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Daniella woke up with an arm wrapped around her waist. She stayed like that for a few minutes before looking at Max who was already wide awake.

"Hi.." Max mumbled before placing a kiss on her shoulder and pulling her closer. Both for a moment forgot that it was race day.

"I don't want to get up," Daniella held Max's hand, her back pressed against his chest.

"Neither do I," Max replied. "But we have to be at the paddock in a few hours."

Daniella didn't say anything as she just relaxed in his arms, pushing aside all her worry for the day for a few moments.

***

Daniella gave the McLaren driver an annoyed look. Lando recently picked up an interest in photography and now has been taking pictures everywhere and of everyone and posting them online. As soon as he spotted Daniella in the paddock he ran and placed the camera in front of her, taking photos.

"First those annoying media people and now you?" Daniella glared at her friends.

"Yes...glare a little bit more, please," Lando ignored what Daniella said and continued taking photos of her. "It really shows that real Dani.."

"Get that camera out of my face or else I will throw it away," Daniella threatened him.

"I will just buy a new one," Lando shrugged and gave her a mischievous grin.

Max approached them, already laughing at what was going on.

Daniella thought he was going to save her from Lando but the McLaren driver didn't give the chance.

"You are here...perfect," Lando got her camera ready again. "Stand next to her.." he instructed Max.

'No. We are.." Daniella was about to protest but Max put his arm around her shoulder, complying with Lando.

Daniella glared at Max but he just kissed her cheek, giving Lando to take the photo.

"So cute," Lando gleefully smiled as he looked at the photo of the couple.

"Send it to me," Max said to his friend.

"I hate you," Daniella looked at her boyfriend.

"No you don't," Max smiled and kissed her cheek again. "I love you," he whispered into her eyes before going back to his team.

Lando was too busy admiring his armature photography skills to notice that Daniella escaped from his range of sight so that he won't be able to annoy her with his camera.

***

Daniella didn't have a good start at the beginning of the race. She dropped down a place and then got a tyre puncture. The early pitstop caused her to drop down to P13 but she still had hope to finish in a much higher position since it's only been a couple of laps.

The car and the tyres felt good as she made her way out of the pitlane but came out right behind the Williams of George Russell. She mentally cursed as she knew George is not going to make it easy for her to overtake him.

She got closer to George as her new tyres picked up the pace. Obviously, George tried his best to not let her overtake him but after a lap, she managed to do so fairly.

Daniella was sure she will be able to climb up the grid again and score the required points to continue her championship fight but it all came to an end when her car was knocked out and was against the wall in a matter of seconds.

It took her a few moments to realize what happened and it all became clear when she saw the Williams next to her, causing a dent in her car.

"Are you okay, Dani?" Nate, her race engineer asked, concern and shock laced in his voice.

The entire Mercedes garage fell silent as they realized what happen. Toto Wolff took off his headphone and hit the table with them in anger and frustration.

"No.." Daniella replied as all hope washed away.

The race was red-flagged.

Daniella unfasten her seatbelt and got out of the car as the marshalls ran towards the scene of the crash.

George got out of his car as well.

Daniella looked at where the Williams hit the Mercedes and then back at George. Both still had their helmets on so their expressions were not visible but people who knew Daniella can tell how pissed she looked.

George approached Daniella and extended his arm to see if she was okay but the Mercedes driver hit his arm away and walked past him. He realized his mistake. He let his hate and anger cloud his judgment for a moment and it ruined everything for Daniella.

***

People tried to encourage Daniella when she entered the Mercedes garage, not meeting anyone's eye, thinking she let everyone down.

"It's not your fault," Toto tried to comfort her as he put one hand on her shoulder. "We will come back stronger next year with a much better car..."

"I know," Daniella quickly replied, not letting Toto finish his sentence. She tried to hide her emotions as best as she can as she is aware of the cameras and people around her.

Toto gave her a sympathetic look. He too is blaming himself for not providing a better can and not clearing the issues between Daniella and George.

Daniella ignored everyone and made her way to the driver's room. Myra tried to follow her but the driver didn't let her. She wanted to be alone to work out her thoughts and emotions and also she was afraid that she might snap at someone.

***

"You are leaving?" Max asked his girlfriend who was already dressed in her casuals and had her backpack with her. The race got over some time ago and now the rest of the drivers are heading toward the media pen.

"Yeah.." Daniella replied. "I am already done with the interviews and if I stay here any longer I might kill George."

Max nodded, understanding how Daniella is feeling. He felt the same way last year.

