On my own-lewis Hamilton

Chapter 16

We walked into the paddock for race day. I felt so nervous for him. I really wanted him to win the title since he's worked so hard.

We walked in and all the cameras were on us. I kept my head down trying to avoid eye contact with them. All I could hear was the click over the cameras and the shouting of the people asking questions. I hated it so much.

We finally arrive to the motorhome and it felt so tense everyone was definitely very anxious about today. I sat at an empty table while dad went to his strategy meeting and other various meetings he had to do.

I could tell dad was nervous but he just didn't want to say it. I know how badly he wants that 8th title. But in my opinion no matter how many titles he has he's the best driver and dad in the whole world no matter what.

Dad finally finished his meetings as we went to the garage where the engineers and mechanics were busily working. In felt very tense in the garage as well and I can't imagine how it would be when the racing is happening.

Dad went to get ready for the race as I went and sat next to grandad who was there for the race.

"You ok ems?" He asks

"Yeah I'm just a bit nervous" I say while smiling slightly

"I think we all are" he replies

It's finally time for the race as dad comes out into the garage.

"Good luck" I say while giving him a hug

"Thank you em, I'm going to win this title for you I promise" he says while hugging me back.

He goes over to all the other mechanics and engineers who are ready to watch the race as they wish him luck for the race before he goes out on track to get into the car.

It's now time for the lights to go out. Dad is starting in p2 behind max verstappen. I can feel butterflies in my stomach I feel so nervous. If he doesn't get ahead on the start it's going to be really hard to overtake later in the race.

The lights finally go out. As the cars spread across the line. I sat there tensely watching as dad over takes verstappen at the start. I sat there watching for a few laps as his lead starts to grow. I feel so happy for him at the moment. It's definitely not over yet but he has such a good chance now.

It's getting near the end of the race with only 5 laps to go and dad was still comfortably leading the race. I look up to the screen as I see yellow flags beings waved. There had been an incident. Nicolas latifi had crashed out causing there to be a safety car.

I could feel my heart pounding this could ruin dad's chances of becoming the world champion again. There were lapped cars unbeaten shin and max verstappen so when they let the cars race again hopefully they should have a ok gap between them.

Everyone was sat there tensely waiting and watching to see what was going to happen next. I watch closely hoping for the best.

I was watching the screen as I see the lapped cars between dad and max verstappen were unlapping themselves. I sat there confused of what's going on. I can hear the team uprising and getting angry about the situation. It's unfair I can't believe they are doing that.

I can hear toto who ting down the radio to the FIA and how unfair it is. All dad can do now is defend for his life...

It gets to the last lap as they are now aloud to race. This is so unfair the whole season has come down to one final lap...

Dad starts racing again as everyone watches tensely knowing this was an unfair battle. He accelerates into the distance. With max verstappen quickly catching him. He's on his take as he's trying to overtake. I can see dad defend for his life but the red bull car is too quick. I see him overtake. As my heart drops. Dad has worked so hard and it's all gone.

I can hear the cheers from the crowds and the redbulls garage as he overtakes and crosses the line.

I sat there is the garage with disbelief to what has just happened. Everyone is the garage was in disbelief and anger. It was not right what had happened it was not fair.

I could feel the cameras panel around the garage I could feel water in my eyes I felt so bad for him. I needed to hold it in though there's cameras around I don't want people thinking I'm a brat or something.

I watched as he parked his car by the 2nd place sign as he just sat there not knowing what to do. Eventually I saw him get up with pure strength and might as he finally got out the car. They put the cameras on him as he congratulated everyone and as he went over to his dad.

I really wanted to see him after the race but I wasn't allowed. I hated seeing him like this he doesn't deserve it I wish I could just change everything.

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Eventually he came back to the garage as the crowd finally began to die down and leave. There were now less cameras on us as he was definitely trying to avoid them.

His face said it all when he walked in he was so defeated.

"You ok?" I asked concerned as he walks over towards me

He gave me a small smile before he answered trying to put on a brave face "I'm alright princess, just in a bit of disbelief of what happened"

"You should have won it wasn't fair" I say quietly while looking at my lap avoiding eye contact with anyone. I could feel the controversy in the air still as everyone's trying to forget about what happened.

"Look somethings don't always go our way. But we have to keep going, it's not how we fall em it's how we get back up" he sighs while crouching down to me. "Anyway I want to take our minds off racing for a bit it's winter break now" he says while looking a bit overwhelmed

I nod in response as I give him one of the biggest hugs I've ever given him and hide my face into his chest. "I hate seeing you like this, you didn't deserve it" I say quietly

"I'm ok princess I promise, and I'm sorry I didn't win the title for you I promised I would" he says with a sad voice

"It's ok you tried your best" I say in disbelief that's he's saying sorry to me. He should be the one getting the biggest apology.

We finally left the race trying to avoid the media and cameras. Today just felt different dad looked emotionally and physically exhausted after this season. He had been working so hard and giving it his all. I felt bad especially because I haven't been the easiest the last couple months which definitely added him extra stress. But with everything that had just happened I knew he was the strongest person ever.

"Pack your stuff em we need to fly back tomorrow and then your straight back to school after that"

"Do I have to go back to school?" I complain

"Yes plus you only have the rest of the week and then it's Christmas holidays" he says while packing his stuff.

I finally get ready for bed I feel emotionally exhausted after today. I know today will always go down in history but I hope he will never have to relive it again.

"Goodnight dad, love you" I say while wrapping my arms round him for a hug.

"Night princess love you" he says while hugging me. I can tell he's still thinking about everything. Which is fair enough but I wish he didn't have to live through the pain of it.

Authors note- sorry about making you relive Abu Dhabi 2021 but I thought it would be good for the storyline. I have a lot of exciting chapters planned for make sure to watch out for that!
Sorry for the wait of this chapter I was on holiday last week.