Snapception

"Dan, Dan, get your Aussie ass over here now you have GOT to see this!!"

Daniel followed the sounds of shouting and laughter out into the garage where he found his engineers and pit crew gathered around a laptop doubled up with mirth.

"Alright you bastards, what's going on"

"God man you KNOW you've had a good season when the girls start writing stories about you". This was Matt, taller and fairer, but just as tanned as Daniel, he punched him playfully on the arm before swiftly ducking the return swipe.

"Wait WHAT???? GIVE ME THAT!"

Dan snatched the laptop and sprinted towards one of the backrooms with the others in hot pursuit. Finally reaching sanctuary he turned and attempted to lock the door behind him but the others were having none of it and burst through en masse like a rugby scrum.

"Those familiar dark curls...that generous mouth...!!!" They collapsed again, tears rolling down their cheeks.

Blushing furiously Dan finally managed to manhandle them out of the room and set the laptop down on the table.

'Snap Happy: A Daniel Ricciardo Story' he read in amazement.

A couple of pages in and he was thoroughly embarrassed, secretly flattered, as red as an Englishman on holiday, and truth be told beginning to enjoy himself.

"Dan! Come on mate, you're here to race not to read and we've got work to do!"

Dan jumped out of his chair like he'd sat on a hedgehog and ran to the door, opening it wide to be faced with Christian Horner who was trying (unsuccessfully) to hide a smirk.

"Time to get you into the car, you can catch up on your Chick-Lit later Daniella"

Frantically pulling on his overalls, Dan hurried back through to the garage, trying to ignore the wolf whistles and the kisses that were being blown his way from his ever-supportive team mates. With a final hand gesture in their direction he climbed into the cockpit and allowed them to strap him in before pulling out into the pit lane and heading for the track beyond.

****

"The lights are out at Silverstone and it's a FLYING start from Daniel Ricciardo in the 3rd placed Red Bull, he's down the inside of the two Mercedes cars as they turn in to Abbey..."

The rest of the race passed in a blur from that moment on as Daniel tried desperately to maintain his composure and concentration while facing the very real prospect of an almost lights-to-flag victory for the first time in his career.

I wonder what they're going to write about me now he thought fleetingly as he took the chequered flag, arms aloft in triumph.

Waiting for the others to finishing being weighed and briefed, his mind went back to the most recent chapter.

I can't believe I actually did that he groaned to himself, before giving himself a mental slap in the face followed swiftly by a real one.

You DRONGO its a fecking story not a news report! It's FICTION! IT'S NOT REAL!!

Climbing on to the top step of the podium that famous smile was as wide as a Red Bull motorhome and equally shiny. As he gazed down through the champagne bubbles to the crowds below he suddenly spotted a camera being wielded by a tall young woman with a brunette bob from which a single curl was beginning to escape...