*A World of Speed*
Growing up in the Verstappen household meant that Y/N Verstappen was no stranger to the high-octane world of Formula 1. Her father, Jos Verstappen, was a former F1 driver, and her older brother, Max, had already established himself as one of the brightest talents on the grid. Y/N, younger by a few years, was always the quiet observer in the shadows of racing greatness. Unlike her brother, who was all fire and intensity, Y/N was more reserved, preferring to stay out of the spotlight.
However, the racing bug had bitten her too. She had spent countless hours at racetracks, absorbed in the hum of engines and the smell of burning rubber. But rather than pursuing a career in racing, Y/N focused on sports journalism. By the time she was in her early twenties, she had carved out a niche for herself as a respected motorsport journalist, known for her insightful interviews and in-depth analysis.
* A Surprising Friendship*
It was during the 2018 Formula 1 season that Y/N's life took an unexpected turn. At the time, Max was racing for Red Bull Racing, and Y/N often attended the races to cover the events and support her brother. It was during one such race weekend that she crossed paths with Daniel Ricciardo, Max’s teammate at Red Bull.
Daniel Ricciardo was known for his easy-going personality, wide smile, and infectious laugh. He was a favorite among fans and drivers alike, always the life of the paddock. Despite the pressures of racing, Daniel had a way of making everyone around him feel at ease. For Y/N, who was used to the intense atmosphere of the F1 world, Daniel’s light-hearted nature was a refreshing change.
Their friendship started innocuously enough. They’d chat in the paddock, exchange a few jokes, and occasionally have dinner with Max after a long day at the track. But over time, something began to shift. Y/N found herself drawn to Daniel in ways she hadn’t expected. He was older than her by almost a decade, a fact that she initially thought would keep them firmly in the "just friends" category. But the more they talked, the more she realized how much they had in common—both had grown up in the world of motorsport, both understood the pressures of the sport, and both cherished their close-knit families.
*The First Sparks*
The first time Y/N realized her feelings for Daniel went beyond friendship was during the Monaco Grand Prix. It was one of the most glamorous events on the F1 calendar, and the Verstappen family was out in full force to support Max. After a long day at the track, Daniel invited Y/N to join him for a late-night walk along the harbor.
Monaco at night was a sight to behold, with the moonlight reflecting off the calm waters and the city lights twinkling in the distance. As they walked and talked, Daniel opened up about his own struggles, the pressures he felt to perform, and his thoughts on the future. It was a side of him Y/N hadn’t seen before—vulnerable, thoughtful, and introspective.
They found themselves sitting on the edge of the harbor, their feet dangling over the water. The conversation lulled into a comfortable silence, the kind that only happens between two people who truly understand each other. Daniel turned to her, his eyes soft in the moonlight, and Y/N felt her heart skip a beat. For the first time, she realized just how deep her feelings for him ran.
Before she could second-guess herself, Daniel leaned in and kissed her. It was gentle at first, almost as if he was testing the waters, but when Y/N kissed him back, the floodgates opened. The kiss deepened, filled with all the emotions they had been holding back. When they finally pulled away, both were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other as they tried to process what had just happened.
“Y/N,” Daniel whispered, his voice thick with emotion, “I’ve been wanting to do that for a while now.”
She smiled, her heart racing. “So have I.”