"Do you want me to go with you?" Max asked, feeling concerned for her. "If you wait a few minutes I can finish the interviews quickly and...there is a celebration dinner for Checo but I will cancel that..."

"No, don't," she stopped Max he pulled out his phone. "I just want to go to my room and be alone for a little while. I need it, Max."

"Okay.." Max reluctantly agreed. "But I will cut the dinner short and come over later."

"Okay.." Daniella gave a small smile and nodded, not wanting to argue.

***

"I am very confident that you will just love that place," Yuki excitedly said as he sat at the edge of the bed in Daniella's hotel room. Since the next race was in Japan he was having a hard time containing his excitement and for the past half an hour he has been going on about where Daniella should visit and what food she should try there. "The food there is really amazing."

The Alpha Tauri driver came over to check on Daniella after the disastrous race she had and even though she wanted to be left alone she was happy Yuki showed up.

Her phone started ringing and she quickly declined the call since she was really not in the mood to talk to the very person who crashed into her and ruined her chances to fight for the championship.

"Pass me that t-shirt," Daniella politely asked Yuki as she pointed at the clothing material next to him and he handed it to her so that she could continue packing. "I think we should go out the night before the media day," She suggested continuing their conversation.

"I was thinking the same thing," Yuki agreed. "I already made a list of where I am going to take you."

Daniella couldn't help but smile. Yuki has been talking about Japan and his home race constantly and since both share the same passion for food he went ahead and planned a day out with her, knowing well that she will not turn it down.

"Come on..." Daniella mumbled as she tried to close her suitcase. She went shopping a couple of days ago and as usual, she went overboard and now she is having a hard time shoving her belongings in the suitcase and closing it.

"Yuki...come here and stand on the suitcase," She looked at the Alpha Tauri driver.

Yuki gave her a confused look.

"It won't close. I need you to put pressure on it," Daniella explained.

"Oh okay," Yuki jumped off the bed and carefully stepped on the top of the suitcase.

Daniella also put pressure on it with her hand and after a few more seconds of struggle, she finally managed to zip it up.

"Now this one," she pulled her other suitcase and Yuki stepped on it too.

She was halfway zipping it up when the door opened and Max walked in.

"Hey.." Daniella looked at her boyfriend while Yuki just waved at him.

"What is going on here?" Max looked confused as he stepped closer.

"Yuki is helping me pack."

"By standing on top of your bag?"

"Yeah..otherwise it won't close," Daniella replied as he finished zipping up the suitcase. She let out a deep breath and sat back on the floor.

Yuki stepped down, feeling proud that he could help.

"I thought you said you wanted to be alone," Max asked as he put the bags aside so no one trips on it and falls,

"I did..but he came up to check on me," Daniella smiled at the Alpha Tauri driver and then looked at Max. "How was dinner?"

"It was okay..I brought the dessert for you."

"And that's why I love you," Daniella stood up and took the packet from his hand.

"I am going to go now," You said to the two drivers. "I have to pack as well...and order some dinner."

"Okay," Daniella smiled. "Thanks for checking up on me," she gave him a quick hug.

Yuki smiled back, happy that his friend is feeling better.

Max closed the door after Yuki left and then looked at Daniella who already started eating the dessert.

"Feeling better?"

"Mmhmm," She nodded.

"I talked to George on my way out of the paddock," Max cautiously said as he sat right next to Daniella. "He is worried about you."

"And my mood is ruined again..."


**********


A/N: So Dani is out of the championship fight...thanks to George. Thoughts?

 Do you think she acted unprofessionally with George when he tried to check up on her? 

We got an appearance from Yuki... 

What do you think will happen next?


**********


Singapore GP: It was chaos. Half of the drivers DNFed. I was really hoping for a Charles win but he messed up at the start. But thanks to Singapore we got a lot of thirsty pics

Japanese GP: Max is a two-time world champion. It was well deserved but the news was so confusing. Even he was confused with the points. 

Haas screwed Mick. They should have pitted him early but it felt for good to see him in the top three for a little while.

 Latifi finally scored points. I personally would have preferred if he had ended the season without a single point. 

Seb P6 and DOTD. Well deserved and I am happy for him.

 Let's talk about the crane at the race track. What were they thinking? It's always dangerous to have a vehicle like that near the track, especially when the weather was as bad as it was during the GP. Drivers could barely see anything. And I think the 20s time penalty they gave to Pierre was unjustified. And the marshalls were already on the track trying to get Carlos' Ferrari out of there even when the cars were still on the track. There is a video where a car went past a marshall and it was very close. Overall it was poor management. There was a big chance that something bad could have happened because of these mistakes and management needs to take responsibility for that

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