Rᴀᴄɪɴɢ Pᴜʙʟɪᴄɪᴛʏ | english

Chapter 14

The sun was burning hot over the Miami International Autodrome as the crowd waited eagerly for the Formula 1 race to start and I was one of them. Many celebrities had travelled to watch the race today and I even got to speak to a few.

Now the time had come. Lilly and I stood in the pits and watched the boys line up on the grid. Max on pole, Georg on seven, Oscar on six and Lando on five. I could feel myself getting nervous, which I needed as I knew the boys would be careful.When the lights went out, everyone shot to the front. The first few laps went smoothly, but then the battle for the top position began until the middle of the race.

There was a dramatic incident in the middle of the race. Magnussen and Sargent collided in turn 8, leading to a safety car period. Lando took the opportunity to adjust his strategy and put on fresh tyres.

When the race restarted, the drivers showed what they were capable of. Lando was battling at the front, but Oscar unfortunately had some difficulties after a contact with Sainz.I could hardly sit still, as could the others in the pits. Lando was well on time and the strategy also seemed to be the best as he was now leading the race.The more laps he drove, the more seconds he was able to make up on Verstappen. "Please don't fuck around, this would be your first win," I whispered to myself and could hear Lilly laughing next to me.

Lando was able to pull away more and more while Piastri got a message that he shouldn't crash as he seemed to be fighting with Riccardo for the better position. I really couldn't remember when I'd been so nervous. I stared intently at the screen and followed the camera, which only showed more Lando.

I didn't even realise how his whole team ran out to cheer for the Brits. It was only when I heard the presenter that I came back to reality. "Lando Norris is the winner of the Miami Grand Prix 2024!," he shouted and I started to cheer. Together with Lilly, I ran outside and cheered along with the team.

He had done it. Lando had scored his first victory! I was just about to go back into the pits with Lilly when it got too crowded and Zak stopped me. "Do you want to go to the award ceremony?," he asked me and I looked at him in shock. 'Lando said he'd like to have you there when he gets to the podium,' he laughed and I didn't need to be told twice.Of course I knew what this was really for, but I quickly pushed these thoughts aside.

Arriving at the barrier, I saw Lando from afar, lying in the arms of his team and celebrating. His face showed so many emotions that I couldn't describe myself.The joy and pride were clearly visible on the faces of the team members. Zak helped me find a way through the crowd to congratulate the Brits.

"Lando!," I shouted when I finally reached him. He turned to me and his face brightened when he saw me. "Eliza!," he called back and pulled me into a tight hug."I told you you'd make it!," I said as I realised the cameras were on us. "Don't get cheeky," the Brit warned me with a laugh, but he couldn't take himself seriously."Go on, get your trophy," I laughed and we broke away from each other again.
The award ceremony was awesome. I was in the middle of the team and cheered the driver as he took first place and the champagne attack, which he was known for, was not to be missed.I was on my way back to the pits with Clari who had braced me to continue celebrating Lando's victory when I heard my name. I looked to my right and recognised a few fans standing a little to the side. I quickly signalled to Clari that I was going there and she followed me."Hello there," I greeted her, somewhat perplexed.

"Eliza, we love your music!," shouted a young woman wearing a McLaren T-shirt and I looked at her in amazement. "You listen to my music? But I haven't released that much yet, have I?," I asked the group. "Still, your voice is really mega and your songs are really good. When is your next song coming out?," asked a slightly younger one.