On the grid (Lando Norris fanfic)

Chapter 9

Hi everyone. I just want to say thanks so much for all the amazing support on this book. I really enjoying writing it and I'm glad you enjoy reading it. 😊
__________________________
"And here is a look at today's starting grid. We have Lewis Hamilton on pole and Max Verstappen behind him in second. Valteri Bottas is in third with Sainz in fourth and his team mate lando norris behind him in fifth. Hannah Van Staden on her formula one debut qualified in sixth followed by Charles Leclerc in seventh."

~

As I walk into the paddock all I can hear is the fans yelling and screaming, at some of the drivers but mainly at each other. I head straight towards the Red Bull garage. I see a familiar face walk up to me. "Hi Lando." I say with a smile and wrap him in a long hug. "Hi. How are you feeling?" He asks. "I'm quite nervous but I'm sure it will subside when I drive." I say and he smiles. "I was the same when I started last year." Lando says with a smile which comforts me.

"You're staying till Tuesday right?" Lando asks. "Yes. Why?" I ask. "George, Alex, Charles and I are going out for dinner tomorrow night. Would you like to come with?" He asks. "That would be great. Where are w-"

"Hey Hannah!" I hear which makes me stop. I turn around to see two guys from F2, they both have a sly smile on their faces and I can already tell what's going to happen. I sigh and one opens his mouth to say something but I cut him off. "Please stop. I honestly don't have time for your sexist remarks because your small ego's have been damaged. They aren't funny and just make you look like a horrible person. Making fun of me is not going to help you make friends or gain a following so please leave me alone, I don't want to talk to either of you." I say and turn around leaving them standing there in shock. Lando high fives me as I walk past him away from the guys.

I take a deep breath, calming my nerves before turning back to Lando. "That was great. I'm proud that you stood up to them. I'm surprised those two still have a seat." Lando says with a smile. That puts a small smile on my face. "Yeah, they have been tough to deal with over the last few years but I'm just glad I finally worked up the courage to do that." I say. "Well I'm proud of you." Lando smiles. "Thanks but I have to go before I get in trouble. Good luck I'll see you on the track." I say to lando and smile. The urge to kiss him again grows but I suppress it. I hug him and wave goodbye as I walk into the Red Bull garage and find Max waiting by the door for me. "Aren't you two cute." He says with a smile. "Shut up, we are just friends." I smile and playfully push him. He laughs at my response.

Max follows me like a puppy all the way to my driver room. "Would you like to say something?" I ask him and he shakes his head no. I roll my eyes with a smile and open the door to my room. I gasp as my eyes fall on my parents sitting on the couch. "This room is a little bigger than I imagined." My dad says with a smile. "Oh my gosh. What are you guys doing here?" I ask as I walk over and hug them. "We couldn't miss your first formula one race. Plus we got these super cool hats." My mom says and shows me a Red Bull baseball cap with my driver number on it. "When did I get merch?" I turn around asking Max. "They were released to the public last week. Didn't Kaylee tell you?" Max asks confused. "You know what she might have mentioned something about that but I was in the middle of a workout so I wasn't exactly listening." I say with a laugh. "Ok we are going to watch from the hospitality suite. Good luck, I love you." My dad says and I hug them both before they walk out leaving me to prepare for the race.

My nerves have built up over the past few days and now my stomach is full of butterflies. A lady offers to take my headphones from me. Thanking her as I hand them to her. I take deep breaths hoping to calm my nerves as I walk back to the car which has been wheeled out to the track already. As I walk I braid my hair into my signature braid, I always braid it the same way. It's simple and keeps my hair tidy. I smile at lando as I pass his team. Taking one last sip from the can of Red Bull in my hands before grabbing my helmet and baklava. I slip into the car and someone holds an umbrella over my head since it is extremely hot on track. My excitement and adrenaline almost completely overtake my nervousness and I'm ready to race. its kind of daunting, racing against some of my heroes that I have looked up to for years. As the teams clear the track we take off for the formation lap.