The drivers parade was eventful with Leah almost falling off the side since she didn't want to sit normally. Max and Lando both yanked her back into a seat and wouldn't let her stand up after that.
They were waiting for the Belgium anthem to start. Leah hated these moments. She loved the place showing its pride, but she hated how the cameras were on her when the person sang because she couldn't keep a straight face and they always came after her for disrespecting a region.
She was standing by Max and Fernando. The person was wearing a very entertaining outfit, with fire sunglasses. Leah made the mistake of looking over to Fernando and he gave her a face which she immediately closed her eyes and forced her lips shut so she couldn't smile as she stared at the ground.
After a breath, Leah looked back down the line and saw Lando and Charles both take the little boys' hats that were standing in front of them. Leah smiled at them since that was adorable. She got distracted by Lewis dancing though before the national anthem even started he was already dancing.
Leah already didn't want to be here, she wanted to be in her car. She was supposed to be pissed off today for the penalties that they'd given her.
So instead of looking around she decided to just focus forward even though when the singing started Fernando looked directly at Leah waiting for her to turn toward him. She did her best to ignore him though, zoning in on the track.
After the anthem, they all applauded. Leah wasn't focused so Max grabbed her hands and clapped for her.
"Sorry, sorry, I've been focusing," Leah whispered.
He moved her off toward the paddock. It was almost time to get ready for the race and Leah was ready. She was ready to throw her win in the steward's faces.
"I saw you laughing," Lando appeared out of nowhere sliding his hand around Leah's waist. She rubbed her forehead.
"I know, I blame Fernando," She sighed. "I'm gonna be in so much trouble, but it's not my fault if I get dragged Nando should as well and George and Lewis."
"He was listening to music and he's Lewis Hamilton, he does now wrong," Lando winked and kissed her temple. "I will see you after the race, I love you."
"Love you most, good luck," Leah told him as their hands left one another.
"Aww so sad, now let's get to the paddock, we've got a race to win," Max muttered.
He walked past her. Leah fought to smile as she noticed the cameras to her right. Instead, she stared at them until she disappeared into the driver's room.
*
"Leah Guessey is starting near the back of the grid today, she seems in the zone though. We haven't seen her eyes since she left her driver's room, so I assume she was spoken to privately, and now her head is in this race," John reasoned. Ted looked at him for a moment.
"Her head may not be in the race, but her heart is and she will always prove herself, Max Verstappen is starting seventh on the grid today. Neither Red Bull is near the front, but by the end of their one of them will win this race. Either Verstappen or Guessey whichever one of them wants it the most," Ted reasoned. He crossed his arms and waited for the lights to go off.
"They have a strong lineup front through with the Ferraris," John reasoned. "Max has his family visiting him and we all know he doesn't like to lose."
"How are you doing, Leah?" Isabella asked. Leah took a deep breath in through her nose and smiled.
"I'm ready to go, it's going to be a fun race," Leah reasoned as the lights went off.
The green flashed and she had to wait a moment. The cars in front of her went forward, but she knew hers was faster. She just had to take positions within the first lap and she would be fine. She fell in line between Valterri and Ocon. She hadn't made a move yet since it was just the start.
"Collision with Piastri and Sainz taking them out of the race, DNF for both," Isabella radioed. Leah passed the two cars as they were both off into the barriers. "Both are fine. You are P11 now."
Leah waited for the right moment on a straight to overtake Valterri. She used her DRS and was able to almost weave through the drivers. She took the inside of Stroll around a corner putting her in P7 now.
"Keep working, there is a DRS train in front of you now. You may have to stay for a bit."
"Nope," Leah laughed a little as she got behind the DRS train. It was just Alonso, Russel, and Norris.
"Leah, where are you?" Max laughed.
"More importantly, where are you? Am I going to pass you once I get past this DRS train?" She asked. She went back and forth waiting for an opportunity to slip past the people.
"No, I am already in third," He chuckled.
"Damn, only P3. That sucks," Leah scoffed as she got past Alonso.
"Shut the fuck up, your P7-,"
"P6 now, how angry do you think people will get when they realize that we will still win from anywhere on the grid?" Leah asked as she laughed a little bit.
"They're going to be pissed Leah, now get up here. I wanna use our new radios," Max added.
He pressed the button disconnecting their radios. They weren't supposed to use them in an actual race, but the temptation was a customized button in their faces.
Leah followed behind the two other cars in front of her waiting for Russel to try and overtake Lando. She watched him go to the outside and slid up not allowing him to retake his spot as she slid around the inside while Lando took them toward the outside almost pushing Russel off the track.
"Did you do that on purpose?" Leah asked. She connected Lando and her radios.
"Oh damn it, I was supposed to defend you," Lando sighed as he realized Leah took off. He watched her car disappear.
"Sorry Love, but you've got to defend against Russel now. You're doing great though, I love you," Leah smiled as she disconnected their radios.
"Are you up here yet?" Max asked.
"God it's like I'm a telephone just always online for anyone to drop in," Leah whispered to herself.
"Yeah, well you were the one to connect our radios, so get up here," Max argued. He was now in P2 behind Leclerc. "Also good luck when you make your way up here."
"Give me two laps," Leah radioed back as she hit the button disconnecting their radios.
"Leah, I have been requested to ask you what song you are singing today?" Isabela asked. She watched Leah catch up to Lewis who was trailing Leclerc now.
"So given how shitty this start was. It's not music with words, it's just hard base," Leah sighed. She realized she was going to have to work to get past these two.
"Leah you are P3, now, P3," Isabella radioed.
38 laps down. 6 more to go.
"Leah, I'm bored up here, where are you?" Max asked. The only response he got was laughing. "That is horrifying, why don't you respond properly." Within seconds he saw her car go past him. "Oh, you fucker."
"And there you have it everyone Guessey and Verstappen are now at the front of the race with only a few more laps to go. They've fought hard and come through. Leah Guessey leads for now, but I doubt Verstappen will allow her to take this win," Ted explained. The two Red Bulls went side to side with one another on a turn.
