My Brother's Teammate | Lando Norris

Lights Out

The clouds hung low over Silverstone, a blanket of gray that promised rain but delivered only a stiff, wind-whipped chill. Alexis stood at the edge of McLaren's garage, her eyes darting between the cars lined up for the British Grand Prix and the row of family and friends who gathered with her. Cisca, Adam, Oliver and Savannah stood nearby, their faces a mix of excitement and apprehension. Lily was also by Alexis' side, offering a silent but supportive presence.

The roar of engines filled the air as mechanics and engineers hustled to prepare the cars. Alexis' heart raced as she glanced over at Lando's McLaren, its vibrant papaya orange a stark contrast against the cloudy sky.

The cars lined up on the grid, engines growling in anticipation. Alexis tried to steady her breathing, but her fingers were already finding their way to her mouth, biting her nails in nervous rhythm. The tension in the garage was palpable. Cisca exchanged a few hushed words with Adam, while Oliver and Savannah stood together, their gaze fixed on the track.

As the formation lap began, Alexis glanced at Savannah, who offered a reassuring smile. "He's got this." Savannah said softly, reaching out to hold Alexis' hand. The warmth of Savannah's grasp was a small comfort in the midst of her anxiety. Alexis squeezed back, grateful for the support.

The race started with the roar of engines and the blur of cars shooting off the line. The team radio was a steady stream of updates, each word punctuated by the thrilling noise of racing. Alexis' gaze never left the screens and the track, her heart pounding with every turn.

"Lando, you're holding P2," The engineer's voice announced. "Oscar's in P3. Great start, keep it up."

Alexis' breath caught in her throat, her anxiety escalating with every lap. The race was intense, with Lando and Oscar fighting hard to maintain their positions against a pack of determined competitors. She could hear the tension in the engineer's voice as he relayed updates and instructions.

"Oscar, you've got pressure from Sainz behind you. Focus on your braking points and exit speed." The engineer said, the words clipped and urgent.

Alexis' mind raced alongside the cars on the track. She looked over at Savannah, who watched the screens with intense concentration. The hand she was holding squeezed gently again, a reminder that Savannah was there, sharing in the nerves and the hope.

The laps ticked by, and the tension in the garage grew almost unbearable. The team's strategy played out, each move carefully calculated. Finally, the checkered flag waved, and the roar of the crowd signaled the end of the race.

"Norris finishes in P2! Piastri takes P3! It's a McLaren 2-3 at the British Grand Prix!" The announcement crackled through the headset, and a wave of elation surged through Alexis.

She turned to see the ecstatic faces around her. Lando's family erupted in cheers, Cisca and Adam embracing each other with tears of joy. Oliver and Savannah were grinning widely, their pride evident. Lily beamed, her eyes shining with happiness for Oscar.

Alexis breathed a sigh of relief and joy. She pulled Savannah into a tight hug, overwhelmed by the weight of the moment. "They did it." Alexis whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

"They did." Savannah replied, her voice warm and soothing.

———🏎️———

The roar of the crowd still reverberated through the paddock as Alexis, along with Cisca, Adam, Oliver, Savannah and Lily made their way towards the podium celebrations. The sky had cleared slightly, letting through some patches of sunlight that glinted off the McLaren cars as they rolled into parc fermé. Lando's McLaren was proudly parked behind the P2 sign, and Oscar's car was neatly aligned at P3, the significance of their positions still sinking in for those who had been part of their journey.