It is the day after I told Lando about my first and only serious relationship and Zak has given me permission to head to Canada early. I am guessing he thinks that letting me go home early would give me a chance to relax. Well, the thing that it depends on is if Lando will join me. I know that he will have some things to do at the tech centre back in England. I guess that I will meet him at the airport later on. All of these thoughts are going through my mind as I head through Montreal's major airport. I am looking for Jacques. Since I will be staying at home for the duration of the event he organised to make things easy for me. I know he will be worried about me since the crash in Monza was the worst crash of my motorsports career.

"Over here Niki," I hear a familiar voice call out. I turn around to find Jacques. He looks relieved to see me. It is obvious why. Monza was an utter disaster.

"Hey dad," I reply as he pulls me into a hug. Even though there is some lingering pain, the hug fills me with a little joy.

"How are you doing?" He asks as we break apart.

"Well, I am alright all things considered," I reply. Let's just say Nikita is lucky that he has a race ban. He would have to suffer the wrath of Jacques if he didn't. At least someone has my back. It doesn't take long for us to leave the airport. I am soon lost in my thoughts. There are a lot of things that I need to get organised. I find myself staring out of the window as we drive through Montreal. Well, there is nothing that I can do right now.

"Are you sure that you are alright?" Jacques asks.

"Yeah. I am just pissed that Monza didn't go my way because of Mazepin," I say. The truth is I will have to get over it. One thing that is helping is the fact that I am in one of the best midfield cars. I notice the look on Jacques' face change. I know the reason why. It doesn't take long for us to reach the small apartment that Jacques and I call home. At least I now have a week to relax. I dump my stuff by my bed. There is not really much point in unpacking since I will only be here for two weeks. I soon join Jacques in the kitchen.

"I think I am going to get something from Timmy's. Would you like me to get you something?" I remarked. I am using it as an excuse to go for a walk. It may be the thing I need to clear my mind. Jacques shakes his head so I use that as a cue to leave. Well now is my chance to let go of my grudge against Nikita. I soon try my best to cast away the negative thoughts surrounding the crash. It was entirely out of my hands anyway. Plus I do think the FIA have handled it rather well all things considered. There is also another reason. One of my former go-kart teammates is working there and we have managed to remain friends. He should be able to give me some good insight. It doesn't take me long to reach my destination.

"Hey Nik I am guessing you would like one cup of hot chocolate," the cashier says with a grin on his face.

"Yes please, Jason. There is something I would like to talk to you about as well," I responded. I hope that he is near the end of his shift.

"I will ask my boss if I can leave early," He replies. It doesn't take long for him to get his boss' approval to finish early. He joins me at one of the tables.

"What can I do for you, Miss Mclaren?" He gets to work on getting out some answers with me. Oh boy, I didn't realise that people would use the media nicknames when I am only two races in.

"Let's just say I had a run-in with that dirty Russian and I am holding a grudge that I don't want to. I have to focus on my driving," I let out a small rant.

"I think you just need to remember that you have beaten him since you are in the better car. I think you are also getting caught up with what could have been," He concludes his response. He has identified a problem that I haven't given much thought to. I guess other people can pick up on those kinds of things.

"How about I invite you to the Mclaren garage," I announced. I know he is likely to have a paddock pass so it won't be hard for me to convince Zak to let him in. It would be nice to have someone around that isn't a part of the team. It has been a week since then and I am working on what Jason told me about while I wait for Lando. Speaking of Jason I have managed to secure a VIP pass for him since it is my home race. Plus he is karting royalty. I feel like I have come to accept the fact that I was robbed of my best result in Monza but I will have to make sure I keep my cool when I next see Mazepin. It doesn't take long for me to spot Lando. Seeing him makes me feel a lot better.

"Over here," I grabbed Lando's attention. He is quick to join me.

"How was the flight?" I kick-start the conversation.

"Long and boring," Lando replies. It definitely won't be the longest flight of the season. We soon made our way out of the airport. At least my week has gotten a whole lot better. I am sure that our media duties will dampen the mood but I don't want to think about that yet.

"Oh before I forget since it is my home race I will be entertaining a close friend," I warned Lando in advance since Jason is a Formula 1 superfan. In fact, he gave up his Formula 4 seat for me. To this day I have no idea why. Still, I am grateful for what he has done. I dismiss the thought as Lando and I wander through the airport. It has been a couple of days since then and Landop and I are back in the paddock after a two-week break. Today is the main media day and I am getting ready to face questions about the crash and other bits and pieces. I am soon joined by Nicholas Latifi and Lance Stroll for the main press conference of the day. I am impressed that the PR people managed to get the three home drivers and yes that includes me, to do this.

"Let's start with the obvious. How are you all feeling coming into your home race? Especially you Niki, given your disaster in Monza," Hopefully it is the last question to mention the crash.

"I am feeling confident. All things considered," I reply. The truth is I have been given a bit of a reality check since returning home. Of course, I am nervous coming into the race, who wouldn't after a significant crash. The others soon give their responses. After thirty long minutes of answering questions, the main press conference has come to an end and I am glad. You would think driving around for two hours would be the worst part of the weekend but no, it is the questions that are asked. At least I have time to relax before the next media engagement which will be taking Jason out for the VIP hot lap. That is the only thing that has made this day less boring. It doesn't take long for me to reach the hospitality area. I take the seat next to Lando who is briefing Jason on what to expect.

"Just be careful I am certain Niki will drift around the hairpin," Lando says.

"It depends on the brakes," I announced my presence.

"I am sure Niki knows what she is doing. Plus we are on her favourite track," Jason brings up an interesting point. The truth is I am a little biased towards home. After an hour of waiting, I am finally able to get to work on taking Jason around. I find it kind of funny that he isn't nervous about being taken around at speed. I guess we both have enough experience to know what to expect. I soon come to the realisation that I will either have to go wide or drift to get around the hairpin. There is no way that I am going to be able to hit the apex.

"Jason brace yourself. Lando was right, I am going to drift," I warn him just in case. I can see the terror in his eyes. I don't think he was expecting Lando to be right.

"Do what you need to," Jason confirms. I still think he is enjoying himself despite the terror. To my surprise, I am able to get the car around without too much oversteer. With that, it doesn't take me long to make it back to the pits. There I am met by some of the media crew. They soon get Jason's opinion. Well, it looks like I have repaid him for what he did for me all of those years ago. The thought puts my mind at ease ahead of the race.