F1 Imagines

Part 38

Daniel Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo sat on the edge of his bed, his head in his hands, feeling the weight of the world bearing down on him. The room was dark, the only light coming from the streetlamp outside the window casting long, wavering shadows. Despite his usual charisma and infectious smile, the truth was that Daniel was struggling. Every day, he had to put on a brave face, joke around with the media, and make everyone believe he was his usual upbeat self. But behind closed doors, the pressure was becoming unbearable.

His best friend, Ava, had always been the one person who could see past the facade. She had noticed the small signs: the way Daniel's laughter seemed a little less genuine, the rare moments of silence when he would stare into the distance. Tonight, she knew something was seriously wrong. She had called him, but he had been dismissive, saying he was fine. However, she couldn't ignore her instincts and decided to visit him unannounced.

A soft knock on the door startled Daniel. He looked up, surprised to see Ava standing there. She entered quietly, her eyes full of concern.

"Hey," she said softly, sitting down beside him on the bed. "I brought you some tea."

Daniel gave her a weak smile, but Ava could see through it. She sat close, resting her head on his shoulder, offering her silent support. The warmth of her presence was comforting, and for the first time in days, Daniel felt a glimmer of relief.

They sat there in silence, Ava's head resting gently against him. After what felt like an eternity, Daniel finally spoke, his voice cracking. "I don't know if I'm going to have a seat next season. I've been trying so hard, but it feels like nothing I do is good enough. The pressure, the expectations... it's eating me alive."

Ava's hand found his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You don't have to be strong all the time, Daniel. It's okay to let it out."

And so he did. He poured out his fears, his doubts, and the relentless self-criticism that had been haunting him. He talked about the sleepless nights, the nagging feeling that maybe he wasn't the driver he once was, and the constant anxiety about his future in Formula 1.

As he spoke, Ava listened intently, never once interrupting. Her presence was a steady anchor amidst his storm. When Daniel finally finished, he was emotionally spent but also relieved. He looked at Ava, his eyes reflecting both vulnerability and gratitude.

Before he could say anything, Ava leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. It was a gentle, comforting kiss that spoke volumes more than words ever could. When they parted, she offered a reassuring smile.

"Let's get some rest," she said softly. "You're going to need all your energy tomorrow. And remember, you don't need to prove anything to anyone. Just show them what you've always shown me: how incredibly talented you are."

Daniel nodded, feeling a renewed sense of calm. Ava helped him to bed, her presence a comforting reminder that he was not alone. As he closed his eyes, he felt a flicker of hope rekindling. With Ava by his side, he knew he could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

The night was long, but Daniel drifted off to sleep, knowing that no matter what happened next, he had someone who believed in him and would be there to support him through it all.

Authors note - poor Danny he deserves so much better