Risking it all (Lando Norris)

Chapter 49

Lando

The jet touches down smoothly on the tarmac, the bright Mediterranean sun reflecting off the sleek surface of the plane. Monaco's coastline stretches out beneath us, a breathtaking view of glittering water and luxurious yachts dotting the harbour. 

I glance over at Lily, who's looking out the window with a soft smile on her face. Her eyes are full of excitement, the kind that Monaco always seems to bring out in people. This place never gets old, no matter how many times we visit.

As we disembark and make our way to the waiting car, the familiar hum of anticipation settles in my chest. It's race week in Monaco, and there's a certain magic in the air that makes it feel different from any other race. The narrow streets, the history, the atmosphere—it's all electric.

Lily slips her hand into mine as we drive through the winding streets to our hotel, the city bustling with energy. 

The car pulls up to the entrance, and we're quickly ushered inside, the staff taking care of our luggage as we head up to our suite. The room is just as stunning as I remembered, with a balcony overlooking the sea and the distant sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

"We should get settled in quickly," I say, glancing at the clock. "Media day starts in an hour, and we'll need to head to the track soon."

Lily nods, already unpacking our bags. She's efficient, as always, making sure everything's in place before we have to rush out the door. I'm grateful for her calmness—it helps keep me grounded amidst the chaos of race weekends.

Once we're both ready, we head out, the drive to the track quick and easy. The streets are already lined with fans, many of them waving flags and holding up signs. I catch a few glimpses of McLaren colours and can't help but smile. 

Monaco is always special, but seeing the support here makes it even better.

As soon as we arrive at the paddock, the buzz of activity hits us. Crews are busy prepping the cars, journalists are everywhere, and the excitement is palpable. 

Lily gives my hand a quick squeeze before she heads off to join the other girls, who are already gathered near the interview stage.

"Good luck up there," she says with a wink. "I'll be watching."

I smile at her before heading off to join the other drivers. Media day is always a bit of a circus, but it's all part of the job. 

The stage is set up in the middle of the paddock, and the fans are packed in, eager to catch a glimpse of their favourite drivers.

As we take our seats on the stage, I glance out at the crowd. The other drivers are already chatting amongst themselves, and I can see the girlfriends sitting together in the front row. 

Lily's there, of course, talking animatedly with Kelly, Alexandra, Kika, Carmen, and the others. It's good to see her relaxing, especially after everything we've been through.

The interviewer, a seasoned F1 journalist, steps up to the mic and begins the session. The first few questions are the usual—thoughts on the track, expectations for the weekend, how we're feeling going into the race. 

I answer them easily, the words flowing naturally after so many years of doing this. Then the interviewer shifts to more light-hearted topics, the kind that always get a few laughs from the crowd.

"So, Lando," the interviewer begins, turning to me with a grin. "Rumour has it you've been practicing your cooking skills. Care to share how that's going?"

I chuckle, glancing at the other drivers, who are all smirking at me. "Well, let's just say I'm getting better at not burning the kitchen down," I reply, earning a laugh from the audience. "But I'm still nowhere near Gordon Ramsay level."