Risking it all (Lando Norris)

Chapter 60

Lando

The morning of the Silverstone Grand Prix felt like it was pulsing through my veins the second I opened my eyes. Lying in our bedroom before getting ready, the nervous excitement was already creeping up on me, a strange combination of pressure and anticipation building in my chest. 

This wasn't just any race—it was my race, my home race, where every fan in the stands was chanting my name, where I knew every curve, every straight, like the back of my hand. 

I rolled onto my back, staring at the ceiling for a moment, letting it sink in. Today could be a massive day. No, today will be a massive day.

Next to me, Lily was still fast asleep, her chest rising and falling softly under the blankets. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of her, looking so peaceful in the middle of all this chaos. 

She had this way of grounding me, keeping me steady, even when my mind was spinning a hundred miles an hour. I knew I needed that today more than ever. 

Quietly, I slipped out of bed, trying not to disturb her, but as soon as I moved, I heard her stir.

"Good morning, champ," she mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep, eyes barely open but a smile tugging at her lips.

"Morning," I said, leaning down to brush a kiss over her forehead. "Big day."

She stretched lazily under the covers, then blinked up at me, that sleepy smile turning into something more confident, something that said, You've got this. "Silverstone, huh? No better place for you to win."

I chuckled, even though the nerves were already clawing at my gut. "Yeah, we'll see. Car feels good, but anything can happen out there."

"You'll be amazing," she said, her voice soft but firm, full of belief that I was still trying to find in myself. She sat up slightly, giving me that look—the one that told me she was up to something. "Just focus on the race. Everything else is taken care of."

There was something in the way she said it that made me narrow my eyes a little, but I didn't have time to press her. I had a full day of prep ahead of me, and she was always up to some surprise. "Alright, I'll leave you to get some more sleep. See you at the paddock?"

"Of course," she said, smiling as she sank back into the pillows. "And Lan...I love you, don't worry too much."

I got ready and dressed into a casual outfit of mine. I checked if I have everything, my pass, my phone and similar things. 

I was pretty nervous since after all it's my home race. I knew that lots of people will be there to support me, even my parents. I wanted to make them proud. My siblings are unfortunately not coming but that's fine.

As I left our house, I felt a little more centred, like Lily's words had steadied me. Walking through the paddock, the sounds and energy of the day were already buzzing around me—team members rushing about, engineers talking strategy, fans cheering from the fences. 

It was all Silverstone. All home.

The closer I got to the garage, the more the pressure built. My parents, Adam and Cisca, were already somewhere in the crowd, and I knew they were probably more nervous than I was.

They'd been to so many races, but Silverstone was special. It wasn't just about me—it was about them, too. My sisters, Flo and Cisca, and my brother Oliver couldn't make it this year, which was a bummer. 

I'd have loved to have the whole family here, but things happen. They'd be watching on TV, screaming at the screen, no doubt.

The briefings were a blur of numbers, data, and strategy talks. We ran through everything—tire choices, pit stop windows, weather forecasts, potential threats on the grid.