teammates ; Lando Norris

five

Pre-season testing went by in a blur. I actually quite liked it- being able to drive with not a lot of pressure to perform because of the lower stakes.

A nice introduction to the McLaren car.

It went by pretty smoothly for me. The car did have a cooling issue on the second day but that was sorted quickly.

A drain cover was the most disrupting thing I experienced.

The term 'sandbagging' was also thrown around pretty much all of the competitive teams and drivers.

Lando and I qualified 7th and 8th for the first Grand Prix this season in Bahrain. Him ahead of me of course.

I was so excited and nervous for my first qualifying session in formula 1 that I didn't have the stomach to eat a lot today.

It was quite a late qualifying as well, with it starting at seven o clock and finishing at eight.

Before I knew it I was taking a quick breather in my drivers room and it was already half nine.

I think I'll see if there's anywhere within McLaren to get a quick snack so I don't go to bed completely starving.

When my trainer realised I hadn't eaten a lot he had chuckled which initially confused me.

"What?" I ask growing confused. The room is almost empty with most personnel being out and about busy.

"You're just like Lando." He shakes his head.

"What do you mean?" I ask with a little laugh wondering where this has come from.

He places his drink down before gesturing to my food that I've barely touched.

"Lando has been driving in formula 1 for years and is still getting in trouble for how little he eats on Saturday and especially Sunday."

He laughs before adding "I mean at least you had a few bites but I can see you and Lando falling under the same boat this year."

The memory plays back in my head. I'm going to be honest I haven't really seen Lando much this weekend.

There's a possibility he's been ignoring me.

I wouldn't really be surprised with his cold demeanour towards me- and just in general.

The motorhome is like a ghost town already- most people probably wanting to get back to their hotel rooms for an early night.

I walk through the paddock- gazing over my surroundings a little to see if there's anywhere to get food. I don't find any luck.

"Hey Juliette!" I snap my head at the sound of the head of PR- Edith.

She was quite a stern person- took no bullshit and very professional.

We walk towards each other and I smile back at her "Hi."

"You're here a little late- are you just leaving right now?" She asks her forehead creasing together. It's hard to place her age but I'd say about forty.

"Yeah, just about to walk back to the hotel."

She widens her eyes briefly "You're not walking back." She says in disbelief.

Her eyes attach to something else behind me before she calls out.

"Lando!"

He looks around confused before his eyes land on us, his face relaxing a little bit.

"Lando- did you speak to Quinn?" She asks sounding annoyed already- like she already knows his answer.

Lando brings his two lips between his teeth as he looks nervously at her. "Well, you see-"