The sun was blazing over Silverstone as YN climbed out of her F1 car, her helmet tucked under her arm and sweat beading on her forehead. It had been a grueling practice session, but she felt the familiar thrill of being behind the wheel. This was her second year in Formula 1, and while the car hadn’t been competitive enough to challenge the front-runners, she and her teammate Daniel Ricciardo had developed a solid partnership, pushing each other to get the most out of a struggling machine.
Daniel had joined the team the same season she made her debut, and from the beginning, his infectious optimism and experience had helped her adjust to the unforgiving world of F1. They were close, sharing laughs in the paddock and giving each other pep talks before every race. He had a way of making everything seem lighter, even on the toughest days.
As YN walked back toward the garage, Daniel appeared beside her, still in his race suit, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. "So, rookie, still struggling with that last sector?" he teased, nudging her playfully.
YN rolled her eyes with a grin. "Only because you’re hogging all the data," she shot back. "I swear, if you didn’t love a good slide through the corners, I’d be right up there with you."
"Ah, but then I wouldn’t have the pleasure of giving you tips and tricks, would I?" Daniel said with a wink. "Besides, we both know the car is a handful right now."
YN sighed, her smile fading slightly. "Yeah, it hasn’t been easy. But we keep pushing, right?"
"Always," Daniel said, patting her on the shoulder. "That’s what teammates do."
As the season progressed, the team's struggles continued, and the pressure mounted. Every race seemed like an uphill battle, with both YN and Daniel pushing the limits just to scrape into the points. Still, their camaraderie never wavered, and they leaned on each other to stay motivated.
But then, just before the summer break, the rumors started. There was talk that Daniel might be leaving the team, whispers of a contract termination and a younger driver lined up to take his seat. YN didn’t want to believe it—Daniel was the heart of the team, and she couldn’t imagine racing without him beside her.
It was the day before the Belgian Grand Prix when the news broke. Daniel was leaving the team at the end of the season. The announcement came suddenly, catching the paddock off guard. When YN heard the confirmation over the radio while walking back to the motorhome, her heart sank.
She found Daniel sitting in their team’s hospitality area, looking uncharacteristically subdued. He glanced up as she approached, his usual grin replaced with a tight-lipped smile. "So, I guess you heard," he said quietly.
YN sat down across from him, trying to keep her voice steady. "Yeah, I did. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"
Daniel sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It wasn’t official until this morning, and honestly, I wasn’t sure how to tell you. It wasn’t exactly my choice, you know?"
"That’s not fair," YN said, the frustration bubbling up. "You’ve given everything to this team. We’ve both struggled, but you’ve kept us all going. I don’t understand why they’d let you go."
Daniel’s eyes softened as he looked at her. "It’s just the way this sport is sometimes," he said, his tone calm but tinged with sadness. "Contracts come and go, and the team’s always looking for the next big thing. But hey, that’s not going to stop me from giving it my all for the rest of the season. And it shouldn’t stop you either."
She could see the determination in his eyes, and it was a reminder of why she had looked up to him from the start. "I know you will. But it’s going to be weird without you around," YN admitted.
"Don’t worry," Daniel said, his signature grin finally reappearing. "I’ll still be causing trouble in the paddock, one way or another. You’re not getting rid of me that easily."
The rest of the weekend went by in a blur, but YN found herself struggling to focus. Knowing that her teammate and close friend would soon be gone made each lap feel heavier. When she lined up on the grid for Sunday’s race, she glanced to her left, where Daniel’s car sat. She gave him a thumbs-up, and he returned it with a cheeky nod.
The race was chaotic, with a first-lap collision causing a safety car. YN managed to avoid the chaos, but her pace was inconsistent, and she found herself battling midfield cars for most of the race. Toward the end, she was running just outside the points, with Daniel a few places ahead. On the final lap, she heard her engineer over the radio: "Daniel is slowing down. He’s letting you through for the last point."
YN’s heart ached at the gesture. She knew it wasn’t just about the one point—it was his way of showing support, of lifting her up when she needed it. She overtook him and crossed the line in P10. When they returned to the garage, she walked over to him and hugged him tightly, not caring about the sweat and grime.
"You didn’t have to do that," she whispered.
"Yes, I did," Daniel replied, pulling back to look at her. "You’re my teammate. And you’re going to be great. This is just the beginning for you."
The rest of the season felt like a farewell tour, with YN and Daniel sharing more laughs, more late-night conversations about the sport they loved, and more battles on track. With each race that brought them closer to the end, YN pushed harder, determined to show that she could lead the team when Daniel left.
During Daniel’s final race with the team in Abu Dhabi, YN finished just behind him, giving him a celebratory thumbs-up as they crossed the line. After the race, as the team gathered to say goodbye, Daniel pulled her aside.
"You’ve got a bright future ahead of you," he said. "Just promise me one thing: keep smiling, no matter what. That’s the secret to surviving in this crazy sport."
YN nodded, her throat tight with emotion. "I will, Daniel. And I’m going to make sure you’re proud."
As the lights dimmed on Daniel’s time with the team, YN knew she had to carry on the spirit and energy he had brought. She wasn’t just a rookie anymore—she was stepping into a leadership role, ready to face whatever came next. And though the road ahead was uncertain, she would always remember Daniel's words and the lessons he taught her, knowing that she wasn’t facing the challenge alone.
