The Only One

Chapter 4 - Mr Bates

Grand Prix
Y/N POV

As my team and I pull up to the track practice I'm instantly swarmed by paparazzi, I put on my Mercedes team hat and put my sunglasses on as my security and team escorts me into the building.

"Well well, if it isn't Ryder Hamilton" a greasy haired businessman says loud as he approaches me and my team.

I give Max who's standing beside me a look to see if I need to remember this guy or not, he shakes his head making it clear that I've never met him before.

He smiles at us displaying his odd gold tooth,
Before sticking his hand out for me to shake.

"Y/N is just fine" I say to him as he moves over to shake Max hand.

"Well it's nice to finally meet the Y/N Ryder Hamilton, I tell you when I got the call saying you were going to be down here today I had to come and see it for myself" he says looking between me and Max.

"I'm sorry but, who are you?" Max asks the obvious.

"Ah yes sorry where are my manners, I am Michael Bates, Daniel Ricciardo's manager" he states proudly.

Of course my number one competitors manger decided to come today, I look over to Max and see him clenching his jaw.

"I didn't realise McLaren was practicing here today?" Max says bitterly, I place a hand on his shoulder to try and calm him down.

"Oh we're not, we just wanted to see the field before the big play" he says smirking a little.

"With all due respect I-" max begins to say and I can hear the rage building up in his voice.

"-But I think we should head out and get ready, it was nice meeting you Mr Bates" I say cutting Max off and dragging him away.

"This is so fucked, I'm going to call Ross, will you be okay?" Max complains and then turns to me to excuse him self.

"Yeah me and Bottas are gonna go find Wolff" I say reassuring him I'll be fine.

"Okay I'll see you two out there, good luck" he says sticking a thumbs up to us as he walks away.

"No Alycia?" Bottas asks me as we head out to the track.

"No she's still out filming, she'll be back the next day though so I'm going to pick her up and surprise her" I share easily with my teammate.

"That's adorable, thank you for the invite by the way, it came in yesterday" he thanks me.

"Of course your practically family" I tell him putting a hand on his shoulder as he smiles gratefully at me.

We finally step outside and my breath is taken away, this track is something else, I won my very first win here and I always practice here ever since, something about the road built here just makes me feel at home.

It's also where I met Alycia, so this place is extra special to me, they even have a full wall with my name on a plaque here, telling all the stories of my famous wins and how I became the number one formula1 racer in the world.

As we get closer to the pit stop I spot our team chief Toto Wolff, he's a great guy always the kind to have a smile on his face, I remember when I first joined the team and he gave me the best welcome you can get.

"How are my Mercedes champions?" He asks pulling us both into a hug.

"Well we were good two seconds ago until Michael Bates showed up" Bottas tells him as my crew and his get set up at the pits.