F1 One Shots II

#104 Lando - Mr P2

NARRATOR POV: The Singapore Grand Prix was in full swing, and the floodlit streets of the Marina Bay Street Circuit were alive with the roar of Formula 1 cars. Lando Norris, the talented McLaren driver, had been pushing hard throughout the race, battling for a podium finish. Beside him in the McLaren garage, Ava Cooper, his lifelong friend and confidante, watched with bated breath.
As the laps ticked down, it became clear that Lando was in contention for a top-three finish. He had managed to fend off challenges from several drivers, but now he faced a formidable opponent in George Russell, who was relentlessly closing the gap.
Ava clenched her fists, her heart racing, as she listened to the team radio.
-Lando, George is right behind you. Keep your cool, mate- came the voice of Will, Lando's race engineer -We know how he is...
-Yeah, all or nothing- Lando, sweating in the intense Singapore heat, focused all his energy on keeping George at bay. The laps flew by, and Ava could hardly contain her excitement. This was the moment they had all been waiting for.

With just a few laps to go, George made his move, attempting to overtake Lando on a tight corner. But Lando defended his position with all his might, giving George no room to pass. Their cars were side by side, inches apart, as they raced through the Singapore night. Ava's heart was in her throat as she watched the intense battle unfold. Lando's skill and determination were on full display as he refused to yield.

With just one lap remaining, George made a desperate lunge, to try to squeeze past Lando. But this time, it was too much. Just like Lando brushed the barrier, George plunged his front right side into it, ending his race, while Lando seemed relatively unharmed. A collective gasp filled the McLaren garage as Ava covered her mouth in shock, but everything seemed well. And the constant DRS halp from Carlos ahead of him on P1, was major adventage.

As Lando crossed the finish line, securing a hard-fought second place, Ava couldn't contain her excitement any longer. She rushed out of the garage and down to the parc fermé, with all the team, where the top three drivers were celebrating.
Lando stepped out of his car, his adrenaline still pumping. He celebrated for a bit, and then jumped down from the nose of the car, and ran to the team.
-I did it Dad! P2!- he yelled through the helmet, happy. Then Ava was next, to squeeze him as tightly as she could, with her arms around his neck. They were both laughing and crying tears of joy as they clung to each other. 
Lando's second-place finish was a monumental achievement, and Ava knew just how hard he had worked for it. They had grown up together, dreaming of moments like this, and now they were living it. As they pulled away from their embrace, Lando couldn't stop grinning.
-We did it, Ava. We did it!- Ava wiped away a tear and nodded.
-You were incredible out there, Lando. I'm so proud of you!
Then they seperated, for Lando to aproach Carlos. The two chuckled and hugged each other, celebrating on their own. Both got congratulations from McLaren and Ferrari, and then went to do the interviews before the podium. 
There, they all caught their breath, listening to Spanish and Italian anthem, for once not being Dutch and Austrian ones, and then celebrated with champaine shower, with Fred and Lewis. The atmosphere was high on energy and happiness.

And then, sadly, the celebrations needed to be stopped, for a while at least, as all the drivers needed to finish their media comitments, before they can have any fun, or retreat to their hotel rooms to relax and unwind.
After an hour or so, Lando met Ava in his drivers' room, away from the noise and hustle of the paddock.
-Well done, Mr P2..- Ava said, stood up from the chair she was sitting on, and gave him a tight hug -You're doing amazing, Another P2! Which is it now? 4th? 7th? 
-3rd, this season- Lando indulged her in the teasing, returning the hug.
-Come on! We can cuddle later! Let's go and celebrate!
-Ava?!
-Lando!- she returned his gaze, making both of them laugh.
After that, when they finally calmed down, Lando took a shower and then changed from his soaked from the champaine suit into normal clothes, they went out, into the stiff and humid air of the Singapore night, to go to the club and celebrate with the team the stellar performance.

FEW HOURS LATER
As Lando and Ava finally retired to their hotel room in the early hours of the morning, exhausted but exhilarated, they knew that this race would be a cherished memory. It was a reminder of the challenges they had overcome and the successes they had achieved together, on and off the track, while still suporting each other and having each others backs no matter what.
And the fact that Lando will finish the season with total of 6 P2 finishes will be definitely a highlight of the year for them...
THE END

Another one in the heat of Singapore...
Have a nice day! / Goodnight!
F.