Three Dumb Ideas | Formula 1 fanfiction

114: I was never ready

ONE YEAR LATER

Max's point of view.

'We are here with Max Verstappen a year after one of the worst crashes in history. The crash of Maeve Vettel, your old teammate and girlfriend', the interviewer says. 'Max, can you remember anything of that day? What is something that comes to mind when you think of that dark Sunday?'

I clear my throat, ready to let the words roll out. 'In a perfect world, I would've known she crashed. In a perfect world, I would've parked my car. In a perfect world, I would've jumped out and saved her. In a perfect world I would have been George and Maeve would have been Zhou during Silverstone 2022. But this is not a perfect world. I live in a world where I am surrounded by fans who support me and haters who bring me down. I should've run to her like in a Wattpad story. In a perfect world, I would've saved her, stayed with her then perhaps she would still be driving next to me now. But it's not a perfect world, I did what I had to do, I did what I was told to do, get a podium, be world champion. That day cost me everything, sometimes even my will to live', I say.

'Stop it, Verstappen. You talk as if I'm dead. I'm here, little Seb is here', Maeve holds up little Sebastian and gives him a kiss. 'Let's hope you turn out like your mommy and not like dada'.

I chuckle and she resumes the conversation. 'You are an amazing father and an amazing husband. I'm alive, Max. You did what you had to do. Truth is, I was never ready to be world champion, it showed, crashing over something as dumb as a branch. You were ready, Max. I'm so proud of you, I really am'.

'You didn't tell me that when u gave birth', I laugh. 'Also, don't make me say this to you again, you were worthy of that championshi-'

'Don't fight me, Verstappen'

---

three months ago

The room was filled with the sound of Maeve's heavy breaths and by the occasional encouragement from the doctors and nurses bustling around us. I held her hand tightly, trying to offer some strength as she pushed through the pain. The memories of the crash still felt fresh, the image of her car tumbling and the smoke filling the air a haunting reminder of how close I came to losing her. Now, seeing her like this, it was both a relief and a challenge.

'Shut up, Max', she gasped between contractions, a flicker of her usual sass shining through the pain. I couldn't help but chuckle, even though my heart was racing. 'What's so funny?', she shot back, eyes narrowing, though a hint of a smile sneaked onto her face.

'Just thinking about how tough you are. I mean, you survived a crash that would have taken out anyone else, and now you're bringing our kid into the world. You're incredible, you know that?', I replied, trying to keep the mood light. But the truth was, watching her go through this while also recovering from her injuries was a teaumatic experience. I had seen her struggle in the months after the crash, the physical therapy sessions, the moments of frustration when she couldn't do something as simple as walk without pain. She had fought so hard to get here, and I admired her even more for it.

She let out another groan, and I squeezed her hand, leaning closer. 'You've got this, Maeve. Just focus on me. We're almost there'. I could see the determination in her eyes, battling against the pain.

'I swear if you don't stop talking...' she panted, her face scrunching up in concentration.

'Okay, okay, I'll shut up', I said, raising my hands in mock surrender. 'But you know I'm right here, right? You're not alone'.

A few more pushes, and the air shifted. I could feel it, the anticipation, the weight of the moment. 'You're doing amazing, Maeve', I whispered, just as the doctor announced that it was time to meet our baby.

With one final, powerful push, the cries of our child filled the room. It was a sound that brought tears to my eyes, a relief that flooded through me. I looked at Maeve, and she was radiant despite the exhaustion, her face softening as she turned to me.

'Look at what we did', she said, her voice shaky but filled with joy.

I nodded, utterly overwhelmed. 'You're a warrior, Maeve. I'm so proud of you'.

As they placed our baby in her arms, the weight of the world felt like it had lifted. We were here together, despite everything, and I knew we would face whatever came next as a family.

'Welcome to the world, little Sebastian Max Mev Verstappen', I cry-smiled.

'You do know we're getting married now right?', Maeve laughed.

'Mrs. Verstappen, in my heart you already are my wife', I smiled.

---

Maeve's point of view.

'Maeve, you must understand that I have to ask this. It was a 65g crash, how did you survive? How did everything go? How did your life change?', the interviewer asks.

I take a deep breath before answering, feeling the weight of everything I'm about to share. The interviewer's question isn't unexpected, people have been wondering how I'm even here, alive and sitting across from them, especially with a three-month-old son by my side.

'Surviving that crash...', I pause, gathering my thoughts, feeling both grateful and emotional. 'I honestly don't have one clear answer for that. There were so many things that lined up just right and I'm lucky beyond words. The car's safety systems, the halo, my team's quick response by getting me out, every single piece of safety technology worked to protect me'.

'I was lucky that the fire was out on time, bystanders who used fire extinguishers to help me, I don't have a single burn'. I look down, a small smile tugging at my lips. 'But I think having something else, someone else, there with me made me hold on. My son, Sebastian, who was with me that whole time, probably kept me alive in more ways than one', I laugh, knowing how insane it sounds.

The interviewer nods, glancing at the small baby now nestled in a carrier just off to the side. 'And you didn't even know about him during the race, right?'

I laugh softly, shaking my head. 'No, not at all. I'd been having symptoms, but I thought it was the stress of the season. The test I did also came back negative, it was weird', I pause, eyes lingering on my son. 'In a way, he had a seatbelt of his own, if that's possible. I didn't know it then, but my body was holding onto him with everything it had. Even through the crash, the impact, somehow, he was protected'.

'And how did recovery go for you?', the interviewer asks gently.

I take another steadying breath. 'Recovery was... hard. More than I can explain. I had multiple fractures and internal injuries, and I went through months of rehab, retraining my body to do everything again. I was healing while pregnant, and that made things... complicated. Every move, every stretch, every bit of progress was a little tougher with him growing at the same time. But honestly, it was also a reason to keep going. I wanted to be ready for him'.

The interviewer nods, in amazement. 'And now that you're here, do you see yourself racing again?'

'Maybe', I say, glancing down with a soft smile. 'I've just been cleared to start training again, so who knows? I'd love to get back on track, but right now my focus is on being here for Sebastian and enjoying every moment with him'.

With the interview winding down and him congratulation Max on this years championship, I look over at my son, feeling all the emotions of this journey. The pain, the triumph, the unknowns, it all brought me here. And sitting here now, with him in my life, I wouldn't change a thing.