Chapter 50

After very successful practice sessions it's almost time for qualifying. "Hannah. Your family is outside." I hear. "Ok thank you." I smile and walk outside. "Hi guys." I greet my family. "Hannah! Thanks so much for getting us tickets like this. It's really amazing." My uncle says. "Of course, you're my family." I say. My mom and aunt are here along with my brother, uncle and two of my cousins. Since I could only get 6 tickets. "So are you excited?" My mom asks. "Yes and very nervous." I say with a nervous laugh. I suddenly feel an arm wrap around my torso. The familiar scent of my boyfriend surrounds me. "Hi baby, hi everyone." Lando says from next to me. "Hi Lan." I smile. Lando shakes the hands of my family before moving back to my side.

We chatted for a few more minutes before Lando and I had to leave. I hugged my family and Lando and then moved into my garage, preparing for qualifying for my home Grand Prix.

After the final preparations I jump onto the car and eventually make my way onto the track.

"Ok Final car for Q1. P2"

"Final car crosses. P3"

I peel out the final corner, preparing for my final quick lap for Q3. Remembering everything I learnt in practise. Where to break, what parts of the track to avoid and with out traffic at all I cross the line after what feels like an amazing lap. "Hannah. Just wait a moment for all cars to finish." Gareth says.

After what feels like forever. "I hope you're sitting down. P1! Congratulations!" I hear Gareth say. "You're joking. Yes!! Yes boys! At home! Well done guys! Thank you so much! This is amazing!" I say, a massive smile on my face.

I park behind the P1 sign. The excitement growing in my stomach. As I lift the steering wheel out and stand up on top of my car and posing for the cameras. I jump off the car and run over to my team. They all cheer in excitement. My first pole position and it's at home. I take off my helmet and grab some water before waving to the fans. They all scream, causing my smile to grow at their support. After a while I'm called for my interview.

"Hannah. That was an amazing lap. A purple lap for that matter and your first pole position which is on home soil. How are you feeling?"

"I'll be honest I have no idea how I'm feeling. Shocked. Excited. Happy. I might just have to pinch myself. But yeah I'm really thankful for the amazing team behind me and the amazing fans." I say and they yell. "But points are awarded tomorrow." I say. "Yes, What's your strategy for tomorrow?" The interviewer asks. "I'm going to try my best and hopefully still be in front after turn one" I say with a smile on my face. "Sounds like a plan. Good luck Hannah." The interviewer says. "Thank you." I smile before walking off.

"Hannah!" I hear familiar voices yell from behind me in the paddock. I turn around to find Lando, George, Alex and Charles all barreling towards me. They eventually reach me and tackle me in a group hug. "Well done!" "That's amazing." "Your lap was awesome." I hear from them. "Thanks guys." I smile and they pull away. We talk for a while and they complement me on my pole before we split up, except for Lando. "Well done today Baby. You make me so proud." Lando says, making a smile appear on my face. "I'm proud of you too mrP3." I say. "I love you." I continue. "I love you too." Lando says and quickly kisses me before I walk into the briefing room, leaving him behind.

~

After many interviews and fan meet and greets. Signing so many different things and meeting too many people I make my way to my driver room. Preparing myself for the race I quickly run through the grid. I'm first with Max behind me. Then it's Lando, Lewis, Charles, Daniel and Valtteri.

I slip on my headphones and prepare myself for the race. Getting into the zone and ready to race. I'm a little nervous, starting from pole but I have done this many times in F2 and F3 so I will be fine.

I slip into my car and the engineers clear the track. The adrenaline coursing through my veins. We complete the formation lap, I weave to get temperature into my tyres. I slow down before getting to the fed so I don't wait forever. I stop the car in the first grid slot and await the red lights.

The red lights shut off and I push on the accelerator. Speeding down the straight. I spot max on the inside and give him the space needed but not too much as I keep the lead into turn one.

"Box box Hannah." I hear Gareth say. "You have a 15  second gap to max." He informs me and I speed up for my in lap before peeling into the pits. I slip into the pit box and it feels too long. The light goes green and I move the car back into the pit lane. "Time?" I question. "3.1." Gareth says. "Damn." I say to myself as I exit the pitlane. Just as I speed up I see Max and Lando come past me. "Damn it." I say and speed up so I'm on their tails. 

I'm right behind Lando for the next two laps looking for a gap and on the main straight, my DRS activates and I am able to speed past him. "Well done Hannah. There are 6 laps left." He confirms.

I lost time to Max while I was fighting Lando so I try to catch up to Max as quickly as possible and I do on the second last lap. I catch a slipstream the whole way and through the second last corner I go for it. I lunge next to him on turn 15 and as we speed down to the final corner I gain on him. Inching ahead.

We turn the final corner

I'm ahead

I cross the line

still ahead