver. You've got this. And no matter what happens out there, you've got people who believe in you. I believe in you."

Her words hit home, and I felt a lump form in my throat. Before I could say anything, she leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. "You've got this," she whispered against my skin.

I closed my eyes, letting her reassurance wash over me. When I opened them again, she was smiling, her confidence in me unwavering. "Thanks, Lily. I needed that."

"Anytime," she said, giving me a playful nudge. "Now, let's get some breakfast and get you to that track."

We got dressed, the nervous energy still buzzing but tempered by her presence. As we headed down to the hotel restaurant, I felt a bit more centered, a bit more ready to face the day. We ate breakfast together, making small talk to keep my mind off the impending race.

When we arrived at the track, the atmosphere was electric. Teams were bustling about, fans were already gathering, and the smell of fuel and rubber filled the air. I took a deep breath, trying to absorb the energy without letting it overwhelm me.

Lily stuck close, her presence a steady anchor in the chaos. As we made our way to the team's area, she squeezed my hand. "Remember, you've got this," she said, her eyes full of encouragement.

I nodded, feeling a surge of determination. We spent the next hour going through preparations, the team briefing me on the strategy, the car's condition, and the track conditions. I tried to focus, to absorb every detail, but the nerves were still there, gnawing at me.

Finally, it was time to get into my race suit. As I suited up, I caught Lily's eye. She gave me a thumbs up, her smile a mix of excitement and reassurance. I couldn't help but smile back, despite the nerves.

The minutes ticked by, and soon I was in the car, the engine roaring to life beneath me. The team radio crackled with instructions, but my mind was focused on one thing: the race ahead. As I drove out onto the track for the warm-up laps, I felt the familiar rush of adrenaline.

The grid lined up, the lights above us starting their countdown. I took one last deep breath, Lily's words echoing in my mind: "You've got this." The lights went out, and we were off.