#the rise and fall of mclaren this season
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okay i need an lando x reader now after p3 in qatar where he is finally happy again and the reader is the first who is there for him after the race.
Me when i have requests dating back all the way to last September! 😟
Look How Amazing You Are (LN4)
Summary: After Lando’s disastrous qualifying in Qatar and redeeming podium just hours later, Y/n is there to remind Lando of where his worth truly lies.
Warnings: references to q*t*r qual*fy*ng l*ndo (i sobbed for him that weekend), language, references to lando beating himself up (verbally not physically lol), talks of a marriage proposal
“AND IN COMES LANDO NORRIS! THE MAN STARTING AT P10 ONLY TO FINISH THIS RACE IN P3, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL RACE FOR NORRIS!” The man screamed into the microphone as Lando zipped by in his favorite papaya car.
Y/n, tears in her eyes, flashed back to the night before as she stared at the TV in the McLaren Garage, her boyfriend finishing better than he had anticipated. He had cried in her arms as they sat on the hotel bed as she tried to remind him of all the accomplishments he had made so far in the 2023 season. He had argued with her, telling her none of that meant shit if he continued to screw up as he did in qualifying and she had countered back, fighting against the verbal abuse he was putting himself through.
To say the least, she was scared for this race. She knew if he finished poorly, he would’ve been destroyed. It was concerning slightly when she genuinely took a look at how much Lando put his self-worth into racing, knowing one wrong move and he was so incredibly heartbroken. She hated to see him get angry with himself over something so minuscule in the grand scheme of things. So, as she watched him rise above everything he had gone through the day before and finish on a podium, she was on the verge of crying.
Jon pushed through the people in the garage, making his way to Y/n and smiling widely at her, giddy over the boy’s achievement.
“Come on, Y/n! You can see him when he pulls up at the podium if we leave right now!” He grabbed her hand, dragging her out to the outside and down the pitlane to reach the big podium.
“Jon! I never go to the gates!” She laughed as he continued pulling her throughout the masses.
All he did was look back at her with a dismissive glance, “He’s going to want you to be there after everything that’s happened this weekend!”
They reached the mass of papaya colored engineers and Jon pulled her throughout them, pushing them and apologizing, before shoving her in the front and center of the group. Just as he got his phone out, hitting record on his camera and knowing he was about to capture something that would have fangirls swooning, Lando began slipping out of the seat in his car.
A flash of green helmet invaded her vision as Lando began sprinting toward the group, his visor up and eyes wrinkled with a smile hiding beneath the protective gear.
“I DID IT, Y/N!” He screamed over all the whooping and hollering, falling into her arms as he giggled with joy.
She smiled back just as excited for him, “YOU DID, LAN! I’M SO PROUD OF YOU!”
Hands and arms from the engineers surrounded them, patting Lando’s back and congratulating him on his finish. Jon stood next to the couple, still recording and elated for Lando.
When the boy pulled back, his eyes bore into his girlfriend’s as she grabbed ahold of his helmet and said, “Before you go up there, can you please repeat after me?”
He cocked his head, nodding nonetheless.
She shook his head lightly, “You are amazing and no bad qualifying defines how amazing you are.”
She could see the blush that riddled his cheeks as he continued to nod at her.
“That’s not repeating!” She exclaimed, looking at him sternly but both knowing how much of her love was held in the moment.
“I’m amazing and no qualifying defines how amazing I am.” He said begrudgingly, still smiling at her from behind his green helmet.
She grabbed ahold of their interlocked hands and kissed the back of his, “Thank you. I love you so much.”
He hugged her once more, “I love you too. Thank you.”
Jon ended the video just as Lando skipped off to the podium, leaning towards Y/n and showing her his phone.
“Aww, Jon, can you send that to me?” She asked, hearing Lando’s voice played back as he repeated her words back to her.
He nodded, “Already done.”
—
“Thank you.” Lando whispered into the quietness of the night as Y/n laid on his chest, her hair sprawled out on the pillow on the side she was supposed to be one. Although, Lando had pulled her into him the moment they hit the mattress, telling her she would not be sleeping on her side of the bed at all that night.
