My Brother's Teammate | Lando Norris

Spinning Out

The McLaren garage was alive with pre-race energy as the teams prepared for the main event of the Austrian Grand Prix. Alexis and Lily had returned to their spots, standing side by side as they awaited the start. The tension in the air was palpable, with the clouds that they had noticed earlier now looming ominously overhead. The rain that had threatened all morning had finally begun to pour, creating a slick and treacherous track.

Alexis adjusted her position to get a better view of the monitors, feeling a pang of unease as she watched the dark clouds blanket the sky. The track, now drenched, glistened under the heavy downpour. The conditions were far from ideal, and the thought of the drivers navigating the slick surface made her stomach churn.

As the race began, the roar of the engines and the hum of the team radios filled the garage. Alexis and Lily huddled close, listening intently as the commentators and team members provided updates. Lando was starting from P5, with Oscar in P3. The strategic positioning of the drivers in the wet conditions added an extra layer of complexity to the race.

The first quarter of the race unfolded with a frenetic pace, the drivers battling for traction and position on the increasingly slippery track. Alexis' eyes were fixed on the live feed, her heart racing with every turn.

It was then that the tension reached a new peak. Sergio Perez, who was right behind Lando in P6, made a daring move to overtake him on the outside line. The manoeuvre, executed in the slick conditions, was definitely risky. The Red Bull clipped the McLaren, sending Lando into a spin. His car skidded uncontrollably across the wet track and slammed into the wall at high speed.

The impact was jarring, and the sight of Lando's car crumpled against the barriers made Alexis' breath catch in her throat. The screen flickered as the red flag was waved, and the race was immediately halted. The garage fell into a tense silence, the severity of the crash sinking in.

For a moment, it felt as if Alexis' world had stopped. Her mind raced, her focus narrowed to the team radio as she tried to make sense of what had happened. Her heart pounded as she strained to hear any updates.

Lando's engineer's voice crackled over the radio, breaking through the static. "Lando, are you okay?"

There was a disconcerting pause, the silence stretching on as Alexis' anxiety intensified. The seconds felt like hours, each one dragging as she waited for a response.

Then, amidst the static, Alexis heard Lando's heavy breathing, his voice soon coming through the radio. "I'm okay. Just... give me a minute."

The confirmation was a balm to her fraught nerves, though the unease lingered as the marshals worked to extract Lando from the wrecked car. The sight of the rescue team in action did little to quell her worry. Alexis watched with bated breath as the marshals carefully manoeuvred Lando's car away from the barrier and began the process of helping him out of the vehicle.

Lily, sensing Alexis' distress, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "He's okay," She said softly. "He's talking to the team. That's a good sign."

The minutes ticked by slowly, the garage waiting with bated breath for further updates. Alexis' focus remained on the screens and the radio, her eyes flicking between the live footage and the concerned faces of the team members.

As the marshals finally got Lando out of the car, the initial wave of fear began to subside. The concern was far from over, but seeing him move, even if shakily, was a relief. The medical team was attending to him with practiced efficiency, and Alexis could only hope that he would be okay.

As the rain continued to pour and the race remained under a red flag, Alexis stood with Lily, her mind a whirl of anxiety and fear. She barely noticed Jon approaching until he was right in front of her.