No Going Back (Nyck de Vries X OC)

Gaining ground in London (Race 2)

"Well you are the driver and it is my job to make sure everything is perfect for you," Kai reads my mind. His response manages to get a giggle from me. After an hour and fifteen minutes of doing various bits and pieces, the time has come for the group qualifying to start. With Kristy's help, I quickly get comfortable in the car.

"Radio check?" Kai's German accent rings through the radio.

"Loud and clear," I confirm. After a brief pause, I am sent out. I am quick to notice that I am the first of a six-car train. That is good as it means that I will have less traffic to contend with. After a minute and twenty-six seconds, I get to work on the first of two push laps. Since the rain has dried up the transition from the indoors section to the outdoors section is a little easier. Of course, I still have to contend with the change in brightness but Kai and I were able to come to a compromise after yesterday's race. It doesn't take long for me to set my laps.

"You are the fastest in group one," Kai confirms my thoughts.

"Ok. Let's hope that it is enough to get into the Superpole shootout," With that out of the way I bring the car back to the garage. It doesn't take long for me to rescue myself from the car. I am just as quick to strip myself of my helmet, HANS device and balaclava. After a tense thirty minutes of watching on, I have just managed to get into the Superpole shootout. Sure I have to set the benchmark but I know for a fact I can set a good time. I take a deep breath as Kristy gestures for me to go. After what feels like the slowest warm-up lap I get around the last corner. It is at that point I decided that I am going to push as hard as possible.

"Just a heads up Kai. I am going to push like a lunatic," I make my intentions clear.

"Ok. Do what you need to do," Kai replies. I can tell that he is not entirely convinced. Oh well, I just need to get my lap done. That will convince him. After a minute and twenty seconds, I completed my single lap. I am feeling confident that I was able to set a good lap. I just hope that it is enough. After rescuing myself from the car I am quick to get my balaclava and helmet off. After a few minutes of waiting the other drivers completed their respective laps. To my surprise, I ended up in P4. Since I was the first of the other drivers I was expecting to be pushed down to P6.

"See Kai. I told you that you have nothing to worry about," I remarked as I joined him, Nyck and Albert for the post-qualifying/pre-race briefing. I find myself tuning out as most of it relates to the team strategy. It was something that Nyck and I already discussed. After another two hours of waiting the time has come for the countdown to begin.

"Radio check?" Kai asks as per the procedure.

"Still clear," I responded. After what feels like an eternity the ten-second countdown begins. It doesn't take long for the lights to start coming on one by one. Lights out. As per usual I stomp on the accelerator. To my surprise, I am able to jump past Alex Lynn. However, my advantage is soon lost. Alex is able to get past me through the chicane. I reckon I can get past him again at some other point in the race.

"I'll get Alex with the attack mode boost if I don't get past him soon," I make Kai aware of my intentions.

"Sounds like a plan," Kai responds. I turn my attention to defending. It is proving to be an easy task. After ten minutes of driving, I somehow managed to make it up to second place. I am behind Nyck. That will all change when we go for the first attack mode boost.

"Jess you will be taking your first attack mode before Nyck," Kai announces.

"Copy," I acknowledge. With the instructions, I arm the attack mode boost. As soon as I get to the attack mode activation area I peel off. It doesn't take long for me to get the attack mode boost. I rejoined the track alongside Oliver Rowland. It is close but since I have the added power I am able to keep second place. After fifteen minutes and one safety car I still somehow managed to keep second place. Unfortunately Nyck lost first place due to the attack mode reshuffle. Alex has taken his spot.

Right now I am defending hard from Oliver Rowland. He is not making my job easy. Oliver makes the lunge at turn five. I am forced to take avoiding action after being forced wide by him. I wince at how close I am to hitting the wall. Luckily for me, I am able to regain control.

"Is there any damage that I need to be aware of?" Kai checks on me.

"No. I missed the wall by a couple of millimetres," I responded. Oliver is lucky that he didn't get past me. As soon as the group makes it indoors again disaster strikes.

"Be aware da Costa was forced off by Lotterer," Kai informs me.

"Let me guess. Another safety car?" I responded. You can hear the annoyance in my voice. I want this race done as soon as possible.

"Yup," As soon as the word comes out of his mouth the race director confirms what Kai said. At least it can give me a reprieve from defending against Oliver. After a couple of laps, I notice that Lucas Di Grassi has snuck past via the pit lane. Is that even legal? I guess I'll find out later. All I know is the fact that I need more points if I am to get ahead of Edo. After a couple more laps following the safety car, the time has come to go racing again. After eleven minutes of driving, I spotted the chequered flag. I am quick to cross the line however there is just one problem. It turns out Lucas was supposed to serve a drive-through penalty yet he didn't.

"Kai, can you tell me if I am in third or second?" My voice is riddled with annoyance. Lucas' move has thrown the order out of wack.

"You are in second. Lucas has been black-flagged," Kai responded. It sounds like he is just as frustrated as I am. Oh well, there is nothing that I can do. It doesn't take long for me to join Alex and Mitch at the podium area. After a brief discussion with the pair, the time has come for the ceremony. Even though the ending of this race was unconventional I actually had fun. It has been a few minutes since the podium ceremony came to an end and I am finally ready to leave. For some reason, my mind wanders to what could happen in Berlin. After this weekend there is a strong possibility that I could become the world champion. I just can't do anything to screw it up.

A/N Hey guys I really need some ideas for a couple of fluff chapters before the season finale in Berlin. It would be much appreciated if I can get some kind of help. Since this is an Author's note I would encourage you guys to vote and/or comment.