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Max had been… quiet. GP was beginning to get concerned. The kid seemed more tired lately and he had a feeling he knew at least partly why.
Jos Verstappen was the exact opposite of his son. Sure, there were some similarities, Max was a firecracker. Only eighteen but already so confident and sure of his ability and that came with a passion that sometimes translated into anger. He understood that and was forced to deal with it more than most. But it was nothing like his father’s explosive violence. Because at his core, Max was a sweet kid. When he laughed, his entire face lit up. He could be entertained by the silliest things. Sometimes GP had to remind himself that he was still a teenager. That he was a kid, really too young to be here at all. But despite how all the other drivers treated him, despite the way his own father treated him, he was a sweet, generous kid who liked racecars and video games and could talk for hours with excitement so long as you didn't shut him down.
So this quiet, it was concerning.
But Jos hadn't been happy lately. GP had actually gone to Christian about the man. There had been a… well, altercation seemed too harsh a word, at the last race. Max had done poorly in the race and Jos had reacted quite negatively. He grabbed Max's arm and the boy had flinched away. Gianpiero stepped in. He'd kept things civil. As civil as he could under the circumstances. But his view of the matter had remained clear to both Verstappens. Jos had left, Max shooting GP a small mile before following close after. Christian had stated there was nothing he could do about it for now, but to keep him informed moving forward.
Max had been quiet since then.
“GP?” The silence breaks and GP would be thankful if the voice didn't sound so small.
“Yes, Max?”
“Do you… do you like working with me?”
That has Gianpiero’s full attention. “Of course.”
“Of course I do not think that you hate me.” Like some of the others was left unsaid. “But I mean, if you could work with someone else, would you? And you do not have to be nice, I will not be offended.” Well that was a question. After all, GP had been brought in to work with world champion Sebastian Vettel and had somehow found himself with second year, teenager Max Verstappen. But, “No. I'm perfectly happy where I am, Max.”
“You're not wanting to break your contract?”
He had no idea where this was coming from. If Max thought that GP was trying to leave it would explain the silence over the past week but he's not sure where he could have possibly gotten that idea.
“I have no intention of leaving anytime soon.” He reassures, but he means it too.
Max nods, and while the answer doesn't seem to upset him, it also doesn't belay whatever worry appears to be eating at him.
Silence lingers for a few moments before he speaks again. “GP…” he trails off, waiting for confirmation that his engineer is listening. Doesn't speak again until GP makes eye contact.
“Yes?”
“Will you… would you do something for me?”
The serious tone in his voice is starting to truly concern him. But he knows better than to agree right away. If you promise Max something, you had better be sure you're committed to it. Loyalty is not something to play with. “I can try, what seems to be the problem?”
He hesitates, fidgeting with the edge of his sleeve, eyes looking over GP’s shoulder instead of at his face. “Would… could you try to get along with my father?”
It's certainly not what he had been expecting. “Your dad?”
“Could you just- stay out of his way? Do not do things to make him not like you. Don't make him angry. You of course do not actually have to like him, but can you at least pretend?”
A warning claxon is going off in his head and now Gianpiero is well and truly worried. The truth is, he doesn't like Jos. Hasn't had particularly fond feelings since the moment he met the man. And he's heard things, whispers from people who were on the grid with him. Never anything positive. Even those who seemed to dislike or at the very least ignore Max seemed concerned with the way Max was raised. And this was all in addition to the things he’d heard Jos say and do.
He’d tried to be patient with the man. But now he's rightfully worried. Because GP didn't like Jos and he probably was too keen to let that show. Max adored his father even if there was a not so healthy fear surrounding it. He has a feeling that this is not a personal preference for the comfort of Max, however.
“He doesn't-” how does he word this without making the situation worse? “Take out his frustrations toward me on you does he?” He probably shouldn't have even voiced it. A new worry to eat at him where young Max was concerned.
There's a soft, sad smile when Max glances away. There's a breath that might be mistaken for a laugh. “That is not what I am worried about. It is just that… I like working with you. I do not want that to stop.”
“Max,” he keeps his voice gentle, trying not to slip into pity. “I'm not going to quit because I don't like your father.”
He shakes his head like GP just doesn't understand. “Yes but if my father does not like you then you will be replaced. I simply do not want that to happen.” It's said so earnestly that the implications of the words are almost missed.
From anyone else that would be a threat. A calmly spoken intimidation made to force him to conform. But that's not what this is. Because he knows Max is telling the truth. Jos is Max's manager and it didn't take long to see that Jos is the one calling most, if not all, of the shots.
Perhaps it's true. If Jos decides that GP is a threat, he'll find a way to remove him from the picture. To replace him with someone who will let him do whatever he wants with his son and not say a word. To not encourage the rebellious side of Max who has every right to stand up to his father.
“I can try, Max.” Because he doesn't like the idea of that. Of someone else taking his place. Not for the sake of his own job. He'll be fine. Easily find another team to work for. But he doesn't like the idea of leaving Max alone. Leaving Max alone with someone that Jos does approve of.
The overwhelming urge to keep his boy safe keeps GP from speaking his full mind. That this was outrageous. That his employment was between Max and Christian and himself. That Jos was not needed. That Jos was hurting more than helping Max and his progress in Formula 1.
Max looks at him again and his smile seems genuine if a little sad. “Thank you.”
And GP is surprised how touched he feels all things considered. Because this is Max protecting him. Max, a scrawny eighteen year old with pressure coming in from all sides, wants to make sure GP stays there.
It's odd. He's only been working with him for a few months but finds that he would be happy to finish his career here. Not with Red Bull necessarily, but with Max. He doesn't like the idea of being friendly with Jos. The man is an abuser. He's now even more convinced of that. He has control he shouldn't have and wields it like a weapon. He doesn't deserve anyone's respect and GP isn't prone to give his out on the regular anyway. But he'll pretend. For now at least. Not for his own gain. Not because he's afraid of threats or because he doesn't want to be fired. But for Max. To keep him safe. To keep them together, working as a team.
Because he now knows the truth. Gianpiero Lambiase would do anything for Max Verstappen. The kid is going to do great things. And he plans to make sure he's beside him for every step of it.