It was after a Grand Prix where Max had finished well off the podium. He was frustrated, annoyed, and you could tell he didn't want to talk. But the silence weighed heavily, so you tried to strike up a conversation. But instead of opening up, he exploded.

“You don't understand a thing! You think this is easy? I don't have time to deal with your moods on top of the pressure of racing!” he said from behind the garage.

You, wounded, replied: “Oh yeah? Do you think it's easy to be with someone who only thinks about F1? I feel like an option in your life!”

A heavy silence. Max looked at you with an expression you didn't know he had.

• “Maybe you're right. If this is a problem for you... then we should stop.”