Reviewing priorities - Sebastian Vettel

40. Future plans

Oh dear, what was today's race? 
I still think about the time we found out Seb was leaving Ferrari and we all were disappointed... now it seems like the best thing for him!

Anyways, thanks for your lovely words and for all your votes on this book! Much appreciated!
HB3112 x

The feeling Valeria got walking through the paddock in Abu Dhabi was the same feeling she had in school, on the last day. She couldn't believe how much her life had changed in the previous months.

'Did you use to do water balloon flights in school on the last day?'she asked Pietro, as she wrapped her arm around him; a habit she had picked up in the previous months as their relationship grew.

'Yeah, I used to hate it' he replied, laughing.

'It must be because you come from the mountains. Us sea people love to be wet' she replied.

'That's what she said' Giorgio interjected, joining them as they walked to the motorhome.

'you are a child.' She laughed, playfully punching him on the shoulder. 'as we are staying a few extra days for testing... do we get a party or something?' Valeria asked. 'because if we don't... can I organise anything?'

'there is usually something from F1, like... different games for the crews the night after the GP if that's what you mean'

'yeah, that could do' she replied, holding the door open for her friends to walk in. Valeria spotted Britta, Seb, Charles and Silvia at a table, deep in conversation. She grabbed her work phone and joined them.

'I can't believe this is the last time I'm saying this in 2019. And maybe forever. Welcome again to race week!' she started. She had tried to make her "briefings" a bit more interesting , since giving them all information about appointments and media duties over and over again was going to be mind numbing. 'Seb, Britta and I got you a couple of extra bits with the Dutch TV as you love it so much' the German gave her a small smile, even if he was trying to look annoyed. 'Charlie, as Sil and I know you love it too, I got you in the press conference with your fave Magnussen, who we know is and always will be stupid.' The Monegasque smirked. 'now, for the last time for 2019... please behave yourselves. I don't want to shout at you again' she smiled. The drivers looked at each other, a guilty look on their faces. They had both spoken to Mattia after the incident and seemed to be on good terms with one another. 'now, I have to go do some work, apparently. So, I'll see you boys and girls at the press conference.'she concluded. 'Arrivederci, Au revoir, Auf Wiedersehen' she said, waving her hand at the group.

'Do we know if she's got a job next year? Because I love her.' Britta said, watching her walk off.

'not sure, I think she mentioned she had a meeting with Mattia and Louis at some point this week' Seb shrugged. 'I believe she's being so extra in case she doesn't come back next year' he concluded. 'worse comes to worse, I'll just get her around the garage anyways'

The paddock had already started filling with people, Valeria zigzagged her way through through a crowd of journalists, to get to her meeting. She sat down, politely chatting to the other PR people in the room. The classic 'can't believe it's over, it felt like yesterday we were in Australia' was being shared around the room.

Valeria nodded along to what was being said, she was just happy the season had drawn to an end. She walked out of the room to join Silvia and Charles at the first of the press events. It must have been the feeling of the last week at school, but every appointment she had in her calendar seemed to pass really quickly and before she could realise she found herself out of the paddock again, Seb holding her hand and telling her a story about his first time in Abu Dhabi.