Love 4 Apex | Lando Norris

🏎 11 - Claiming Victory, Demanding Respect

The atmosphere in the paddock was lively after the race. Rose, still processing the significance of what had just happened, felt a mix of emotions. She had made history as the first female Formula 1 driver to win a race. As she wiped the champagne from her face, Lewis approached her with a wide grin.

"I'm proud of you, Rose," he said, pulling her into a quick hug. "You drove an incredible race today. You've earned this moment, and I couldn't be happier to see you up there."

Rose smiled, feeling the weight of his words. "Thanks, Lewis. Coming from you, that means a lot."

Lando, standing nearby, also gave her a nod, his expression filled with pride. Although he had finished second, just behind her, there was no trace of disappointment—at least not when it came to her victory. Rose knew that Lando had never won a race before, and though she felt a sense of guilt and sympathy, she was confident that his victory was just around the corner. With how strong he and McLaren were right now, she had no doubt he would secure his first win very soon.

As they took their seats in the press conference, Rose felt a surge of excitement. She had just made history, and this moment—the chance to reflect on her win—felt monumental. But as the journalists started firing questions, something felt off.

The first question went to Lewis. "Lewis, you're currently in a tight battle for the championship with Max Verstappen, but it seems like Lando and Rose are starting to close the gap. How do you see this playing out as the season progresses?"

Lewis leaned forward, his familiar composure in place. "Yeah, the championship is definitely the main focus right now. Max is still the guy to beat, but Lando and Rose have been putting in some incredible performances lately. If Rose had raced at Monza and avoided the crash at Zandvoort, she'd be an even more serious competitor right now. She's proving to be a real force despite those setbacks, and the season is still long. We never know what's going to happen, but one thing's for sure—this year's battle is going to be tight all the way to the end."

The journalists scribbled down notes, clearly sensing the shifting dynamics of the championship.

Rose listened closely, nodding in agreement with his perspective. But she was ready—waiting for her moment to speak. Surely, the next question would be for her.

But it wasn't.

"Lando," a reporter began, "you looked strong all weekend, especially after securing pole. Can you talk us through how it felt during the closing stages, knowing Rose was closing in behind you?"

Lando smiled, though there was a hint of frustration behind it. "Yeah, I was feeling the pressure the entire time. Rose was right there, pushing me to the limit. It was about maintaining focus and trying to keep her out of DRS range. She was relentless, and on that final straight, she had just enough to get by. It was so close. But that's racing—you win some, you lose some."

The room buzzed with nods of approval. Rose waited again, her hands clasped in front of her, hoping the next question would come her way.

"Lewis, you've won here before. How does today's race compare to your previous wins at this circuit?" another journalist asked, completely bypassing Rose.

Rose kept her face neutral, though internally, frustration began to simmer. She glanced around the room, scanning for any sign of acknowledgment. She had just won her first Grand Prix—a massive milestone—and yet no one seemed interested in her accomplishment. She could feel the weight of the moment shifting away from her, back toward the usual suspects.

The questions continued, mostly centered around Lewis and Lando—their strategies, their thoughts, their performances. Rose, meanwhile, sat quietly, her fingers tapping lightly on the table as she waited. She noticed Lando glance over at her, his brow furrowing slightly. He had picked up on the imbalance too.