the IT girl

Day at the British Grand Prix

The morning of the British Grand Prix was buzzing with excitement. The sun was shining, the air electric with the roar of engines and the chatter of fans flooding into Silverstone. This race was always special for Lando—it was his home race. But this year, it felt even more meaningful as he had Lily and Gemma by his side.

Lily had dressed Gemma in a mini McLaren shirt with "Norris" printed on the back, paired with tiny noise-canceling headphones in bright orange. She looked like the perfect little team supporter.

"Ready for your big day, champ?" Lando asked, crouching down to Gemma's level as she climbed into his arms.

"Ready!" Gemma giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Lily grabbed her tote bag, a mix of essentials for Gemma and snacks for the long day ahead. "We're going to need coffee to survive all the attention you'll be getting," she teased, giving Lando a playful nudge.

As they walked through the paddock, heads turned. Fans and team members alike lit up at the sight of Lando with his little family. Some of the younger fans gasped in excitement, quickly reaching for their phones to snap pictures.

"Is that Gemma Norris?" one teenager whispered to her friend, causing Lily to stifle a laugh.

A McLaren staff member approached with a warm smile. "Lando, your family looks great! We've set up a private area for you near the garage if you need it."

"Thanks," Lando replied, adjusting Gemma on his hip. "Appreciate it."

As they continued walking, fans started gathering near the barriers.

"Lando! Lily! Can we get a photo?" a young woman called out, holding a McLaren cap and a marker.

Lando glanced at Lily. She smiled and gave him a little nod. "Sure, why not?"

They stopped for a few minutes, posing for pictures and signing autographs. Some fans handed over small gifts for Gemma, like plush toys and baby-sized F1 memorabilia.

"Look, Gem!" Lando said, showing her a tiny McLaren car someone had given them.

Gemma's eyes lit up. "It's me!" she exclaimed, mistaking the toy for herself.

The fans nearby laughed, charmed by her adorable reaction.

Once inside the McLaren garage, the noise of the crowd dimmed, replaced by the hum of mechanics and engineers prepping Lando's car.

Gemma sat on Lily's lap, her wide eyes taking in the colorful chaos of the garage.

"Is that Daddy's car?" she asked, pointing at the orange and blue machine.

"It sure is," Lily said, brushing Gemma's curls back.

Lando crouched next to them, pointing at the car. "That's what I'll be driving today. What do you think?"

"It's fast!" Gemma said with a big grin.

"Very fast," Lando agreed, kissing the top of her head.

Before the start of the race, Lando led Lily and Gemma to the grid for the pre-race festivities. The crowd was louder now, chanting and cheering for their favorite drivers. As they walked, photographers swarmed them, cameras clicking furiously.

"Lando! Over here!" one called out.

"Lily, Gemma, give us a smile!" another shouted.

Lily did her best to shield Gemma from the flashbulbs while keeping a calm demeanor.

"How do you handle this all the time?" she whispered to Lando.

"I've had practice," he joked, slipping an arm around her. "You're doing great."

As they reached the edge of the grid, several fans leaned over the barriers, calling out to Gemma.

"Gemma, we love you!"

The little girl waved shyly, tucking her face into Lando's neck.

"Looks like someone's already famous," Lily said, laughing softly.

When it was time for Lando to get into his car, Lily and Gemma found seats in the McLaren hospitality area, where they could watch the race on the big screens. Gemma clapped enthusiastically every time she saw her dad's car on the screen, her excitement contagious.

"Daddy's winning!" she exclaimed, even when he wasn't in the lead.

Lily smiled, her heart full as she watched her daughter cheer for Lando.

After the race, Lando rejoined them in the hospitality area, still buzzing from the adrenaline of the race. He had finished on the podium, and the celebration was in full swing.

Gemma ran to him as soon as he walked in. "Daddy, you were so fast!"

Lando scooped her up, grinning ear to ear. "That's right! Did you have fun watching?"

Gemma nodded vigorously. "Yes! But I'm hungry."

"Let's fix that," Lily said, taking her husband's hand.

As they left the paddock, more fans gathered around, asking for photos and congratulating Lando on his podium.

"Thank you, everyone!" Lando said, waving.

As they finally made it to their car, Lily looked at him, a mix of exhaustion and happiness in her eyes. "You really know how to turn a simple day into a spectacle, don't you?"

Lando laughed, leaning in to kiss her. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

Gemma giggled from her car seat, holding her new favorite toy—a tiny McLaren car. It had been a long, chaotic day, but for the Norris family, it was just another memorable chapter in their incredible journey together.