Chapter 34

I spent Wednesday either at the gym or on the sim before my flight that night. Trying to focus on myself and doing well this weekend in Austria. Also trying to keep my mind off of Lando. Which is proving to be extremely difficult. After I shovel some food into my system I quickly check my already packed back pack that I have everything before grabbing my suitcase and making my way to the Uber waiting for me.

I climb onto the plane followed by the team. A few minutes later Max plops down into the seat next to me. "How are you doing?" He asks me. "I'm ok. It's been rough this past week, I will be honest. But this weekend is going to be interesting but I think I'm ready. This weekend is going to be great." I say with a relatively convincing smile, mainly trying to convince myself of that statement. "That's the spirit. Positive energy, even though I know that's not always my first option." Max says, making us both laugh. "Yeah, I understand. This sport sometimes can bring the worst out of us." I admit, referring back to some of my junior series races.

Max and I talk for a few more minutes before we are alerted that we are about to take off. I place my headphones on and play music the whole flight. Not focusing on anyone or anything else.

~

I change into my Red Bull team gear and grab my backpack already packed with everything I need for today. I walk to my car for this weekend, ready to go to the track.

I scan my paddock pass and walk through the paddock, past the yelling photographers and made a bee line for the Red Bull garage. I walk in, greeting my engineers and Max before getting to work for free practice.

~

After three very successful free practice sessions. With me being in the top four in all three. I'm more than ready for the qualifying session ahead of me. I place my headphones on the counter behind me before grabbing my baklava and helmet, slipping them on before climbing into the car.

Finally the time for q3 has arrived. I pull out the garage after my fuel stop. "Four minutes remaining. Enough time for an out lap and maybe two fast laps." Gareth says through the comms. "Copy." I reply, focusing on warming up my tyres before speeding off on a quick lap.

"That was amazing. P3, Hannah! P3!" Gareth says. "Yes! Yes boys, great job!" I yell back, happy with my result. I park my car behind the P3 sign, behind Max on pole and Bottas in second. Max walks over and high fives me. "Yes Hannah, do you know how strong this makes you look. After the drama you still manage top three. That's fantastic." Max says to me before pulling me into a hug. "Thanks Max. That means a lot." I say with a small smile, even though he can't see it. We talk a little longer before we move off for interviews.

After all the interviews, I make my way into the paddock, on my way to the Red Bull garage. "Hey Hannah, right?" I hear from next to me. I look up from my phone. "Yes that's me. Hi, how are you." I greet Madison with a smile. "I'm great and you?" He asks. "I'm ok. Great quali but this past week has been rough." I say. "Oh yes, Lewis did tell me of what happened. I'm really sorry, you guys seemed so happy together." She sighs. "Yeah, but I'm just taking some time to myself and then we are going to talk. So, you and Lewis?" I ask changing the subject.

"Yeah, we haven't been going out for too long, about two months, but he is so amazing. I bumped into him while I was walking down the road actually and he asked me out." She says with a smile. "That's so cute." I reply. "We should go for coffee sometime. I feel that we could be great friends" Madison suggests. "That sounds like a great idea." I reply just as Lewis appears behind her.

"What's are you two chatting about?" He smiles, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Nothing much." She replies, kissing his cheek. "Well done today Hannah, that was great." Lewis says, giving me a fist bump before saying they have to go. "Bye Hannah." They say pretty much in sync.

I say goodbye to them before making my way back to the Red Bull garage. The two of them making me feel just a little bit sad. Seeing them so close like that. "No Hannah. He hurt you, you can't go running back because you miss him. You got to take time for yourself. Then talk to him." I say repeating some of Tayla's advice to myself, hoping that it will stick.

"You are right. You know that?" I hear from next to me, my heart jumps from the scare but I turn to find Sebastian walking instep with me. "It's ok to miss him." He says and we both stop walking. "It's normal but you are right. Make sure you give yourself some time to process and recover and then think about talking to him." Seb says too me. "Oh and well done today." He says, placing his hand on my shoulder. "Thanks Seb, that all means a lot coming from you." I say and he leans in, giving me a hug. "Anytime." He smiles before walking off.

I make my way into my garage. I'm surrounded by my team all yelling and excited for the race tomorrow. I laugh as the jumping and yelling eventually dies down. I high five them before moving to go shower and get changed.