Today I proved myself as worthy. Worthy of this sport, worthy of this car, worthy of great love.
I climb out of the cockpit and I’m on top of the car within a matter of seconds, screaming, pumping both my fists in the air. On top of the world. Quite literally. The crowd around me is deafening and I’m almost glad to still have my helmet on, because right now it’s just me in here. My moment to celebrate.
There may be cameras flashing all around me, tens of thousands in the stands looking on, millions of eyes at home watching this moment. But in here it’s just me. I can catch my breath, the pure thrill of what this means crashing down on me. My team is in front of me celebrating me, us, and our hard work together to build and drive the perfect car. It’s everything I’ve dreamed of since I was old enough to reach the pedals. It’s everything I’ve worked my absolute ass off to be a part of.
And I can finally say that I deserve it.
And when the bliss of being world champion hits a second time it’s a whole other host of emotions that have me sinking to my knees against the right front wheel of my car. Tears swim in my eyes as I bow my head, knowing there’s at least ten to fifteen cameras around me capturing every angle. Except why should I hold back? I just won the biggest race of my life. So, with the visor still closed, I let the tears fall.
The tyres comfort me for a moment. They were so good today, getting me through the tough moments when I didn’t think I was going to come out on top. They always had my back. I let my helmet rest against them to soak in the joy before I stand, push up the visor and run and fling myself into the crowd of engineers. I’m sure Caleb’s among them somewhere, but it’s hard to see or hear with all the chaos. I know we’ll have our own celebratory moment alone together later.
Seconds later I’m being tossed into the air by my engineers, those guys who made the wonderful car that brought me here. The best thing I’ve ever driven. The whole team has been incredible this year, listening to me and Nils when things haven’t been right and fixing them the best they can. I know next year is only going to be even better for RBF.
There’s talk of podium and press, but I need a minute. I need to see Harper. And although I know we’ll be absolutely fine, even though I’ve stolen this away from him, I still need to hear it from him. It was a fair fight today and all season, really, and I know there was a time when he thought he was going to romp home with the championship. But I was never going to let that happen, not in a million years.
I’m just trying to make my way back to the RBF garage, when, of course, I bump into Jackson Calder. Definitely not the first person I want to see after the win today. He was officially announced as team principal of Hendersohm this morning. Good for him, I guess.
‘Hey,’ I say smoothly, pulling at where my suit is tied around my waist. ‘Congratulations.’ I offer him my hand and he slips his into mine to shake.
I wait, a second, two, three, to feel anything, but there’s nothing. It’s one of the biggest reliefs of my life. I’m actually even a little bit proud of him. He might not have known that he wanted this, but he’s been doing a great job with the team this year and in the other roles he’s taken up over the last three.
‘Thanks, Johannes. I really appreciate that.’ He stinks of champagne and his face is a sticky kind of wet, but he looks at peace, which is good to see after how he’s looked so conflicted for so long. ‘Great win, by the way. Can’t believe it came down to two points in the end.’
‘And you, Constructors world champions again. Next year that’ll be me and Nils.’
‘You wish!’
He lets go of my hand and I go back to twisting the arms of my suit. It’s weird to be congratulating the first man to break your heart.
‘I, uh, I should go and rub my win in Harper’s face. See you around, Jackson.’ He nods, smiles and walks away. This time it doesn’t hurt at all.
I should probably be heading to the cool-down room, but the post-race schedule has already gone to shit and then I spot Harper, so at least we’re both currently missing from it.
‘You’re such a dick. I can’t believe you stole this from me,’ he grumbles, punching me in the shoulder before pulling me into the biggest of hugs. ‘And, I guess I’m proud of you. It was quite the comeback, Jojo.’
‘You’re telling me. There were a couple of moments there when I really thought I wasn’t going to do it. You’ve had a great season, too, Harper. Don’t be harsh on yourself just because you finished second. You guys still brought home the Constructors.’
‘Yeah, I can see Jackson absolutely kicking our asses next year to make sure we actually get both.’ He winces slightly. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring him up.’
‘It’s fine. He’s old news.’
‘You’re a better man than I am, but still, I’m proud of you. It’s been a tough year and look at you, taking home not only a world championship, but a great man. He’s waiting for you, by the way.’
I look round in the direction that Harper is grinning and there he is, standing waiting patiently for me and Harper to finish having our moment.
‘Yeah, I did good, huh?’ I don’t even mean just in the looks department. That smile, while beautiful, is full of pride and it’s all aimed at me right now. To be subject to this level of support is absolutely wild to me, still.
‘We both did.’ I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to the way tears prick the back of my eyes again, mirrored in the way that just for a second his eyes gloss over, too, as if we are almost sharing the same thought. Harper has his family with Kian and Elise and her kids and I’m about to be inducted into some crazy cult, if Caleb’s stories of all his siblings and nieces and nephews is anything to go by. Yet we still have each other, despite everything. It’s crazy to see how far we’ve come since we were fourteen and zooming around in go-karts.
‘Go.’ Harper gives a smack to my ass before letting go of me and shoving me in Caleb’s direction.
‘See you later, okay? We have big celebrations to partake in.’ Although, I’m not sure what time I’ll be able to get away from the team, I know our gang will all be out together this evening.
Before I can say anything, I practically sprint to reach Caleb. I can’t believe he wasn’t the first person I got to celebrate with.
‘Oh, my God! You superstar, you did it! I can’t believe how tight it was, but you did it.’ I’m swept up and practically spun around by Caleb, shocked at his strength until he basically drops me, wheezing a little. ‘Not sure that was a good idea, but so worth it. I’m so proud of you.’
‘I can’t believe we did it, likewe did it.’ I shake him a little too excitedly, but he still just grins at me despite my ridiculousness.
