Forever and always

Chapter eight

Olivia's pov

March 2021

Race day, a day that's important and very exciting. Today is the first race of the 2021 season in Bahrain. Yesterday at qualifying Max got pole position which was amazing, the first pole of the year. I'm so proud of my brother, I really am.

I have just taken a shower and got myself ready. Today I'm wearing a pair of beige high waisted pants, a matching blazer and a tight white crop top. Then I threw some white Nike Air force on, I really liked this outfit. Then I wore a few pieces of jewelry and my hair was just straightened as usual. It was soon time to head out, and go to the track. Today I chose to go there myself. Max was already at the track getting ready for the race.

I left the hotel room, because of my stupid fears of elevators I then walked towards the staris. My room was on the fourth floor so it wasn't too bad to walk down. As I left the hotel I walked the short distance to the track. It was actually really nice to walk alone with music in my airpods, just zoning out for a bit, before my nerves are getting tested later. I always get so nervous when it's race day, I have a fear that everytime I see Max step into his car, that will be the last time I will ever see him. I know I shouldn't think like that, but it is a dangerous sport he does, and we have unfortunately seen a few serious accidents over the years..

I arrived at the track, I took my vip access pass from my bag and wore it around my neck, then I entered the paddock. The media was taking pictures of me, which was fine. I have gotten used to it, and I can't avoid it, being daughter of a former f1 driver and sister of a current f1 driver, plus being an instagram personality. So the media knows me pretty well.

"Olivia" someone approached me all of a sudden. "Yeah?" I said and turned around, I didn't know who the person was, all I knew was that I had a camera in my face. "What do you think, can your brother Max win the first race of the season today?" the man asked and lifted a microphone to my mouth. "I think with the right strategy he can, the car is amazing" I was still in shock that he just came up to me like that, I'd never experienced anything like that before. I then walked away, because dad had always taught me if I don't want to be interviewed I shall just leave. So that's what I did. I walked into the red bull hospitality, where I saw Checo sitting with Carola.. "Hey guys, have you seen Max anywhere?" I asked as I walked up to them. "Hey Olivia, yeah I saw him going into his drivers room a few minutes ago" Checo said and smiled. "Thank you!" I then walked towards his driver's room.

I knocked at the door, and it opened a few seconds later. "Olivia honey, hi" I saw my dad standing there, I haven't seen him since forever, I pulled him into a tight hug. "Hi papa!".. I walked into the room, where Max was sitting on the little couch with his phone. "Hi Max, ready for the race?" I padded him on his shoulders as he was sitting there in silence with his phone. "oh yeah, sorry- I'm ready" he said and stood up to give me a hug. "I have to leave, I gotta do the last interviews before getting ready" he said and sled his phone into his pocket, then he walked out of the room.

"Is everything alright with him, he seems a bit off?" I asked as I was now standing here with only my dad. "He's fine, you know how he gets before a race".. "Daaad, did you give him one of our speeches?" I looked at him intensely. "Maybe? He can handle it, you know that".. Our dad is no doubt the best and most supportive dad on the planet, but when it comes to Max being in formula one, he can be intense being around. He usually gives Max these hard speeches before a race, that makes Max even more stressed out, and I know he hates it. "Can't you please make a motivating speech next time? instead of the ones that make him feel even more pressured than he already are. you know he is more than capable of winning without your harsh words!" I said, I never actually talked like this to him, but I have had enough, Max doesn't deserve these little speeches anymore, not when he hates it so much. He looked surprised at me. "I will try.." he shortly and coldly answered and opened the door, and then we walked into the garage together.

After a few hours it was time, time for the race!! The formation lap started and the engines of the cars were loud, but it was such a beautiful sound. Max led everyone through the formation lap, with the two Mercedes behind him.. In turn 12 Perez had stopped, he returned to pit and had to start from pitlane..

"Its lights out and away we go!" For the first time this season the words were said over the speakers. Dad and I watched the race from the back of the garage which was really nice..

Max led the race into turn one, but Mazepin spun off track and a safety car was called. At the third lap the safety car was waved off, and the race could start again, Max led the race again. Hamilton was pushing but luckily didn't get past him. - Only one lap later Pierre lost his frontwing and was now in the back, and it was time for a virtual safety car. The virtual safety car was over quick, and once again the race began. On the seventh lap Max set the fastest time. We cheered in the garage, it was good.

Halfway through the race Max and Lewis battled like crazy it was really exciting but nerve wracking too. On the 34th lap Alonso was out of the race, because of a rear-brake issue.

With 14 laps to go, Lewis led the race, but Max was getting closer and closer with his fresh tyres. He had a hard time trying to overtake Lewis. "Come on boy!" Dad yelled excitedly from inside the garage.. With only six laps to go, it was hard to watch, come on Max!.

The team just told Max to leave it up to him, as he was getting closer to Lewis again.. Max got drs on Lewis, but it didn't help much, he couldn't overtake which was unfortunate. Lewis crossed the line first, with Max right behind him. It wasn't a win for him today, but he made second place which is really amazing too, I'm so proud of him. He did well, he showed how competitive the car is this season.

Max got out of his car and walked towards the red bull crew, where dad and I were standing as well, he went to hug us all. He was happy but not satisfied. "Congrats Max, you did amazing out there!" I said and smiled big while padding him on his helmet while we hugged. "Thanks Oli!" he said and went to hug dad as well. Dad was proud but disappointed at the team, he thought they should have laid out a better strategy. 

After interviews and all that stuff, it was podium time. Valtteri came out first as he made it to the third place, then Max on second and lastly the race winner Lewis. The British national anthem was playing loudly in the speakers, because he is British, afterwards the German was played because Mercedes is german. They got their trophies and then it was time to celebrate by spraying champagne on each other, it always looks so much fun.

After the podium, everyone had post race interviews with different channels.

A few hours later everything that had to be done was done. And I had agreed on going out with Lando, Charles, Carlos, Alex, George, Daniel, Lily, Isabell and Luisa to celebrate. Max was out celebrating with some of the others. It was so much fun being out with all these amazing people, everyone was happy after a good day, some of them have had a better day than others because of the different results, but that didn't affect the happy atmosphere at the club we were at, all night long. I got to dance with Charles again, which was fun, and the first time since Madrid. Carlos was looking at us the whole time, and I know what he is planning, I also know that the plan won't work out, I'm not interested in Charles, or anyone else at the moment, not after everything I just experienced. My trust issues could never move on that quickly. But we had a great night which is all that mattered.

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(1637 words)

What did you think about how I described the race? Was it alright? Anyway I hoped you liked this chapter, which is already the eighth chapter, wow. I think I'm gonna switch a bit between writing like this with a lot of f1 content, and some chapters with a little less f1 content like some of the others. What do you think? Will a good mix of those be enjoyable to read?

Anyway thanks for reading all the way through<3