Chapter Text
„What do you mean you quit?“ Richard barked out, staring at his teammate in shock.
„I won't sign another contract, Reesh. I don't... I don't feel like doing this anymore. I am only getting older and I am not the same person I was when I got into this. I don't have the drive anymore. When I win, I win, but when I don't? It's okay too and it shouldn't be like that. I cannot fight without wanting to fight. I see the track and I do not see the racing line anymore, I do not calculate the braking distance, I just see all the things that could go wrong and all the places where I could crash. I see my daughter's face and I get so scared. Scared of what could happen to me and terrified I will leave once and never see her again. I cannot race like this. It is not possible anymore. It is time to make space for someone new.“
„Danny, I...“
„There is nothing you could say that would convince me to stay. I've already talked to the team, they know about my decision. I just wanted to tell you personally.“
Richard took a few steps to the minibar, grabbing a bottle of vodka and two glasses. He poured the drinks and without a word he drank the first one, offering the other glass to Danny. He took it, but did not drink. It was a while before Richard spoke again, sitting down on the couch.
„This could be your year, you know. The car looks awesome, fuck, even now we were finishing half a minute in front of the field. Just imagine what we can do this season. You could get the title,“ Richard smiled feebly.
„Richard... don't. Please. We both know that is not happening to team's number two.“
Richard opened his mouth to say something, but one look from his teammate shut him up immediately. He sighed. Of course he knew Danny was right, but no one ever said it out loud. Officially, the team didn't have numbers 1 and 2, both drivers were equal and with the same chances. Theory looked good, no? But when it came to it, Danny was always the one who had to yield. Always the one with a compromised strategy. It wasn't exactly a secret, everyone with eyes and a minimum F1 knowledge would know. But you don't talk about it. So instead of saying anything, he just looked at Danny.
„I've made my decision. I will get a break, get my life in order, and finally spend some time with family. Finally, I will be there for my girl’s birthday.“
„What if… what if you regret it?“ Richard asked quietly. He stared at his friend and couldn't shake the feeling that Danny is not telling him everything. He felt like he was looking at someone he couldn't recognize. Danny was always smiling, a stark contrast to Richard's resting bitchface. Always so full of energy, to the point where it was sometimes nearly impossible to make him shut up. The man sitting in front of Richard was a stranger, too silent and too serious.
„I will never know until I try, I guess,“ Danny shrugged, sipping from his glass. „Maybe I will miss the whole circus so much I will come back as your race engineer.“
Richard couldn't help it but laugh. „I don't think I could handle you telling me all the shit I do wrong.“
„And I don't think I could handle listening to you the entire race.“
„Then it's settled. Do not come back as my race engineer. Please,” Richard chuckled and stood up. “Another drink?” he asked, filling his own glass again. When Danny shook his head, Richard only shrugged again and drank alone. During the season, he only usually drank the champagne on the podium, sticking to a very strict diet and training regime. But now the season was over and he had a few weeks of peace where nobody would raise an eyebrow over the fact he poured maple syrup on his pancakes or drank vodka in the afternoon.
“Already drowning your sorrow?”
“Oh yes, I absolutely cannot live without you,” Richard rolled his eyes.
„I will still come around for a few races, don't worry. You will still see my handsome face around,“ Danny laughed and Richard couldn't help it but smile. He was gonna miss having Danny around. They were good friends off track, and they trusted each other on track. Richard knew he could race Danny hard without having to worry about crashing, and he knew that despite being friends and teammates, Danny won't give him anything for free. Richard considered himself very lucky to be able to learn from Danny. His precise, analytic approach to racing was a complete opposite to Richard's raw speed and hunger.
„Now it's your turn to be the mentor,“ Danny grinned. Richard's eyes widened and he sank back on the couch.
„What do you mean? They already have a replacement for you? So soon?“ he babbled, trying to absorb the news.
