Not A Verstappen || CL16 & LN4

Untitled Part 17

"Hey," he called as he turned in his seat to look at you. "I could pull out if I wanted to."

"You're lucky you're handsome, because you can't lie to save your life."

"We both know how it is when you hit that sweet spot, mon cher," Charles said as he reached across the gearbox and rested his hand on Lando's thigh. "It's too good to resist staying buried in her."

"I said I could if I wanted to, not that I would or want to."

--

By the time you arrived at the airport, and hustled your way through security, you found Max, Daniel and Pierre already seated on the plane and pointed to other empty seats. "Are you expecting the rest of the grid or what?"

"At the rate you're collecting them, maybe," Max joked.

You laughed and dropped into the seat opposite your brother, kicking your feet up on his armrest. "You can't say shit like that in front of Pierre, he gets far too excited. He might even wet your carpet."

Pierre looked up from his phone and you could tell from the smile on his face that he had been busy texting Kika before he realised what you had said and his lips pouted. "You make me sound like a puppy."

"Nawww, I wish you had that level of obedience, Gasly." Your feet were roughly shoved off the seat and you narrowed your eyes at the culprit as the plane began to taxi to the runway.

"Safety first, zusje, haven't you read the pamphlet?"

"Why would I do that?" you scoffed as you buckled the belt in. Charles was doing the same where he sat across from Pierre and Lando was next to Daniel. "If something happens at 36,000 feet, bracing isn't going to save me. Now, are there any stroopwafels on board this thing or do I have to wait another two hours? I'm starving."

"The last two races have seen a big drop in performance for both you and Lance, and only a few points added to the tally, and now - failing to finish the sprint with that crash. Is this something the team is looking into?"

You wanted to ask if the Sky Sports reporter had a brain cell but took a steadying breath instead and nodded. "Mhmm."

"So what is Aston Martin doing to get back up where you were competing earlier in the season and what are your hopes for the race tomorrow starting 9th on the grid?"

"We are doing what is always done: look at the data, continue the upgrades, and keep pushing. Same goes for the race, I'll try my hardest to make up some places and avoid the gravel. I'm usually good at getting off the start line, the car is great for short acceleration so if I see a gap I'll be going for it. Plus, you know how turn one goes - that might make my job easier if the boys up ahead get greedy."

"Speaking of boys, this time last year you were heading into the summer break looking for love. What's the plan this year?"

"I don't know, maybe I'll take Max's advice and adopt a couple of cats this time." You laughed as Lando and Charles turned to you from their spots in the media pen. "Is that a yes...no...maybe? Oh, that's their 'we will talk about this later' face. I'm going to go now before I get into trouble."

The smile you had been holding onto fell away as you stepped into the Aston Martin hospitality building and you grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge before you navigated your way to your room. You almost made it there with no interactions, until your fellow driver caught up and clipped your shoulder as he passed by to his room.

Still annoyed at the reporter, you dropped your hand from the doorknob and turned to him. "What's your problem?"

"You almost had points and you threw them away. That's what."