2021 Season Finale

"As we approach the 2021 Season finale, all eyes are on Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. We're entering the end of this sensational season level on points- both championship contenders with exactly 395.5 points. The silver arrows are looking strong as ever, claiming pole position yesterday. RedBull is looking to play catch up in this final round of racing. How do you think this is going to go?"

"Honestly, it really could go either way. Racing is unpredictable. While RedBull seems to be on the back foot, you never know what's going to happen."

"Let's not discount the McLaren's either. Lando Norris is starting P3, just ahead of his teammate Alessandro Moreno."

"Ah, yes! A bit of chatter up and down the paddock about Moreno this weekend. He's the only driver on the grid without a contract for next season. Rumors have been saying that he may not even be racing next season. He may be signing as Ferrari's reserve driver for the 2022 season."

"An Italian at Ferrari, it makes sense. But it would be a shame if we didn't see him racing Grand Prix's next season. People tend to forget he's in his rookie year, fighting against Lando who has 4 years of experience in the sport."

"Absolutely. However, if Alessandro does potentially leave McLaren... there's an empty seat. Who do you reckon is going to take that spot?"

"Pato O'ward?"

"Oh really?"

"I mean, he's set to join McLaren for postseason testing. It'll be his first time in an F1 car. I think he's a pretty good option."

"Interesting take..."

The rest of the reporters words were drowned by the sound of wheel guns starting up in the garages.

This was it.

The final race of the 2021 season.

Abu Dhabi.

The sun was scorching hot, nearly burning the sunscreen right off my skin. My face probably looked like a tomato, even though I wasn't exactly pale. Sweat lined the edge of my orange McLaren hat.

"Morning, Kota!" Zak greeted as I walked into the paddock.

I smiled and waved, realizing this was the last time I would be hearing the paddock gate scan my pass for the year.

It was bitter sweet. But with all the development happening behind the scenes in Woking on the 2022 car, I knew the next season was shaping up to be even better.

Formula 1 had been blessed with a cracking season in 2021, leaving everyone deprived and salivating for the next season. I couldn't wait for March 2022 and the 2021 season hadn't even officially ended.

"Mark!" I shouted, spotting his familiar figure in the distance.

I hadn't spoken to him as often as I liked because we now had two different jobs. It was quite odd to go from working together, to seeing him only for a few moments on a race weekend.

"Hey stranger," he grinned, the sun reflecting off of his sunglasses.

I fell into step beside him as we walked down row of garages to the end of the pitlane.

"How's it going?"

"Ehhh, jobs gotten boring without you."

"Am I hearing correctly? Did you perhaps... miss me?" I teased, bumping his shoulder.

Mark scoffed, rolling his eyes playfully.

"Good luck for the weekend," he waved, disappearing into the crowd of people.

I smiled to myself, shaking my head as I put my things down in the McLaren hospitality.

I hadn't seen Alessandro since our meeting at MTC, but my heart was jittery just thinking about seeing him again.

I pulled out my notebook, flipping to a page covered in blue ink. Starting up the computers, I fed data into the program.

I had stayed up all night last night with Ivan, trying to find a strategy that would guarantee Alessandro a top 5 finish.

It was clear that the McLaren car was good at this track.

A tap pulled me from my concentrated state, forcing me to remove my headphones.

Immediately the sounds of the garage reverberated in my ears as cars started up.

"Hey," Alessandro smiled, holding out an energy bar. "Have you eaten anything?"

"Hey Lightning McQueen," I grinned, taking the bar. "Not yet, thank you."

"You need to stop distracting yourself so much that you forget to eat," he frowned, pulling on his balaclava.

I swiveled in my chair to face him.

"Well, I have you to feed me," I smiled, nudging his butt with my foot.

He sent me a glare, grabbing my foot and trying to remove my shoe.

"Hey! Stop it, I'm sorry!"

Alessandro laughed, letting go of my foot.

"You ready to go?" Aaron asked, handing him his helmet.

Alessandro nodded, puling it over his head and tightening the strap under his chin.

"And how bout your partner in crime?" he asked, turning to look at me.

I gave him two thumbs up, gesturing to the data screens that were running race predictions.

"Cool. Let's burn some fuel, yeah?"

"Hell yeah, go kick some ass," I grinned, giving Alessandro a high five.

--------------------------------------

D>"Ok Ale, radio check?"

A>"You sound a little boring today."

D>"Oh really? Is this better?"

Alessandro chuckled to himself as Dakota switched to a horrendous English accent.

A>"Uh, no. I take back what I said."

D>"Good. Final two cars approaching grid slots."

A>"Copy."

D>"15 seconds till lights out, and then it's all you."

Alessandro shifted in his seat, rolling back his shoulders as well as he could in the confined space.