Y/n turned her head, her chin propped against his chest so she could look at him, “For what?”
He stared at the ceiling, “For being there for me through it all. I was a mess last night and you still sat with me, tried to talk me out of everything I was feeling. Then, today you celebrated the podium with me, reminding me of how wrong my words were last night. I just-” He peered down at her, “I love you so much and I’m so grateful to have you.”
She smiled, “Lan, you’re so sweet. I love you too and I’ll always be here for you, no matter what it’s for.”
He nodded, “I know. Doesn’t mean I still can’t tell you how rare it is to have what I have, which is you.”
The darkness of the room masked her red cheeks, “Well, that’s very nice of you.”
She rested her head back down, hearing his heart beat faster than usual, “Why’s your heart going crazy?”
He laughed, “I think because I just realized I’m ready to start planning a proposal.”
Her mouth fell open and she sat up, “For marriage?!”
He got up, sitting next to her and nodding, “Yes, is that too soon for you?”
“No,” She said without hesitation.
“Good,” He gave, lying back down and pulling her with him.
His heart still beat quite quickly as she listened to it, and her body filled with warmth. Maybe that was because Lando was just warm or the fact that he just told her they would be getting engaged soon, she didn’t know. A mix of both, she thought.
“You’re about to make so many young girls mad.” Y/n joked, eyeing her left ring finger and imaging a band around it.
Lando just chuckled and shook his head, “As long as I make you happy, I think I’m good. Happy wife, happy life, and all that.”
#mclaren#f1 x reader#f1 fanfic#f1 imagine#f1 fic#lando norris x reader#lando norris imagine#lando norris fanfic#lando norris fluff#lando norris imagines#lando norris fic#lando x reader#lando imagine#lando norris#lando norris edit#lando norris fanfiction#lando norris x you
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DTS storyline predictions
Now that the teaser for season 6 is out, here’s a few cents on what storylines DTS s6 is likely to go for.
(Health warning that I don’t think these teammate or driver dynamics are necessarily true in real life, I am simply saying that if I wanted to make a bucketload of money as a Netflix producer this is how I’d overly dramatise events)
1. The Matador: Carlos Sainz the hunter, in the shadow of his own teammate, unloved, hungry, determined; his own team dragging him down with a net named strategy; the prey (his teammate) biting back; the hunter chases the bull and emerges victorious.
2. It’s lonely at the top : Caesar is all-powerful, but the council has knives; over 10 minutes of screentime will be spent on George and Max (dickhead!); checo’s early challenge for the crown at Jeddah; Max’s all out crushing of his competitors’ efforts; Max as a polarising figure.
3. The prodigal son/the resurrection of Lazarus: Daniel Ricciardo’s fall, rehabilitation, and triumphant return; Christian Horner dragging Zak Brown; returning “home” to Red Bull but it’s like a den of wolves (perform or die); THE BROKEN HAND (pain suffering hospital); brief victory at Mexico (Daniel did well that race).
4. The Young Guns: Oscar’s meteoric season vs Nyck’s crash out of F1; Logan struggling to keep his seat; cutthroat Marko vs supportive dad Vowles (Qatar will be milked to death for dangerous conditions).
5. The Old Hands: Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, old rivals, still desperate and hungry like a pair of lions still battling for the top; the inverse fates of Aston Martin falling vs Mercedes rising as the season progresses
6. The Older Sibling and the Prodigy: McLaren’s rollercoaster of a season; Lando’s run of P2 but no wins; Oscar’s sprint race win; jealousy, rivalry, hunger, bitterness.
7. The Civil War: the infighting at Alpine, childhood friends turned rivals turned bitter enemies; Esteban’s no good very bad penalty day; Esteban’s Monaco podium; Pierre’s Zandvoort podium; their no holds barred infighting on radio; team orders; management chaos (Otmar leaving)
8. Man overboard: Mark my words DTS will spend a whole episode on Guenther ending in his abrupt departure from Haas and he will be sent off with 300% more respect than four time world champion Sebastian Vettel.
