The Limit (Sebastian Vettel)

17. The First Test

A/N: We are about to start the 2019 season. Any testing times will all be fictional and won't relate to the real 2019 tests. Race results will be very similar, with a few changes to slot Lily in, as her results will differ to the driver she is taking the place of (Grosjean). Also, will be ignoring the Rich Energy/Haas business.

It had been her dream since she had been a child, and finally, here she was, Formula 1.

Sure, it was only testing, but it was the first step in what Lily hoped would be a long, successful career for her.

Glancing around the others gathered on the grid for the start of season photo, she couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed. There were so many drivers she recognised, and although she'd met most of them before, she still couldn't quite believe she'd be racing against them.

Five time world champion, Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari's last champion, Kimi Raikkonen. Multiple race winners Valtteri Bottas, Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen. And then there was him.

She could feel Seb's eyes on her before she even spotted him. Only he could make her feel this aware, this alive.

She turned her head, and sure enough he was stood several feet behind her, staring at her intently, looking as sexy as ever, dark blonde hair covered by his Ferrari cap, and sporting a moustache. Lily bit on her lip to stop herself from laughing. What was he thinking? Still, she found him as ridiculously attractive as ever. 

This was the first time they had seen each other since the Christmas party, and Lily couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if she'd given into him that night, and they'd left together, despite both being in relationships.

She stared back at him, not wanting to be the one to look away first.  Then suddenly Seb did the last thing she'd expected him to do.  He winked at her, grinned cheekily and walked off towards his new teammate, Charles, who was stood talking to Red Bull's Pierre Gasly. 

Out of nowhere, Lily began to feel extremely nervous.   She'd been full of confidence so far but now it all became real.  She was here in Barcelona and it was time to go testing.

She wouldn't actually be driving the car until the following day, today would be full of media duties.  Once the grid photo had been taken she'd have a quick break before heading to start her interviews. 

"Can I have you all over here please?" called out a petite woman with short, spiky, neon pink hair.

Lily made her way over, her heart racing, her hands shaking. It felt like everyone was looking at her, wondering what the hell she was doing there. What was she doing here? She was surrounded by the elite of Formula 1.  She was just...her. Just Lily. 

"Scary, isn't it?" She looked to her right and saw the tall, familiar figure of Alex Albon falling into step besides her.

"Just a bit," she replied.

"At least you don't have Dr Marko to worry about." Lily snorted with laughter. That was true.

"But she has Guenther," George Russell chipped in, appearing on her left side.

"Guenther's alright," she said. "You just have to know how to handle him. And no, I don't mean in that way... Damon thinks I've been doing Guenther or Gene sexual favours for the seat." George snorted, as did Lando Norris who had joined them. 

"Ok, so you bested us in Formula 2, yet only got your seat for your sexual favours? What's that say about our driving? Your brother is a dickhead." Alex added his agreement.

Lily smiled. It felt good to know that not everyone shared Damon's opinion.

Her nerves began to settle a little as she and her fellow rookies arrived near the bench and chairs that had been set out for them to have their "class" photo taken. She wasn't alone.  The four of them were all going through the same emotions, although for Lily it was slightly different, being female and having her dad's legacy to live up to.