„Well, I've been talking about quitting for a while, you know. Especially with Oliver. And we have academy drivers, one of them ought to get the seat. Or maybe one of the drivers losing their seat to the rookies. I don't know much, honestly. Schneider's contract ran out and he is being replaced by a rookie, so it could be him too. But I've heard he is in talks with Ferrari.“
„Wait, Schneider is being replaced?“ Richard blinked, brow furrowing in confusion. „But he finished P3 in the Drivers championship? They don't want to keep him? He is their best chance at beating us. Or me, I guess,“ Richard corrected himself. „Why would they risk something like that? They got a rookie last year, this makes no sense. They need the experience.“
„Holy shit, Richard, have you been living under a rock? No one in the paddock is talking about anything else! Apparently this new guy won almost every F2 race, is incredibly quick and brings a shitload of new sponsors. They are sure he can challenge for wins straight away. Schneider is just… old news for them. They want new blood, new faces, new fans. I've heard that they didn't even give Schneider a chance to persuade them. This rookie is done with F2 after winning, so they gotta put him somewhere. Sucks for Schneider tho. He's a damn great driver.“
Richard stared out of the hotel window. He didn't know what to feel, honestly. In a matter of a few minutes, his entire future shifted. His teammate was leaving, his biggest rival probably retiring as well and Richard suddenly felt old. So very old. It seemed like yesterday when it was his first season and he felt like Alice in Wonderland. Everything was new and strange and exciting. When did it start feeling so... ordinary? Mundane? Since when was he a citizen of Wonderland and not the bright eyed Alice? And what is going to happen now? Richard hated meeting new people, new colleagues. Hell, even joining a new team was hard for him. He was always polite and tried his best, but meeting new people made him uncomfortable. He was used to his friend group, his part of the garage, and the thought of having to get acquainted with a complete stranger made his stomach queasy. Even worse, he was supposed to be a mentor? Why do things have to change all the goddamn time?
„Richard? Richard! Earth to Reesh!“
Richard's head snapped to look at Danny, who apparently tried to get his attention, waving his hand in front of Richard's face.
„Huh?“ he managed to get out, still not completely aware of his surroundings.
“We should probably go.”
“Go? Where?” Richard blinked, confused.
“The team meeting? The reason why I came here to pick you up?” Danny raised his eyebrows. “It was the first thing I said when you had the nerve to ask me why I am waking you up. At 10 am, may I add.”
“Well, you will surely forgive me for forgetting, considering the fact you dumped the fact you’re quitting on me like, a few seconds later,” Richard smirked and Danny rolled his eyes at the pouting man in front of him. “Why do we even need a team meeting? We had one yesterday. And the day before. And the day before that.”
Danny had to fight the urge to laugh at Richard, who was getting dangerously close to a temper tantrum. For an adult man he sure sometimes acted like a damn toddler. Thankfully, now much less than in the beginning of their partnership.
“Well, there are still a lot of things to deal with, before you get back to the factory. For example, you should get a new teammate. Very important part of the team, you know.”
„You know I don't want a new teammate,“ Richard growled.
„Well, teams need two drivers, in case one of them decides to run his rival off the track and then park the car in the barrier,“ Danny noted, remembering an incident between Schneider and Richard from one of the races. They both needed every point they could get for the championship and Richard's hot head got the best out of him. He missed the apex of the corner, braking too late and Schneider ended up cutting the corner. In the following one, he did the same to Richard, except Richard lost control of the car. Angry, with his front wing stuck in the barrier, he threw his steering wheel out of the car and ended up with a penalty for the next race.
„That only happened once,“ Richard shrugged. „And it was my line. I've left him enough space.“
„Of course,“ Danny smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. He knew Richard too well and he's been dreading telling him about his retirement. Truth be told, he knew he wouldn't continue after just a few races. Racing just wasn't his reason to wake up in the morning anymore, and he knew this was his last shot at the title. But Richard dominated right from the start, unbeatable even in free practice. He remembered the exact time he realized he cannot go on anymore.
The team was coming up with new car settings, trying to run new sensors for the floor. He was gonna ask who exactly should be the one with heavier car and experimental settings, but he didn't have to. His name was hanging in the air, looming over him and he knew. He knew that even if he did everything right, he wouldn't be the one to challenge for the title. The one to challenge Richard. But he liked Richard, liked his hunger and driving style and also the funny guy he became once out of the car. What he couldn't take anymore was teammate Richard. He was debating changing teams, but Richard would still be there. Still on the highest step, spraying champagne and grinning during the German anthem. But he would never tell Richard that. He was his friend, probably best friend in the entire Formula 1 circus. How could he tell him he is the reason why he cannot do his job anymore? It was easier to blame it on family and a lack of interest. Easier to pretend he was a real family man now and not the hungry racing driver.