#f1#dts#drive to survive#commentary and thoughts welcome#feel free to add any storylines you think might feature#carlos sainz#daniel ricciardo#lando Norris#Lewis hamilton#Fernando Alonso#nyck de vries#Logan sargeant#Oscar piastri#Pierre gasly#Esteban ocon#Charles leclerc
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Love in Motion
Chapter Two
Synopsis: Lydia gets a wrong number text from Lando Norris.
Note: This is not an accurate portrayal of how the real people in this act. I do not know them personally, so I will not be portraying them accurately.
Warnings for this chapter: None
Previous Chapters: Chapter One
Next Chapter: Chapter Three
Masterlist
April 4, 2022
9 pm
I groan, leaning back in my chair. I glare at the lab manual I’ve been trying to make sense of for the past two hours. I glance over at my phone as it lights up with a message from someone. I pick it up to respond to the message. It's a message from Luke. My eyebrows rise in surprise.
Luke: Good morning!
Me: Uh, hi. Good morning! Did you sleep well?
Luke: I did! Has the rest of your day gone well?
Me: The rest of my day has gone okay. I’ve been staring at a stupid lab manual for the past two hours. I’ve been trying to make sense of it because I have to do the lab tomorrow.
Luke: That sounds awful. I’m so thankful I’m no longer in school.
Me: Yeah, I’m jealous. I’m searching for jobs in my dream field, but I haven’t found any that allows me to do what I want yet.
Luke: Oh? What’s your dream job then?
Me: My ultimate dream job is working as a photographer in the motorsport world, preferably F1, but I’d take any motorsport. My next dream job is just anything that allows me to travel the world taking photos.
Luke: That would be an awesome job. I recently got into photography as a hobby. Do you have any photos you’d be willing to share with me?
Me: Sure!
I send him five of my favourite photos I’ve taken. Two are of cars on the move, one is a still life of a bunch of cars from a car show, the fourth is a sunset, and the last is of a group of people playing soccer.
Luke: Holy shit! Those are amazing!
Me: Thanks! I’m really proud of these photos. They’re some of my favourite ones I’ve taken.
Luke: They’re beautiful.
Me: Thank you! So, you mentioned that you’re no longer in school. Can I ask what exactly you do?
I wait for a minute, but get no response. I decide to mess around on my phone for a bit while waiting for a response. After 5 minutes of not getting a response, I set my phone down. Right as I set my phone down, a notification for my chat with Luke pops up and I quickly click it.
Luke: I am an event manager for McLaren F1 team.
Me: Really? That is so cool! I wanted to do event management in sports before I was in chemistry, though I was wanting to get into baseball. If I was still event management, I’d want to do motorsports now. Do you enjoy it? What does that entail?
Luke: I plan events for the fans mainly.
Me: That sounds like a fun job.
Luke: Why did you switch?
Me: My parents thought I wouldn’t find a job that would make as much money as they do, so they made me switch to chemistry because it has higher paying jobs.
Luke: Well, that’s stupid. Were you happy in event management?
Me: Yeah, I was. But my parents are paying for my college, so I have to do what they want.
Luke: That’s very stupid. I take it you aren’t happy with chemistry?
Me: No, I’m not. But I’ve only got two years left of chemistry, so it’ll be all good!
Luke: Alright, well good luck.
Me: Thanks! How’s your hangover?
Luke: I actually didn’t drink that much, so no hangover for me!
Me: That’s very nice. I’ve never been hungover. I don’t drink a lot when I do drink. Can’t stand the taste of alcohol lol
Luke: Oh yeah, I get that.
Me: Do you want to play a game?
Luke: What game?
Me: 21 Questions? To get to know each other?
Luke: That sounds like a good idea. Do you want to start?
Me: Sure! What is your favourite thing to do in your off time?
Luke: I like to play video games. What is your favourite tv show?
Me: Doctor Who. I could go on about that show forever. Who is your real life hero?
Luke: Valentino Rossi. What’s your favourite season of the year?
Me: Fall. The colors are beautiful, the temperature is beautiful. I love it. What is your favourite song?
Luke: Right now it’s Last Last. What is your favourite city?
