It has been a day since I went exploring and right now I am getting the car ready for the first free practice session. The irritating thing is while I was working on the car yesterday I noticed something wrong. As you could guess I told Mick's engineer about it however he told me to wait till after the first free practice session. It annoys me but I need to accept the fact that there is nothing that I can do about it. After ten minutes of work, the time has come for me to help get Mick comfortable in the car. Speaking of Mick he is watching over me however he looks concerned. I wonder if his engineer told him about the issue. I hope not as I know Mick will be careful and in this case, it is not a good thing. The team needs both Mick and Nikita to push. Before I can say anything Mick is intercepted by his lead engineer.

"Mick I need to make you aware of an issue that Morgan found," He remarks. I find myself eavesdropping as I get a couple of things done. I know I shouldn't eavesdrop but it is too easy when everyone is connected to the radio system.

"Ok. What was the issue?" Mick responds.

"We'll tell you after FP2," He replies.

"Umm, that might not be a good idea. I'm not sure if the car would last that long with the issue," I speak up. The thing is I can't guarantee that Mick will be safe. It is something that has always bothered me. The horrors of last year's crash flash through my mind. I really don't want a repeat of that day.

"Like I said we can only find out what the issue is after the free practice sessions," Mick's lead engineer retorts. I'm not going to bother with fighting. It depends on if Mick wants to go ahead with both free practices.

"Mick, what do you think?" Mick's lead engineer reads my mind.

"I think it would be a good idea to run in the first free practice session and go from there," Mick gives his opinion. I am flooded with relief. At least someone agrees with me. It doesn't take long for me to help Mick get comfortable. After a brief pause, I send Mick out with a cautious gesture. With Mick out, I take my spot at the pit wall. Hopefully, Yuri doesn't spot my bother. I only say that because I am not in the greatest head space right now. For some reason, I am worried about Mick. I mean I know why from a mechanic's perspective but this feels more personal. Again I shake the thought out of my head as the truth is we have only known each other for a few months. He is just some German that I work with. I try my best to push the thought out of my mind but even with my attention focused on the data. I am quick to notice the issue with Mick's car.

"I think I've found the issue. It looks like there is a strong possibility that Mick will miss FP2," I inform Mick's lead engineer.

"Thank you for letting me know Morgan," He responds. The good thing that comes from it is the fact that I know what I need to fix. The downside. Well, that is a little more complicated. It means Mick might not get the required running time. As soon as the thought crosses my mind a mumble of discontent leaves Mick's lead engineer's mouth. I can see why. Mick has beached himself on the gravel. It seems as if I can't catch a break at Imola. Thankfully it doesn't take long for the car to be retrieved from the gravel. It doesn't take long for my team and I to descend on the car.

"Hmm. I wonder," I think aloud as I begin the process of checking various bits and pieces. The thing is I am quick to find what the problem is. There is a catch. It is not the easiest thing to fix. A sigh falls through my mouth. Clearly, I have bitten off more than I can chew. After thirty minutes we have gotten nowhere. Because of that, I am pulled aside by a worried Guenther.

"So will you be able to fix the car before qualifying?" Guenther asks. I should since the first free practice session took place at midday. We shall see if we can finish the repairs by tonight but I am a little doubtful.

"I am fairly confident that I will get the car fixed now that I know what the problem is," I responded. Maybe a little too confidently. I don't know. I couldn't tell you if I have just overestimated my abilities. I guess I will find out tomorrow. To be fair it was good news that I gave Guenther. After three long hours, all of the work has come to an end. There is only one thing on my mind. That is if you exclude the thought at the back of my mind but that's another story. The thought that is occupying my mind right now is relaxation. I need it before the drama of qualifying. I am about to leave when I am intercepted by Mick.

"Morgan, are you heading back to the hotel?" Mick asks as he finally catches up to me.

"Yeah. I need to relax before tomorrow," I say. I won't be the only one that needs to relax. I am sure Mick will need it after all he has had a bad day at the office. I notice a look that suggests that Mick has an idea. After a quick walk, we make it back to the hotel where we part ways. I get the feeling that his idea involves going out. I kinda hope it does. As Mick is the kind of guy that I feel immediately relaxed around. As I said before, the only thing that I need to do is relax. I quickly made it back to my small room. The first order of business is to get changed out of my work clothes. I don't take too long to find something to get changed into. After two minutes I am ready just in case Mick does want to go out. After two hours of relaxing, I am pulled out of my thoughts by a knock on the door. I quickly open the door to find Mick.

"What can I do for you, Mick?" I ask even though I already know what he is going to ask.

"I was thinking we could go out again," Mick suggests with a smile on his face. Something tells me that there is more to him asking me out. Not that it matters. For some reason, I was hoping that he would ask me out. I grab a few things as I leave the hotel. It doesn't take long for us to make it a nice place. I find myself impressed at how nice the place is. There is just one problem. It is a race weekend. Sometimes I wish I could focus on something other than work.