He knew the pressure was on. Not to please his fans. The fans would be completely focused on the battle going on at the front between the RedBull and the Mercedes.

The pressure was on for him to deliver for McLaren. Or he wouldn't have a seat for the next season.

The battle for first place in the constructors championship between RedBull and Mercedes was not the only one playing out.

McLaren and Ferrari were battling for P3 in the championship.

A>"What place do I need to finish to secure P3 in the championship?"

D>"We are currently beating Leclerc, but Sainz is beating us. In order to beat him, we need to overtake two cars."

A>"What place is Lando?"

D>"P5."

Alessandro had dropped back to P7, as Lando had dropped to P5 with Fernando Alonso splitting the two orange cars.

A>"What?"

D>"Lapped cars will NOT go through."

A>"Copy. What the fuck?"

D>"Yeah, there's some interesting things going on up in the Race Directors room."

A>"That's bullshit, isn't it standard procedure to let lapped cars through?"

D>"Yup, yup, it is. Let's see how this plays out."

A>"Copy."

Alessandro frowned, following the cars in front of him as the safety car led them around for another lap.

There was definitely something fishy going on with the interpretation of the rules up in the stewards room. He had no idea what was being broadcast on the live stream, but he had a feeling the controversial season would be ending in even more controversy.

D>"Haha, just kidding. Lapped cars between Lewis and Max are going through."

A>"What the fuck?"

D>"I dunno man, but at least you get to unlap yourself."

Alessandro shook his head, immediately following Alonso's blue Alpine around the train of cars. The standard procedure of a safety car start had been abandoned, replaced with the chaos that was playing out on track.

D>"Safety car in this lap."

A>"This lap? Or the next lap?"

D>"This lap."

"Fuck," Alessandro muttered to himself, catching the safety car dart back into the pitlane.

There was no doubt the ruckus out front was going to get worse as Max and Lewis inched closer and closer to each other.

Dakota removed one side of her headphones to hear Crofty's commentary as the final lap of the race began. She wasn't even the one racing, but her heart was beating in anticipation.

C>"Verstappen sets off after Hamilton. Hamilton is ahead, but Verstappen has better tires. We have 3.2 miles of racing action all the way to the chequered flag. Is this going to be a first World Championship for Verstappen? Or an eighth for Hamilton?"

Dakota could hear people rushing about as everyone came to stand in front of the large TV screen. Then, everything went still as everyone stopped what they were doing to watch the final lap unfold.

She held her breath, watching as the two drivers neared the first overtaking zone.

C>"It's a late lunge by the RedBull driver as he takes the lead of the race! Verstappen snatches the championship trophy from Lewis Hamilton!"

The gasps from the crowd watching could be heard even through her headphones. She almost forgot Alessandro was on the other end, fighting his own battle for P6.

C>"Mercedes will not be happy. RedBull will be delighted. The championship can only be won by one and it's going Dutch in 2021! Max Verstappen, for the first time in his Formula 1 career, is Champion of the World!"

Dakota felt goosebumps appear on her arms, a grin tugging at her lips.

The fireworks were exploding in the night sky, illuminating the circuit with neon bursts of light.

The sounds of the fans cheering was deafening.

The RedBull mechanics had spilled onto the track to congratulate their World Champion racer.

There was a lot of commotion in the Mercedes garage as well, the camera's panning to show the team principle shouting into his headset.

Dakota couldn't help but smile as the RedBull team celebrated, cheering and shouting in utter euphoria.

A>"Well that was fucked up."

D>"That's an understatement."

Alessandro sighed, shaking his head. The safety car procedure had fucked his race, as well as everyone else's.

The McLaren team had finished P4 as Ferrari took the third and final podium spot. It was a step backwards from last year when the team had finished P3.

He climbed out of the car, immediately making his way to Max to congratulate him. His next stop was at the McLaren garage where Lando was already standing, removing his helmet.

Dakota grinned, giving him a quick hug as all the camera's were focused on Max.

"You think you'll be hearing that phrase again?" Zak asked, patting the shoulders of his two drivers.

"Which?" Lando asked, his cheeks flushed pink and a smile on his face.

"For the first time in his Formula 1 career, is Champion of the World!" Zak imitated, failing miserably at Crofty's accent.

"Bet it'll be my name at the beginning," Lando smirked, nudging Alessandro's shoulder.

The Italian gave him a woeful smile.

"It probably will be, considering I still don't have a seat for 2022."

Lando's smile dropped as he gave Zak a questioning look.

"About that," Zak began, nodding his head towards the back of the garage.

Alessandro shared a look with Dakota, who gave him a reassuring nod.

"I know this season has been tough," Zak spoke, opening the door to his office.

Then, the two were out of earshot and Dakota only hoped that whatever was said inside would be good for Alessandro.