Me: Of all the cities I’ve been to, London or Barcelona. If you had to guess what people appreciate the most about you, what would you say?
Luke: My humour for sure. You’ve been to London and Barcelona?
Me: Yeah, I went when I was a lot younger with my family. My family went on a three week trip to four different countries in Europe. We went to London, Paris, Zurich, and Barcelona. I loved London the most. It was right before the 2012 Olympics, so the city is probably different from what I remember now, though. Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?
Luke: I would say I’m in the middle. What are your top three items on your bucket list?
Me: Going to an F1 race, start going to the gym, develop my skills in photography even more. Do you like to go to the movies or prefer watching them at home? Do you talk during movies?
Luke: I would prefer watching them home because it’s more comfortable. Plus it’s not expensive. I do not talk during movies if it’s the first time someone is watching it. If it’s not the first time, I’ll discuss the movie with others while watching it. If you could choose any F1 race to go to, which one would it be?
Me: I’m torn between Austin and Great Britain. I know Monaco is like the go to cause of the history and prestige of it all, but I think Austin or Great Britain would be more fun with the atmosphere. Are you into podcasts or do you only listen to music?
Luke: I only listen to music. Podcasts need more attention than what I'm willing to give than music. What is your favourite ice cream flavour?
Me: Probably chocolate. What’s one thing that can instantly make your day better?
Luke: Talking to my friends. What is the phone app you use the most?
Me: TikTok or Discord. How would you spend your birthday, ideally?
Luke: Spend the day casually with my friends and family, and then have a party with them at night. You said you use discord, do you play video games?
Me: Yes, I do. It’s one of my favourite things to do in my free time. What video games do you play? Do you usually play single player or multiplayer?
Luke: I usually play CS:GO and F1. What video games do you play?
Me: If I play multiplayer games, it’ll be Valorant. But I mainly play single player games, like Assassin’s Creed. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is one of my favourite games ever.
Luke: Which one is that one? I know they take place throughout time.
Me: That one is the Greek history one. I’m super into Greek history/mythology, so I absolutely love it.
Luke: Oh that sounds cool!
I glance over at the time. “Shit, it’s already midnight,” I groan. Now that I’m not focused on responding to Luke, I realize I am struggling to keep my eyes open.
Me: As much as I’d love to continue this, I just realized it’s midnight here, and I need to sleep.
Luke: Okay, sounds good! Have a good night!
Me: Thank you! Have a good day!
Luke: Good night!
Me: Good night!
I plug in my phone, shut off my pc, and change for bed. I crawl into bed, falling asleep quickly.
#f1 fanfic#f1 imagine#f1 imagines#f1 story#lando norris#lando norris x oc#lando norris fanfic#lando norris imagine#lando norris imagines#lando norris story
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Tagged by @called-kept to post a WIP snippet!
Here's a snippet from the up-and-coming chapter of Icarus. This chapter starts immediately after Abu Dhabi 2021.
He hadn’t driven badly. The safety car had lost him a couple positions, and he had finished out of the points. But he hadn’t driven badly.
At least, that's what he keeps telling himself.
A delighted whoop far above. Daniel looks up, watches as the Ferrari drivers celebrate their last race of the season in a breathtaking tandem dive, Charles’s white dove wings and Carlos’s dark imperial Spanish eagle wings a whirlwind of feathers. Ever competitive, they drop into a tight double-helix as they approach the lights of the paddock, as if daring each other to pull up first.
“Don’t crash into each other, fuck!” Pierre shouts from the next roof over. Beside him, Yuki looks up at the diving pair, a look of fascinated terror on his face.
The Ferrari pair continue to fall.
Pierre’s wings spike. “Charles–!”
Carlos curses fluently in Spanish as he bails out, his wings flaring with a thunderous snap, and Charles cackles as he twists nimbly out of his dive to land lightly beside a delighted Yuki. Charles’s race boots barely make a sound as they whisper over concrete.
Camera flashes from the paddock below. Daniel shuffles back from the edge of the roof and behind a rooftop cooling unit. He doesn’t want any pictures in social media of him sitting alone on the McLaren roof, feeling sorry for himself.
