On the grid (Lando Norris fanfic)

Chapter 31

I walk into the paddock, buzzing with photographers as today is media day. A couple snap photos of me and I throw up a peace sign along with a bright smile. Hopefully convincing the fans that I'm excited for the race.

Loud yelling begins to grow behind me. I turn around to see a whole bunch of photographers swarming someone as they walk through to the gate. Lewis appears with someone trailing behind him. He moves to the side to reveal a gorgeous girl. He lets her move through the turnstiles before he does. He grabs her hand and walks towards me. "Hey Hannah. What's up?" Lewis asks as he gets closer to me. "Not much man. The media is crazy." I comment and Lewis nods. "Yeah, I bet you have had your fare share of media swarms." The girl comments with a soft smile. "Tell me about it. I'm Hannah, by the way." I say, holding out my hand to her, introducing myself. "Madison. Hi." She smiles back. I raise my eyebrows at Lewis before turning around and walking on. "Don't give me that look, Van Staden." Lewis yells after me. I spin around and walk backwards, facing him. "I can do what I want, Hamilton." I yell back mockingly before walking into the Red Bull garage.

~

"Your press conference today is with Lando, Charles, Lance and George. The press will obviously continue to ask about your relationship but try and keep it to racing as much as possible." Kaylee says as we walk towards the press conference room. "Ok, sounds like it's going to be an interesting one." I say with a small smile as I fix my Red Bull cap onto my head, before walking into the room. "Hey boys, let's do this." I say, greeting the three guys at the table. "Lando is late." George says. "You must get that man of yours under control and on time." Charles laughs. "I doubt anyone could do that." Lance adds. "You're probably right." Charles admits and the three of them laugh. "Hey, you all are talking smack about my boyfriend and I'm right here." I say sitting down on my chair. They laugh and Lando runs in, looking disheveled.

His eyes meet mine and he smiles, walking over to us. "Move, Charles." Lando says to him, who is sitting next to me. "Bossy, aren't we." George says as Charles moves one chair over so Lando can sit next to me. "Hi." Lando smiles at me.  "A, that wasn't nice, apologize. B, hurry up next time. You can't always be late. C, Hi." I say with a small smile, Lando apologizes to Charles before the press conference begins.

A few questions in someone asks me a question. "Hannah, you recently went back to South Africa for a few days. Why?" One man asks. Lando places his hand on my thigh, showing me support. "Um it was my fathers funeral that I needed to attend. He passed away after a car accident. Which, I can now say, is also why I was late to Monaco." I say, my voice shaking a little. I look at Lando and him along with the other boys behind him offer me a supportive smile.

After many other questions along with the obvious "Hannah, has it sunk in yet that you are the first female South African in Formula one?" Or the ever popular "Hannah, have you found that your relationship with Lando has affected your racing?" But this one was a new one "Hannah, is your training program easier and shorter than the other drivers training since you are a girl?" That question almost made me choke on the water I was drinking.

The other boys looked at me, shocked at that question. "No, actually. I have seen her training program and it's pretty much the same as mine." Lando says, answering for me. "So no. My training is not easier because I am a girl." I say. "In fact, I think she spends more time in the gym than some of us." Charles says. "Oh yeah. She definitely does, and on off weekends as well. Training hard." Lance adds. "And some of the stuff I've seen her do, I don't think I could ever do that." George says. I smile at them, thanking them for sticking up for me. After that question they thought it was best to end the press conference there.

We walk out and the next string of drivers walk in. "How could someone ask a question like that?" George asks aloud as we walk out, back into the paddock. "That was unbelievable." Charles added. "You're ok right?" Lando asks me, grabbing my hand in his. I smile. "Yeah I'm fine. It's just shocking that people actually think that I don't train hard and that I waltzed in here because I'm a girl. In fact it's the opposite. The amount of hard work I have put into be here. The extra hours. The comments I have had to move past and ignore. Everything." I sigh. Lando stops me and gives me a hug. The other boys stop walking and all wrap me up in a group hug. "I love you all. You are amazing friends." I say from the middle of the pile. "We love you too Hannah." They say back in unison. I laugh and enjoy the hug.

Eventually we move off, back to our garages. "Wait Han!" I hear Lando yell. I turn around. Facing him. "You sure you're ok?" He asks concerned. "Yeah I'm fine. Stop worrying, I'll see you later." I say, giving him a small kiss before moving into my garage.