AND IT CONTINUES - Max Verstappen

5

At the start of the race, Daniella had a sinking feeling in her chest and no matter how much she tried it didn't fade away. Before the summer break, she was leading the championship but a couple of DNFs and bad races cost her the lead and now Max is leading. She also thought the car was getting better but after the free practice and qualifying session it proved otherwise.

Lewis was already out of the race because of an incident with Fernando in the first lap and now Daniella was struggling to get ahead of P4 but didn't have the pace to do so. It was already clear to everyone that Max was going to win even after the grid penalty but Daniella at least wanted to be on the podium by finishing P3.

It was not her day. No matter how much she tried to push the car and get closer to Carlos to overtake him it was not enough.

The sinking feeling became intense when she saw the chequered flag and crossed it after the Ferrari.

"Excellent effort Dani but there was nothing else that you could have done," Nate tried to make her feel better.

"Sorry guys... I tried my best," She replied.

"Dani, this is Toto," the team principal said on the radio. "Sorry about the car. This has not been a good week for us but we will come back strong."

"Let's hope so..."

***

Daniella went and congratulated her boyfriend who had a bright smile on his face after winning the race.

"P4 is not bad," Max hugged Daniella.

"A win would have been better," She smiled as she let go of Max before heading back to the Mercedes garage.

The atmosphere there was already a bit gloomy after how Lewis' race ended and Daniella failed to get a podium.

"You look like someone sucked all the happiness out of you," Myra commented as she pointed at Daniella's face and her expression. "Actually, you look like Toto right now."

"I hate finishing out of podium places," Daniella replied.

Lewis came over and gave her a quick hug before heading out to the media pen. He too didn't look happy.

***

Daniella could tell Charles was in a very bad mood when she saw him as she walked into the media pen. His race also didn't go well, another Ferrari strategy screw up and a five-second time penalty for speeding in the pit lane which brought him down from P5 to P6.

"You okay?" Daniella asked her friend as they both waited for their turns with the reporters.

"No," Charles bluntly replied. "You?"

"No," Daniella shook her head.

"At least your team did make a bad strategy call," He said in a low voice, sounding defeated and frustrated.

"My car is back to its tractor form so..."

"P4 is better than P6."

Before Daniella can argue more it was her turn for the interview and Myra pushed her forward without any warning, making Charles let out a small laugh

Myra already warned Daniella to answer the questions carefully since she was not in a good mood after the race and a slip of tongue could be costly.

Daniella did her best to remain polite and thoughtful throughout the interviews until before the last one. As she thought it was all over one last question was thrown at her.

"After the first lap incident, Fernando called Lewis an idiot and said he only knows how to start and drive from pole. What are your thoughts on that?" The interviewer asked Daniella.