Royal Speed | Leclerc & Verstappen

79 | one last time

-/- Abu Dhabi 2022 - qualifying -/-

It was Saturday here in Abu Dhabi, the very last Saturday that Max was walking through these gates as a formula one driver. His hand right in mine, only separating as we scanned our passes at the entrance.

Despite all the emotions, this roller-coaster of feelings this weekend, I had a little smile on my face, knowing exactly what would wait in the garage for us, for Max. It was all planned out, my little tiredness in the morning, the long time I spend in the bathroom, all planned.

So that we were exactly walking into the paddock at a certain time so the team would be ready.

"It's crazy." Max mumbled next to me, squeezing my hand, "Tomorrow my racing career will be over, my new life will start, my new life with you, at your side."

He smiled at me, what I returned. We had talked a lot these last weeks, had endless deep talks about his feelings, his emotions over his exit from formula one, his fears for the life afterwards.

"I know." I returned, quietly comforting him, "But you will do amazing today and tomorrow, you're gonna leave with a bang, cause you're still Max Verstappen, the best driver ever, my champion."

"Your champion and soon your prince, actually in exactly two weeks." the Dutchman chuckled before he beamed, "Then we'll be husbands."

"Can't wait." I smiled back before we arrived the entrance of the garage.

"Shouldn't we first go to the hospitality, grab some food?" Max asked, but I quickly shook my head, even pushing him to the garage.

"No, we're going inside here first." I returned, not trying to look at him as I was horrible in lying and he immediately would see it in my eyes that I wasn't telling the truth.

Luckily the Dutchman didn't really ask again nor tried to refuse so we walked now into the garage, hand in hand, the diamond rings shining on our fingers.

"Why is it so quiet in her" Max started but as we crossed the corner his jaw dropped and he went silent.

"Surprise!" his team shouted as all the mechanics and engineers were standing together, Christian even holding up a cake.

"We all just wanna say thank you for all the amazing years together, we know it's not easy for you either and we all will definitely miss you." the team chef said as he handed the cake over to someone before he pulled Max into a hug.

"I'm gonna miss you too guys." the Dutchman returned and I heard in his voice that he was close to his tears.

"And even you're the reason he's leaving us, I wanna thank you too." Christian suddenly said and stepped over to me, "Without you these two championships wouldn't have been possible, you were with Max when he needed you the most. Just know you're always welcome here."

"Thanks Christian, I appreciate it." I returned with a smile, knowing well that we would see ach other soon as Max had invited him for the wedding as well as some other of his closest people here.

I then stepped over to my fiance, who was looking at the cake, making some jokes with his mechanics over it.

"Did you know about this?" Max nudged me quietly, wrapping an arm around my waist in order to pull me closer.

"Hm." was all I returned, smiling before I stepped away, looking behind Max.

When the Dutchman also turned around, his eyes widened once again as he saw two mechanics carrying a front wing over to them. It wasn't just a normal part of the car, the whole RedBull team had signed it, written little messages on it.