On the next roof over, Carlos is attempting to hug Charles or to strangle him or both. It is hard to tell. Pierre still looks a bit angry with Charles, but Yuki is jabbering a mile a minute about wanting to try the double-helix descent, and Pierre’s expression melts into fondness. The kind of fondness that only applies to flock.
Daniel feels his gut lurch. He thinks of Max, somewhere in the throng of people in the Energy Station, in the place where Daniel used to belong.
Carlos is still chasing his teammate in circles around the Alpha Tauri pair. “Best two out of three, Charles, come on–”
“Admit it, Carlos!” Charles laughs, ducking under Carlos’s retaliatory shove. “You may be better at golf but I am better at flying.”
Carlos catches Charles at last, sandwiching him between Carlos’s massive wings, and Charles’s protests turn muffled in Carlos’s feathers. Wheezing giggles drift across the rooftop.
A lump rises in Daniel’s throat. He ducks back into the pool of shadow cast by the cooling unit, tugging his knees to himself. He wishes he thought to bring his headphones. He had come up here to avoid Zak’s acidic, fake-happy comments about coming fourth in the constructors’ when McLaren had been third last year.
Daniel knows most of the blame probably rests on his shoulders, even if nobody is saying it outright.
A couple more points every race and they’d have had a serious chance of beating Ferrari.
His wings hurt.
Don't worry. Daniel doesn't sit alone for long.
More tomorrow or the day after.
Tagging @wafflesrisa, @orchidzach, and anyone else who would like a crack at this!
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Need to know ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix
Need to know ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix
By Balazs Szabo on 04 Jun 2023, 08:00
Following a nail-biting qualifying session that saw the rise of Max Verstappen and the fall of the likes of Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Sergio Perez, the field is getting ready to compete at today's Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. F1technical.net's Balázs Szabó reveals what to know ahead of Round 7 of the 2023 F1 season.
Long history – The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is one of the longest serving venues on the Formula 1 calendar, having held the Spanish Grand Prix every year without interruption since it was opened in 1991.
Today’s Spanish Grand Prix will mark the 53rd time that a Formula One race takes place in Spain. The event first appeared on the calendar in 1951, and has been held at five venues.
The 1951 and 1954 races took place at Barcelona on the Pedralbes street circuit before the race moved to Madrid where the Circuito del Jarama hosted the race between 1968 and 1981.
The third venue was Barcelona’s Montjuic Park, playing host to the event in 1969, 1971, 1973 and 1975. The Spanish Grand Prix had a short stint at Jerez between 1986 and 1990 before moving to the Circuit de Catalunya in the following year.
Stewards – Garry Connelly, Felix Holter, Derek Warwick, and David Domingo will form the group of FIA stewards at today’s Spanish Grand Prix.
The most successful team – Scuderia Ferrari is the most successful constructor at the Spanish Grand Prix with 12 victories. However, the Italian team recorded its most recent triumph long ago, back in 2013 when Fernando Alonso took a popular home win.
McLaren is the second most successful outfit with eight victories with Mercedes being the third most successful thanks to their seven triumphs in the history of the Spanish Grand Prix.
Average length – The Circuit de Bacelona-Catalunya features a layout that has a length of 4657m. The start line-finish line offset is 126m. Drivers will need to rack up a total of 66 laps at today’s Spanish Grand Prix, which is equivalent to 307.237km.
Pit lane – Drivers will need to adhere to a speed limit of 80 km/h in the pit lane.
Schumacher and Hamilton – The German and the Briton are the most successful drivers at the Spanish Grand Prix with six victories each. Schumacher first won in 1995 with Benetton, followed by five victories for Ferrari (1996, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004).
Hamilton won here in 2014 for the first time, and was unstoppable in the years between 2017 and 2021.
Two DRS zones – As in the previous years, two DRS zones will be in use. The first has a detection point 86m before Turn 9 and an activation point 40m after. The second detection point is at the Safety Car line, with activation 57m after Turn 16.
Modifications – The track has been updated since the field last visited the venue last May. The most significant change is that the track reverts to the previous layout that results in the removal of the final chicane. Instead, cars will take the faster route, rushing through the extremely fast second-to-last corner.
