You boarded the plane, feeling the usual mix of excitement and fatigue that comes with travel. The flight would be five hours, and the thought of settling into the window seat with a good book or movie was comforting. After stowing your carry-on, you sat down and gazed out at the airport runway, watching as luggage carts moved methodically in the distance and the occasional plane took off. You exhaled deeply, trying to let go of any stress.

It wasn’t until you turned to adjust your seatbelt that you noticed the man sitting beside you. He had just finished placing his bag under the seat in front of him, and as he leaned back, you caught his face. A moment of disbelief flickered through your mind before it sank in: the man sitting next to you was none other than Lando Norris.

He looked over with a friendly smile, completely relaxed in his hoodie and cap. “Hey,” he said casually, as if this were a normal encounter. For him, maybe it was. You tried to process the situation—Lando Norris, the Formula 1 driver, sitting next to you on this flight.

For a moment, you weren’t sure what to say, your mind racing between wanting to acknowledge who he was and not wanting to make it awkward. His calm demeanor made it easier, though. You found yourself smiling back, still a little stunned but feeling the shared sense of calm in the small space between you both.