Chapter 39

Lando and I rush over to the room. Blankets and pillows everywhere. Except for one. The one in George's hands, slowly being dropped from the now shattered TV. "Why?" I ask, upset as I inspect the room. No other damage was done. Good thing I keep all my stuff packed away. "We will pay for the tv." Nicholas says softly. "Yeah you are." I say with a shocked laugh before looking at Lando. We watch Nicholas and George trudge out the room, both saying how sorry they are and that they are going to pay for the tv right now.

Lando turns to face me, shock covering his face. "You want to stay in my room tonight?" Lando suggest. "Please." I say and he laughs. I grab all my stuff, messily throwing it into my bags before making our way to Lando's room.

~

Lando and I take photos with the fans and sign a bunch of things as we walk into the paddock. A few of them call me names but I ignore them. After all these years of being called horrible names I have learnt to block them out. After a while Lando and I continue to walk through the paddock. Sharing a hug before splitting off into our garages and preparing for free practice.

~

After lots of hard work during the free practices, I finished in the top 5 in all three sessions. I'm ready for the qualifying session ahead of me. Grabbing my headphones, I prepare for qualifying.

"Ok Hannah, you have enough time for two more quick laps. Push." Gareth says and I reply "Copy." Before concentrating and getting on with the task at hand.

After my two timed laps I hear my radio. "Yes Hannah. P2!Well done!" Gareth yells. "Yes boys. Points tomorrow. Come on!" I yell back. "Max P1! You guys lock out the front row." Gareth says. "Yes! Amazing!" I say my wife smile hidden behind my helmet.

I pull up behind the p2 sign on the track, before making my way to the FIA to get weighed. I high five my team quickly before being called for my interview.

"P2, your best ever qualifying position. How are you feeling?" The interviewer asks. "Wow. It's an amazing feeling. Especially at a track to historic as this one. I'm really happy and proud of my team and all the work we have done leading up to this weekend." I say, answering a few more questions before moving off.

I grab some water before walking into the paddock. Instantly I'm swarmed by my friends. All cheering around me. After a while the noise dies down. "Well done Hannah." Alex says. "Yeah, that was great." Charles adds. "We are all very proud of you." George says. "Thanks guys. You all did well too." I say with a smile. "I'm the most proud of you though." Lando says, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind me. Placing his chin on my shoulder.

"Simp." Charles says, pretending to cover it with a cough. The others laugh, I smile a little at them. "Thanks babe." I smile and turn a little to kiss his cheek. The other boys pretend to gag. "Hey I didn't do that when you all had girlfriends. Can you be happy for me for once." Lando jokingly complains. The other boys laugh before we all make our way back to our teams.

After a quick debrief and a shower I make my way into the paddock and hear from behind me. "What's up my china?" I hear from behind me. "What?" I ask as I turn around to face Lando. "Howzit?" He continues. I place my hands on my face. "You watched the slang video I filmed with Max, didn't you?" I ask, knowing the answer. "Aweh, it was lekker." He says, badly pronouncing the words. I giggled at him. "You are such a chop, you know that." I say and he grabs my hand, leading us to the paddock gates. "Maybe, but I'm your chop." He continues with a smile, making me shake my head.

~

I park my car in the P2 slot, complicating the formation lap. A few moments later the red lights turn on.  I watch them out the corner of my eye and as soon as they snap off, I'm instantly in first gear and speeding my way to turn one. Just having to yield to Max as he pushes past me but I make sure to close off, keeping second place.

After a good pit stop I'm sitting in 4th and the time has come for me to lap the back markers.  I move along the track, Mazepin coming into view. The blue flags are waved but yet he stays on the racing line. I try to get past him but I don't want to ruin my tires.

"What the frick is this guy doing?" I yell into my radio. I go on the outside of him into one of the turns but he doesn't run enough and just hits me, spinning me around into the gravel, almost hitting the wall. "Are you fucking kidding me. What the fuck is this idiot doing?" I yell on my radio, trying to get my car into gear again. "Fuck! It's gone." I admit on the radio. "Ok Hannah. We will take that up with the FIA." Gareth says. "You better else I'm going there myself." I say, anger flowing through me as the safety car is launched and I stay in my car, waiting for the signal I can get out.

I storm off the track into the medical car which will take me back to the paddock. I try to calm my rage on the way back. Silently I make my way to my driver room, changing into my team gear and going for some interviews.

After managing to dodge some questions about the incident I make my way to the garage. The last 5 laps and Lando is currently second and he is on Max's tail. My heart rate starts to climb as the two get closer.