Two-stop strategy - For today’s 66-lap Barcelona round, Pirelli expects a two-stopper. This is down to the relatively high levels of tyre wear and degradation seen at the Barcelona circuit, with its abrasive asphalt and high-energy corners. Another reason is the fact that not so much time is lost in the pits, which makes a two-stopper much more viable, as well as the fact that the hard tyre is slower here.
via F1Technical.net . Motorsport news https://www.f1technical.net/news/
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Bestie, do you believe Charles should leave Ferrari? It's time?
Some on reddit believe Buxton's words after the Hungarian Grand Prix suggest Charles may be gearing up for a change. It was a slight allusion, easy to miss, but he made similar remarks when Kimi was about to leave McLaren (ages ago).
I still remember Seb's words not to let Charles waste his talent. Ferrari produces a good car to be in the middle of the pack again next season. Constant political skirmishes, changes in management, a cycle of endless defeats. Charles has only 5 victories under his belt, this is a summary of Ferraris in the last 5 years.
Charles is incredibly emotionally attached to Ferrari. It was his dream and he wants to win with them, but I stop believing that Ferrari is capable of it.
Another question is whether he has anywhere to go. Lewis is set to sign a two-year contract, being on a team with Max is a suicide mission. Aston suffers from the same things as Ferrari. McLaren is rising now, but will probably fall soon and Lando will suffer again. How to live, bastie, how to live 😭
He won't leave Ferrari unless something unlikely happens. Especially with Fred as director, he'll give him a chance for at least two more years. If his contract is renewed, of course.
That is my dream. But just a fantasy sadly. 🥲
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I think they’re both at a point where they’re trying to build their off track brand as their on track brand rises. Lando probably has more of a head start in that area.
I find this such a fascinating point that you've raised. Lando has definitely been the most popular, with Charles close behind of the twitch quartet. George's profile has raised this year with Mercedes, and his social media numbers have rocketed this year, but lately and probably due to his bad races in Singapore and Japan his numbers have stopped. I think with perhaps a different social media strategy George does have potential to be a superstar. But obviously George needs to be ok with that. This is in stark contrast with Lando, who at the beginning of the season his numbers looked stuck and people seemed to be cooling towards him, but he seems a lot more active on social media now, and people seem to responding to the Lando.jpg account. I'm biased but I really want George to reach the superstar potential I believe he can and win races and championships.
Right so, I find this area fascinating as well and it always ends up turning into a contentious conversation because I think some people confuse ‘wanting to raise profile/build their brand’ with ‘wanting fame’.
None of them want “fame” in the traditional sense, nobody truly does with all the knock on effects it brings and the sheer amount of negatives in relation to privacy and the like. Not even actors or musicians truly seek fame. They want to participate in their chosen field and be appreciated for it.
But these days in most high profile fields, you have to build a brand and build your profile. Doing that is what brings you the big bucks. There’s no straightforward promotion system for pay rises in these fields, to increase your pay you have to show the worth you bring to a project in both talent and other means, and to achieve that you have to lean in to certain facets of the fame game and combine that with sporting success.
Lewis is absolutely the gold standard of that. Proof of what you can achieve if you combine everything together effectively . Yeah, he’s talented on track, and has the WDC’s to prove it, but he’s almost transcended the sport. He has more star power than the rest of the grid combined and half of that is through savvy marketing deals and building a strong personal brand. His name is associated with a product or venture and it instantly adds value, which is why he gets paid so much in his racing contract. People are desperate for him to sell their products.
I’m not sure either Lando or George will ever reach that level, but Jenson level is definitely within their grasp, and idk if people realise or remember how ‘big’ Jenson became at one point (although I think it was more uk centric)
Lando’s definitely chased a lot of brand deals, he has personal partnerships through Quadrant and he’s really delved into that younger, online audience to build up a name for himself. He knows how to use social media and I think, in the UK out of the UK drivers, he probably still has second highest name recognition. He was hyped up as the next UK race winner for years when McLaren had the car, now this year they’ve not been as competitive the interest has died down slightly.