„It's so late though,“ Richard muttered. „Most of the contracts are already signed since mid season. Fuck it, I thought you signed when I didn't hear anything! I want you to stay. Please. We are a great team Danny, we can do so much more. Please.“
Danny stared at Richard. He expected a lot of things from his friend, he expected him to yell and shout, or maybe just shrug and tell him he doesn’t care. He expected a lot, but not Richard begging. He had no idea how to react, so he only bit his lip and looked away from the other man, who was still watching him intently, with a plea in his eyes. Danny shook his head.
Richard bounced his leg rapidly, nervously tapping on his knee. Danny only saw Richard like this a handful of times, but he still remembered what helps - even though they weren’t supposed to and Richard’s personal trainer would kick his ass if he found out. He reached into his jacket pocket and took out a cigarette box. Without a word, he offered his friend one and he took it, waiting for Danny to light it for him. He took a long drag and his shoulders relaxed.
It took a while for either of them to speak.
“It’s done now. Whatever happens now, happens without me.”
Richard blew out a cloud of smoke.
The walk to the team meeting was a silent one. Richard barely noticed they'd left the hotel and got in the car waiting for them outside. He was sure Danny was saying something, but couldn’t bring himself to pay any attention. He stared out of the window the entire drive, vaguely aware of the fact their driver had an issue with shifting the gear from second to third.
His mind was buzzing with all the possible outcomes of today and all the what ifs, but he knew those are just daydreams now. Everything is about to change and Richard wondered if he is up for the challenge.
He let his mind wander and only snapped back into reality when they stopped in front of their team building.
„Morning, gentlemen,“ Till greeted them with a huge smile on his face as they walked in. Till was a part of Richard’s team, the best mechanic around, working with Richard since his F3 days. It was actually a part of Richard's contract that Till goes wherever he does. He trusted his opinions and expertise more than anyone else’s. Change to the car settings? Only if Till says so. He knew Richard’s racing style, he knew how he handled the car. If he said something is bullshit, then he had Richard’s full trust and support. And Till never let him down.
„Hi,“ Richard growled, not feeling like pretending everything was fine. Till only raised his eyebrows.
„I guess that went well,“ he turned to Danny, who only nodded and let out a sigh.
„You knew it too? Why the fuck am I the last to know anything?“ Richard moaned, pouting again.
„Hey, you’re not the last! There are thousands of fans who have no idea Danny is quitting. You’re actually one of the firsts to know!“ Till said, doing his best to sound encouraging. He hated seeing Richard in such a state and tried his best to lift his spirits. „You're gonna love your new teammate.“
„You know who it is?“ Richard barked, sharper than he intended, eyes wide.
„Yeah, I do, Oliver told me this morning, right after they signed the contract,“ the mechanic nodded, „but only because I bumped into them by his office, so he didn't have a choice. He’s gonna be good for you, trust me.“
„Good for me? Danny here is good for me, we are the best team in the sport right now. We have the record for most consecutive double finishes and most podiums as teammates. Who else could be good enough? How can I expect to win another title if I gotta babysit?“
„I won’t let you guilt trip me, you know that. None of this will work, my contract is over and a new one is signed with someone else, so please, for the love of God, stop pouting and at least act like you do not hate the new guy’s guts, ok? It’s not his fault I quit.“ Danny said sternly, looking Richard in the eyes. The other man only mumbled something that could be understood as agreement.
„Thank you,“ Danny beamed. Till gave Richard an encouraging pat on the shoulder.
„It will be fine, Champ. Trust me.“
„Always,“ Richard sighed.
The fact Till knew who his new teammate was and looked so calm about it was somehow very reassuring, but Richard still couldn't shake the slight feeling of betrayal from Danny. Of course it was his decision and there was nothing anyone could do, but it still hurt. It hurt him that Danny didn't tell him sooner, it hurt him that everyone around knew and it hurt him that Danny did not want to make history together. They could have been the greatest.
„So, ready to meet your new partner?“ Till asked, stopping in front of Oliver’s office.
„Well, as ready as I'll ever be,“ Richard shrugged. „And don't call him my partner. It'll be a colleague at most.“
Till only chuckled when he held the door of the office open for Richard to walk in, but as soon as the driver walked in, he froze in the doorway.
He expected a rookie. He expected someone he's never met and he expected nervous introductions.
He did not expect Christoph Schneider.