I can feel the tension in the air. It is the last race of the season. It has been a whirlwind season for me. The thing is I need to win this race to tie the record with my father. The thought is making me a little more stressed than normal. I have decided to listen to my pre-race playlist to calm my thoughts down. The good thing is I have chosen some quite upbeat songs to concentrate on. After four songs have played I am interrupted by my teammate Lewis Hamilton. I pause my music and remove my headphones.

"Liesel, the pre-race briefing is on in five minutes," Lewis remarks. It will probably be a pep talk from Toto Wolff. At least Lewis is trying to be helpful. In fact, I am glad that he reminded me since I had forgotten. I follow Lewis to the makeshift meeting room where Toto is standing. I am impressed by the nature of the energy going through the garage.

"Ok everyone is here. Let's get started," Toto remarks. He gets to work on making sure that everyone knows their job. I try my best to concentrate but Toto is telling everyone things that they already know. It doesn't take long for the briefing to come to an end.

"Any questions?" Toto asks just in case there is. I glance at Lewis just to make sure because I know I haven't got any questions.

"No," Lewis responds for the group.

"Ok then. Good luck Liesel, Lewis," Toto dismisses everyone. It doesn't take long for me to make it to the garage where I am met by my lead mechanic. He seems a little too cheerful. I put it down to the fact that he is one of three people that have helped me become the driver I am today. I don't know why I am thinking like I am going to retire. I know I have a few seasons left in me.

"Thank you for your hard work this season, James," I remarked as I got to work on getting my protective gear over my head. It doesn't take me long to finish getting ready since I have done the stuff that takes the most time already.

"Hey, I am happy to help. Good luck as well Liesel," James responds. As he helps me with getting comfortable in the car. I soon aligned the car with the pole position. As I wait for the lights to go out I find myself gripping the steering wheel. I put it down to the fact that I am tense. I mean I am close to beating Lewis. I just need to maintain my lead. The count down soon comes to an end and I manage to get away cleanly. It's going to be a close one but I know it will be fun for a race in Abu Dhabi. It only takes one lap for me to find myself in a battle with Max Verstappen. I will give the kid some credit because he knows what he is doing.

"Liesel, I'd watch your slipstream," my lead engineer warns me via the radio.

"Roger, I'll be careful," I responded. I wish that he would tell me something that I didn't know. The thing is I can't get mad at him for giving me useless information because he is only doing his job. After a defensive maneuver, I made it to turn two with some distance between Max and I. The thing is now I have to catch Lewis. After thirty minutes of racing, I have managed to close the gap. Now I reckon I can make it past him without team orders. I hope it won't be needed. I use Lewis' bout of understeer to slip past him on the inside. I'd watch the inside if I were you, Lewis. After an hour of racing the only person to have kept up with me is Max. That means that Lewis has had some issues.

"Liesel we are letting you know that Lewis has had to retire due to a collision with Seb," My engineer confirms my suspicion. I quickly spot the chequered flag as I head down the start/finish straight. I am in first place which means I have equalled my father's record. I can feel an overwhelming surge of emotions.

"Liesel we have done it. You have equalled Michael's record," The voice on the end of the radio catches me by surprise.

"No Toto you did. Thank you for seeing my potential," I let my emotions run free. I bring the car to a stop in the Parc-Ferme area. At least there is a weight off my shoulders now. After what feels like a long podium ceremony I have made it back to the garage where I am met by a thunderous round of applause and a series of congratulations. I am intercepted by Lewis.

"You should watch your inside more often, Lewis," I tease.

"It would not have mattered. You're just too good," Lewis compliments me.

"Well, I learnt from the best," I retorted. The thing is I reckon the only reason why I am a champion for Mercedes is due to the fact that the team owes it to my father. Not that it matters since I have made a name for myself anyway. Now for the press stuff. The only thing about Formula 1 that I dislike the most is the fact that the press like to compare me to my father. The thing is I am not my father. I may have his skill but I am my own person. I don't bother with getting out of my race suit because I just want the press stuff over and done with. I manage to get through the paddock without much drama. I take the seat next to Max and Lewis. At least I am not on my own. The reporters soon get to work.

"So Liesel, how does it feel being one world championship away from beating your father's record?" here come the questions.

"Well it is going to make things interesting at home but I don't think it matters just so long as he is proud of my efforts," I responded. I know he will be because by being a woman in F1I am being an inspiration to young girls. I am hoping that I have answered the question correctly. It has been a couple of weeks since the Abu Dhabi race and I am back home in Munich. To relax I am currently helping my best friend and roommate with her book store.

