Chapter Text
Lando splashed water on his face, staring into the mirror. "You have to stay focused, Lando!" He took a deep breath. "I am speed," he said to his reflection. He joked that he was faster than fast and quicker than quick. "I'm Lando Norris, future world champion!"
A sudden knock on his door startled him. "Hey Norris, you ready? We need to get going!" "I'm coming!" he shouted back. He looked at the mirror one last time and stepped out of his room. He was born ready. Oh, yeah! Lando was as ready as anyone could be. He put on his sunglasses and entered the paddock, heading to the McLaren garage. He greeted fans and other drivers, posing for a few photos with his head held high.
In the garage, mechanics buzzed around his car, not one looking up at the arrogant rookie. The only reason they didn't quit was his success on the grid during his rookie season. Today was important-it would decide the first place for the world championship.
Lando noticed a dirty spot on his car and wiped it clean until it shone. He couldn't race in a dirty car. He tossed the towel aside and approached his physical coach, who was tapping his foot impatiently. Lando sneaked up behind him and grabbed him. "Oh god, Lando!" The shriek was higher-pitched than a high school girl's. Lando snickered. After being scolded for his behavior and lateness, they began their warm-up.
He zipped up his suit and put on his helmet. He was ready. He stepped confidently into the car, waiting for the signal to exit the garage. His chief executive gave him the go-ahead for the second spot. His engine roared as he finally reached the grid. Fans roared at his sight. He could hear his name in the crowd. He revved the engine harder. The crowd went wild. He smirked. He was going to win this race. After all, he was a winner.
The red lights counted down. He spotted Lance Stroll pulling up next to him. He waved and shouted, "Hey Thunder, see you at the finish line!" Confusion was written all over Stroll's face. The light turned green. He stomped on the gas, the confusion giving him a head start.
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The race was more challenging than Lando had anticipated. He had been overtaken a few times. His chief executive wasn't helping, only distracting him from the curves. His anger grew with each turn. Sweat dripped down his face. He was in third place, unable to overtake Lance Stroll. The only satisfaction was that Stroll struggled to take the first spot from Carlos Sainz.
Stroll braked early, and Lando slipped between the car and the curve. They went head-to-head.. Stroll's front pushed against Lando's rear. Lando slipped at the curve but quickly recovered. "Oh, you didn't just do that, Stroll. Game on!" "Norris, you're in P7! You've got to overtake them at the next curves or you're done!" He mumbled a response, focusing on the cars ahead. He couldn't let the Ferraris and Alpines take his place. He took them on one at a time.
Even the commentators doubted him, but he cut off the second Ferrari. He was back in third place. Everyone took their pit stops. He was behind the safety car, in the lead if he played his cards right.
The green flag waved. Three laps left for victory. He was going to win. He was going to be world champion. Norris took the risk of skipping the pit stop. He was in the lead. He couldn't afford to lose precious seconds. "Norris, you need new tires! Take a pit stop, now!" Lando ignored the chief and drove harder than ever. He passed the three laps at a higher speed. "Two curves left. I'm the winner!" he told himself. But his luck ran out. His left tire blew as he braked for the last curve. He lost control. His hands clamped around the wheel. He couldn't lose now. He crossed the finish line as Stroll and Sainz also finished. He stayed in his car as the rest surpassed him. Did he win or not?
The radio was silent. His car was towed to the garage. He stepped out, helmet still on, and walked away from the mechanics.