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Austria was panning out to go sweetly in George's favor. The car felt good, it felt like he could actually work with it. So good in fact he was able to bring it into a controversial pole position. He was able to work the double yellow flag to his advantage. He did everything right.
It was no wonder George was glowing as he celebrated along side the two Ferraris. He felt like he actually had a fighting chance this weekend. A chance to to prove himself to his team, to prove himself to Toto. He wasn't going to let his chances fly, not this weekend. No car issues would stop him from showing Toto that he made the right decision choosing George as his number one driver.
George was practically floating as he made his through the Mercedes garage and towards his drivers room. How could he not? It was impossible not to feel a sense of pride when every person he walked by on his way to his drivers room was filling him with congratulations and praise, he was drunk off all the praise he was receiving. it felt amazing. George could feel himself smiling wider and wider with every corner he passed, every compliment made him feel light, like the weight of this whole season had been lifted off him. So, when he turned the last corner to his drivers room and spotted Kimi Antonelli waiting for him, he couldn't help but feel a sort of pride rising in his chest. He had finally won one over him, this wasn't going to end like Canada did. George knew he would come out on top. He had to.
As George got close enough to properly see Kimis face, he noticed how off the Italian looked. He was missing his regular grin and child like wonder he always wore on his face. Kimi stood frozen in front of George's drivers room, arms folded around his puffed up chest.
The Italians head lifted up as he heard footsteps approaching him. Kimi plastered on a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Nice drive"
Kimis words were ice cold, it was obvious that the boy didn't mean what he was saying. George stopped in front of him, an uneasy feeling settling in his stomach. This wasn't like kimi. Kimi was warm and comforting, George had expected a hug, not… this.
"Thanks"
What did it matter? Who cared if kimi didn't mean his words. So what if kimi was acting weird, this is as George's moment to be happy, his teammates wasn't going to change that. it shouldn't have mattered to George, but it did. George's expression soured little by little as kimi stayed still, blocking George from opening his drivers room door. The Italians expression was unreadable, George couldn't figure out what Kimis game was, what message he wanted to send. It was irritating not knowing what mind games the Italian was playing.
Both men stood still in front of the door, neither of them saying anything.
After a few seconds, Kimi broke the silence
"I hope you don't forget where you stand"
George's eyes fluttered as Kimis cold brown eyes stared daggers into him. The Italians eyes looked machine like, something George had never seen in the boy before.
"What…?"
The Brit looked down at kimi, his eyes slightly unfocused as his mouth fell open in shock. Kimi let out a small chuckle as he dropped his arms down from his chest to his sides. His hands turning into fists as he puffed himself out.
"You heard me."
Kimi said as he dropped his head down to take a look at George, who's face had drained of all prior color. Kimi looked at George, really looked at him. George's mouth was still on open, his eyes opened wide, he looked betrayed.
"Don't get comfortable, because before you know it I'll be on top again. And I'll leave you in the darkness to rot like dead meat."
Each word stung with a rage George had never seen before. He knew kimi was going to be upset with how qualifying turned out, but Christ,he wasn't expecting this.
Kimi spoke with the confidence of someone who had never had to prove himself to anyone. Kimi hadn't had to beg Toto Wolff for a job at Mercedes, he hadn't had to fight his way in a shitty car to get where he was. He was giving a spot in Mercedes his first year in f1, he was loved by fans the second he reached the race track. He was born loved. Something George had never experienced.
" you will never be Toto's number one, not as long as I'm still here. And we both know I'm not leaving."
George's heart sank to the bottom of his body. Deep down, he knew kimi was right. But why was he telling him this now? George knew There wasn't much he could do to win back the same affection Toto had for him when he first started out. George knew that, so why did it hurt so much to hear come out of the mouth of his own teammate?
His head dropped down in bitter silence as his vision went blurry. He couldn't help but feel hurt.
No matter how many podiums he scored, how many titles he won, he just couldn't compete with Mercedes golden boy.
Kimis hand lifted up and fell onto George's shoulder as he lifted himself from the drivers room door.
"See you tomorrow Georgie!"
Kimi spoke with the same radiance he always carried, it was as if bringing George down brought the Italian up. George lifted his head to take a good look at the boy. He was smiling that smile, the "I won" smile he knew too well. He had seen it the entirety of the past couple races.
George watched kimi intently as he skipped down further into the hallway, quickly disappearing behind a corner.
The Brit opened the door to his drivers room, quickly slipping inside and shutting the door quickly behind him.