"Morgan are you ok?" Mick asks. I get the feeling that he is worried about you. He doesn't have to worry. I will be fine in a few races' time. I should be worried about Mick. Oh well, there is nothing that I can do about it.

"Sometimes I struggle to switch off from work. Plus you worry too much," I explain. Mick nods in agreement. Thankfully the topic is quick to change. It is a good thing that Mick is considerate. The more I spend time with Mick the more I realise why Guenther picked me of all people to be Mick's lead mechanic. After two hours of socialising we head back to the hotel. It was nice to relax with someone. It is the day after the qualifying session and it is an all hands on deck situation. Of course, Mick and Nikita didn't qualify well but that's what you get for neglecting research. Don't get me wrong I understand why that has happened but still. I want Mick to do well. I have always wanted the driver that I work under to do well. Right now I am getting the car ready for the rollout. The reason why it is an all hands on deck situation is due to the fact that there are more problems than answers. The good thing is most of the problems are solved. I just need to remain hopeful that Mick doesn't encounter any more problems.

"Hey Morgan, you need to relax," Yuri remarks.

"No, I need this race to be over," I snapped. Wow, I really am stressed. However, Yuri doesn't seem phased by it. I put it down to the fact that he understands how I feel. In fact, I think he has it worse than me. At least Mick finished his first race.

"Don't we all," Yuri responds. After five minutes Yuri and I get our respective cars to the back of the grid. Mick is quick to join me. He seems happy to be racing. I just hope that he can get around the track with little to no issues.

"Morgan it will be alright," Mick seems to pick up on my bother. There really is no hiding from him. That means I am bad at hiding my emotions or he is good at reading people.

"I know but something may go wrong but I'm sure you will be able to make things work," I responded. The truth is Nikita's race one spin has made me realise that there is a lot that can go wrong. I'm still going to try and be optimistic.

"That is the plan," Mick confirms as I get to work on helping him get comfortable. After three minutes of waiting the time has come for the race to start. I am a little on edge as the lights come on one by one. Lights out and away we go. The first thing that I notice is the fact that both Mick and Nikita have gotten poor starts. Oh well, there is not much that I can do about it. I just need to sit back and enjoy the drama that is going to unfold. After thirty minutes of intense action, I notice something off in the data. It looks like Mick's engineer has noticed as well.

"I'm sorry but there is a problem," Mick announces via the radio. I can hear the panic in his voice.

"Mick, make sure you can keep the car under control," Mick's lead engineer replies. I am impressed that he is remaining calm. I put it down to the fact that we have all experienced similar situations before. To make matters worse Max Verstappen is coming up to lap Mick. I know that because I have noticed the blue flags. Then it happens. Mick locks up trying to let Max pass. Instead Mick makes contact with Max's rear left.

"Sorry guys. That was my fault," Mick apologises.

"Don't worry Mick," His lead engineer gets to work on reassuring him.

"Hey, Morgan will Mick have to retire?" He turns his attention to me. I quickly scan through the data.

"No but he will have to be careful," I responded. Mick's lead engineer is quick to pass the message on. After an hour disaster strikes. Mick locks up again. This time he gets beached in the gravel. With that Guenther releases an appropriate curse word. Well, my hunch was right. Oh well, there is nothing that I can do till the car comes back to the garage. After two minutes of waiting the car arrives back at the garage. I am about to get to work but I am pulled aside by Guenther. He soon leads me to the hospitality area where an ashamed looking Mick is.

"I thought you fixed the issue," Guenther remarks. For some reason I find myself clamming up. The same thing happened last year when Romain Grojean lost control.

"Guenther it's my fault, not Morgan's. I was the one that locked up," Mick breaks the silence.

"No Guenther is right to blame me. I thought I fixed everything but there was clearly something that I missed," I finally spoke up. There is not much that I can do. Stuff happens.

"You are both at fault," Guenther retorted. I can tell that Mick is not happy about it. He looks a little hot under the collar. I wish Guenther wasn't standing between us so I could calm him down. This situation would be something that Mick was not used to. Thankfully the rant doesn't last too long.

"And last but not least Morgan I asked you if you had fixed the car and you said yes," I don't know why Guenther is ending his rant like that when it is bone obvious that I missed something.

"I already said I must have missed something," I responded in a purposefully snarky tone. That probably didn't help my situation. Thankfully Geunther leaves before he adds to the already worsening situation. I find myself collapsing onto the nearest chair.

"Morgan are you all right?" For some reason, Mick wants to check on me.

"Yeah. I'll be fine. How about you?" I decide to return the favour as this is the first time that Mick has been on the receiving end of one of Guenther's famous rants.

"I'm just annoyed that I made a mistake that cost me the race," Mick replies. It is something that I understand. Even though I am not a driver I have made mistakes that have had bad consequences.

"Mick you can't let mistakes define you," I get to work on reassuring Mick. It seems like those words have done the trick. I am glad that I made Mick smile despite the crappy day that he is having. After a minute of relaxing, I head back to the garage to get to work. It is going to be another late night.