"So Liesel do you have any plans for the offseason?" She asks.

"Well other than helping you Jenna and visiting my family in Switzerland no. I am home free for the next three months," I responded. That's the only issue I have with F1. The fact that seeing my family only happens for a couple of weeks during the season. At least I don't have anything in terms of work to do with the car just yet. Regardless of my position as a driver, I am always happy to help my best friend. My attention is drawn to the ring of the little bell attached to the door. I spot the customer as he walks in.

"What can I do for you?" I beat Jenna to the question.

"I have come to pick up an order for Hans," The man responds. I quickly checked the pre-order pile to find the book for him. I am glad that Jenna is organised when it comes to the pre-order stuff. I pass him the book as he pays. As he leaves my phone rings. I check the caller ID in case it's my mum, sister, brother or father.

"Sorry Jenna, I need to answer this," I let her know.

"Go for it," Jenna responds. I am glad that she understands. I step out of the shop just in case it is something personal. I answered the phone to find my mum in a panic.

"Liesel, your father has been involved in an accident," my mum announces. I can tell just by the nature of her voice that it is serious. It is a skill that I have learnt through the radio communications with my engineer. The thing is I know the exact type of accident. My father is an avid skier now that he has made a permanent retirement from motorsports.

"I'll see if I can get a flight to Zurich as soon as possible ok," I tell her what I am going to do. The only time I have been this nervous is when my younger brother Mick is involved in crashes. Let's just say my worst flaw is the fact that I am overprotective of my family.

"Ok. I'll see you later," my mum hangs up on me. I let Jenna know that I will be gone for a few weeks. The good thing is she is used to it because of the nature of my job. After thirty minutes of driving and walking, I have made it to the gate where the plane will be departing from. I can feel a panic attack trying to work its way up. It is not helped by the fact that I have a message from my mum.

M: your father is in a coma.

I send a quick response so that I don't feel as bad. After three long hours of travel, I have made it to the hospital where I am met by my mum and my younger brother. I soon turned my attention to my mum.

"Mum, have you told Gina?" I take charge. I feel like it is my duty to make sure that everything is under control.

"Gina told me she was catching the train," my mum responds before bursting into tears. I quickly pull her into a hug. That means she will be an hour behind me. I know that for a fact. I mean we are going to have to wait for an hour anyway. After what feels like an eternity of pacing we are finally joined by Gina and the doctor. The doctor seems to be on the optimistic side which makes my mum perk up a little.

"I have some good news. Michael may recover but the bad news is the chance is very slim," the doctor divulges his report. If there is anything that being in Formula 1 has taught me it is that any chance is a good chance even if it is small.

"Can we see him?" my mum timidly asks. The thing is even if we could see him I don't think I would be able to stand the sight of my father hooked up to the various life support machines. I quickly dismiss the thought as I need to be strong for my father.

"Yup follow me," The doctor responds. Gina, my mum and I follow him into the VIP room that he will be staying in. I am stunned by the nature of the various machines. I try my best to keep calm but I just can't. There are no words that can begin to describe the heartbreak I am feeling right now. For some reason I find myself grasping at my mum's shoulder as I am overwhelmed by my emotions. I think it would be better if I dismissed myself just so I can calm myself down.

"Mum I'm going to have to make some phone calls," I excuse myself as I leave the room. I am going to call the one person that I can trust to get me through this. That person being Toto. I am glad that he is quick to answer. Even though I know that I can trust him I make it brief since I know he has a lot of work to do. Now for the next call. I take a deep breath as I dial the next number. I can't believe that I am going to bring in Lewis for help but I need all of the help I can get.

"Liesel what's wrong?" He asks. I explain everything. The fact that I am letting Lewis know means it must be real and not a nightmare.

"Ok I'll see what I can do," Lewis responds before hanging up. I head back into the room where my father is. I can feel the tears working their way up. The good thing is Mick has decided to give me a hug. I feel for him since he was there. No sixteen year old should go through this. After two hours of being by my father's bedside, I have finally decided to head to the family home.

"Mum, I'm going to head to the family retreat and rest for the night. Please let me know if anything changes," I let my mum know. To my surprise, Mick and Gina have joined me. I release the mother of all sighs as my siblings and I head to the car. Even though I have avoided crying as of now. I still wish that this is a nightmare I could wake up from. At least I know I will have help when I need it.

A/N I am giving this story a much-needed re-write as this was written before I knew too much about F1. Please let me know if I am on the right track. As always don't forget to vote/comment if you enjoy it.