My Brother's Teammate | Lando Norris

A Somber Plane Ride

The private jet hummed softly, its cabin bathed in the soft glow of overhead lights. The miles between the Canadian Grand Prix and London stretched out before them, a bridge of hours with the hum of engines as their only company. Lando slumped into his seat, his demeanour as subdued as the plush leather around him. Despite the luxury of their surroundings, there was an unmistakable weight in the air.

Alexis sat beside him, her eyes darting between Lando and the two other drivers seated across the aisle. Alex, with his characteristic easy charm, was telling an anecdote about a close call during the last race, drawing a reluctant chuckle from Lando. Carlos joined in with his own stories, his animated gestures a stark contrast to Lando's quiet demeanour.

The conversations between Alex and Carlos were deliberate, aiming to lift Lando's spirits. They spoke of future races and behind-the-scenes antics of the F1 circuit, but the efforts seemed to have little effect. Lando's gaze remained distant, his fingers drumming absentmindedly on the armrest. Alexis could feel the turmoil radiating off him, and her heart ached with each passing minute.

As the jet soared through the sky, Alexis leaned closer to Lando, her voice barely a whisper amidst the background noise of the jet. "You know, you don't have to keep all of this inside." She said softly. Her fingers lightly touched his hand, a silent plea for him to open up.

Lando looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of exhaustion and frustration. He shook his head, a faint, self-deprecating smile on his lips. "I should have done better," He muttered, his voice strained. "I can't get over how I fucked it up. I was so close to getting it right, and I blew it."

Alexis' heart twisted at his words. She reached over, taking his hand in hers. "You're incredible, and everyone knows it, Lando," She said firmly. "It's okay to be disappointed, but don't let it overshadow all the hard work you've done."

Across the aisle, Alex and Carlos exchanged a glance and subtly turned their conversation toward their own racing experiences, giving the couple the space they needed. They spoke of lighter topics, their voices intentionally loud enough to create a bubble of privacy around Alexis and Lando.

Lando's hand tightened around Alexis', his expression reflecting the inner battle he faced. "It's just... so easy to get caught up in the mistakes," He said quietly. "I keep thinking about what I could have done differently, and it's like... like I can't stop."

Alexis moved closer, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "Everyone makes mistakes," She said, her voice steady and soothing. "What matters is how you move forward from them. You're so skilled on the track, and you have a whole team and fans who believe in you. Most importantly, I believe in you."

Lando leaned into her embrace, his head resting on her shoulder. She continued to speak softly, her words a steady stream of reassurance. "You're not defined by one race, or one mistake. You're defined by how you handle it and how you come back stronger. And I know you will."

Despite her best efforts, Lando remained troubled, his mind caught in an unrelenting storm of doubt and frustration. Alexis could sense the weight of his inner battles, no matter how much she tried to reach out and pull him from the shadows of his thoughts. Her voice, soft and soothing, was a gentle current against the choppy waters of his mind. She spoke in hushed tones, sharing memories of their happier moments, recounting victories both on and off the track, and offering comforting reassurances.

"Remember that time we watched the sunset in Baku? You were so relaxed, so at peace," She said gently, her hand resting on his arm. "You've been through so much, and you always come out stronger. This is just another challenge, and you'll get through it."

Lando's eyes were distant, his responses more automatic than engaged. "Yeah, I remember." He said, but the lack of conviction in his voice betrayed the struggle within. He shifted in his seat, trying to find a position of comfort but clearly unsettled.