Raging Bulls || Max Verstappen MV

20. Twin Size Mattress

For the warning signs I've completely ignored

There's an amount to take, reasons to take more

It's no big surprise you turned out this way

⁂

I couldn't tell who had crossed the finish line first.

The sound of my breathing was all I heard as I heaved trying to slow my racing heart. I allowed one quick glance to the side where my teammate's Red Bull drove. There was no motion from the driver...which meant he didn't know either.

"Hey kid." Sebastian's voice pulled my attention away from the dutchman.

"Hey Seb."

"They're reviewing the footage right now. Whichever way it goes, it's going to be close." I could hear the chaos in the background and my heart thudded even louder.

"It's P2 right? Seb you don't have to spare my feelings...I've been second before. I'd rather you tell me now though so I can start getting over it." But my race engineer didn't say a word. I had been close, closer than I'd thought I could get to my teammate towards the end. Maybe turning off Sebastian's radio hadn't been a good idea. Maybe he would have been able to coach me through that last lap and I could've actually won.

"Schatzi...there's someone that wants to talk to you." Sebastian's tone was flat and my heart sunk even lower.

"Hey Mati, it's Christian."

"Oh...hi Christian! I was nervous you were going to be the stewards or something."

"Nope, just me...I have something to tell you though." I'm not entirely sure if Christian got through his sentence before a cacophony of sound overtook him. "Mati Schumacher...you are a race winner!"

Tears began flowing from my eyes and I couldn't control my body as my arms shook. Sebastian was saying something through the radio but I couldn't hear him. A scream left my throat that I already knew would cause some people to cover their ears. The giant "1" came into view and as I pulled in behind it, my head fell into my hands and I cried.

Suddenly, hands were gripping my shoulders and began shaking me with such intensity I had to look up. Sebastian's face was there, a wide grin spread across it. I could barely hear what he was saying over the cheers but it didn't matter, he pulled me close and I melted into the embrace.

I had won.

There were people beginning to gather around us and finally Sebastian turned me so I could face them all. Lando, Lewis, Carlos and even Fernando clasped my hand tightly in congratulations. Charles hurried over next and, with his visor already up, I could see the pride gleaming in his eyes as he pulled me in for a hug. We both laughed and suddenly, two people were hoisting me up onto their shoulders and cheering loudly.

"What are you idiots doing?" I laughed down at Oscar and Logan who's grins matched my own.

"Do you know what you just did?" Logan called.

"We just want to celebrate our best friend...is that a crime?" Oscar added.

"It is when I have to go get interviewed and then head to the podium!" They started walking and I almost slipped from their grasp.

"If you two get her hurt I'll sue!" We could hear the joking in Seb's tone and all laughed in unison. Logan and Oscar walked me to the interview space where Charles and Max had already been questioned. Briefly I looked for the dutch driver...but he was nowhere to be found.