My Brother's Teammate | Lando Norris

One Step Forward, Three Steps Back

The paddock was abuzz with the usual Friday morning excitement, the teams preparing for the first of the Hungarian Grand Prix practice sessions. Amid the clamour of mechanics, engineers, and media, Alexis walked alongside Lando, who was fairly subdued. The vibrant energy of the paddock contrasted sharply with his quiet demeanour.

Alexis noticed how Lando flinched slightly as the sunlight cut through the morning haze, casting a golden glow over the area. He shielded his eyes with a hand, a subtle sign of discomfort that he tried to hide. Alexis squeezed his hand gently, her concern evident but unspoken. She had noticed he'd been struggling more with his concussion - he had been quieter, more reserved, and clearly weary.

They walked together, Lando's grip on her hand firm but not forceful, as if he was seeking reassurance more than physical support. Alexis had clearly learned not to press him about his condition. She didn't want to be a broken record, constantly asking if he was okay or how he was feeling.

The first practice session began, and Lando's focus shifted to his work. As he climbed into his McLaren, Alexis stayed close by, watching from the pit lane as the car roared to life and sped off onto the track. The sound of the engines and the sight of the cars hurtling past provided a stark contrast to the quiet that had enveloped Lando earlier.

Throughout the session, Alexis observed Lando's performance with a mix of pride and concern. Despite his struggles, he was still a skilled driver, navigating the circuit with precision and determination. His face, visible through the helmet, was a mask of concentration. Alexis hoped the adrenaline and focus of driving would offer him a temporary respite from his symptoms.

During the break between sessions, Lando returned to the garage, visibly fatigued. Alexis was there to greet him, her smile a quiet encouragement. "How was it out there?" She asked softly, trying to keep her tone light and upbeat.

Lando offered a tired smile in return. "It was... challenging. The track's really technical here. But we're getting there."

She could see how the exhaustion was weighing on him, the slight furrow of his brow betraying the effort it took to maintain his composure. As he took a moment to rest, Alexis reached for his water and silently handed it to him.

"Thanks baby." Lando said, accepting the water gratefully. He took a sip from the straw, his gaze drifting over the bustling paddock.

Alexis was mindful of giving Lando some space, so she decided to search for Oscar. She spotted him near on his side of the garage, chatting with some crew members.

"Hey, Osc," Alexis greeted, walking up with a warm smile and a quick hug. "How's everything going?"

Oscar's face lit up with a slight grin. "Hey, Lex. Everything's fine. The car's behaving itself, for now."

Alexis glanced around at the flurry of activity. "Glad to hear."

As they continued chatting, Alexis couldn't help but feel comforted by Oscar's calm and dry wit. The conversation shifted to lighter topics, like the latest rumours about car modifications and the usual banter about various teams' performance. Oscar's easygoing nature made it easy to forget the stress of the day.

"Have you seen the new setup they're working on for the next race?" Oscar asked, a hint of excitement in his voice. "It's supposed to be a game-changer... or so they claim."

Alexis raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What's the big secret?"

Oscar's grin widened. "Nothing too secret. Just the usual tweaks to make the car go faster. Apparently, it involves some highly classified duct tape and a lot of wishful thinking."

She laughed, enjoying the break from the tension. "Sounds like a recipe for success."

Oscar gave a mock-serious nod. "Absolutely. If all else fails, we can always blame it on the weather. It's a paddock tradition."