I do agree with you about George. I think he has the potential to really make something, but in terms of George as a “brand” I think he’ll have to go a more old fashioned route rather than building it solely via social media. He reminds me a lot of Jenson in some ways anyway, and he has that “British charm” that certain people fall over themselves for. My mum likes him because she thinks he’s ‘sweet’. He’s very polite and sensible and uncontroversial. He kind of flew under the radar during his time at Williams and has been launched into the spotlight a lot quicker and suddenly has been doing a lot of promotional work, but still only for Mercedes brands. (Belstaff is a Merc sponsor, owned by Ineos). I think after his win, and hopefully if Mercedes success continues into next year that will change quite quickly and he’ll get more offers. I could go off on the list of brands he’d suit but let’s not get ahead of ourselves 😂
Especially in the days of DTS, all the drivers are facing recognition to a level drivers in previous years probably never had, so it’s only right they make it pay for them somehow, but there’s definite give and take in it, and I think it’s a fascinating aspect of F1 (also just a recommendation to follow @champagnepodiums because she has some great discussions about these sort of subjects on her blog!)
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Mexico GP 2022
Safe to say this wasn’t the race we wanted, I myself was disappointed by the outcome, even being a red bull and max fan. It was rather anticlimactic that all were clean out of turn 1, I would rather a collision to spice things up a bit, especially after such a long straight. Anyways, Verstappen built up a healthy lead to an easy win (🥱) with checo climbing to P3 after the first lap and staying there. Good to see a nice result for the Mexican in front of an energised crowd.
What on earth happened to Ferrari? I was stunned to see Leclerc out paced by Bottas in an alfa, but I expected them to fix up and put on a display in the race… but I was left confused. Leclerc has said it is to do with straight line speed, whereas Sainz pins blame on the altitude of the track, which supposedly had negative effects on the cars PU. I’m not sure about the science behind that, but hopefully they can figure out what was wrong and have a better weekend in São Paulo.
One of Mercedes better weekends, impressive in quali and Lewis Hamilton falling short of a win which would’ve prolonged his current record of winning a race in every season he has competed in. With 2 races left however, and Mexico being their best chance to get the top spot, I think this record is likely to end at Abu Dhabi. I just can’t see this W13 outperforming RB or Ferrari again in these last few races. Anything can happen in formula one, however, so with a crash or a fortunately timed safety car, Mercedes could see themselves taking a win and maybe P2 in the championship? That would be a sight after the season they have had.
I have to touch on Daniel Ricciardo. To cause a collision and earn a 10 second penalty, then hop onto a set of softs, set blistering laps and gain a 10 second advantage on Ocon to make the penalty redundant, then be voted DOTD and have one of your best finishes in a crucial race for McLaren in their close P4 battle with Alpine? Wow. Talk about Zero to Hero. He also said in a post race interview that he will not be driving in 2023 but still wants to be involved in the sport and will try his best to earn a seat for 24. I like this, because after his recent form (or lack of), I think a break to clear his head is necessary, and I hope he can display the pace he did this weekend in whatever car he may drive when he returns.
I was very pleased to see Verstappen breaking a record which cannot be understated in its impressiveness. 14 wins in a season is huge, and obviously the point of ‘there’s more races these days’ comes up, and is very valid. Therefore, I think a better way of judging this record is to look at win percentage, so I calculated it for Verstappens current season (14 wins in 22 races) Vettels 2013 season (13 wins in 19 races) and Schumachers 2002 season (13 wins in 17 races), to see who was on top.
Schumacher - 76.4%
Vettel - 68.4%
Verstappen - 63.6%
So it seems that Schumacher still really holds the record for wins in a season, and winning over 3/4 of a seasons races is ridiculous. There are two races left this year, however, and if max wins them both, his percentage rises to 66.6%, and to get 16 wins in a season is a very respectable number, well deserving of a record.
Many will say this race was boring and uneventful, and they are right, it was rubbish. However there are some things to reflect on going to Brazil, and still many championship places to be decided, so let’s hope that São Paulo brings more excitement and maybe a little controversy, it seems we haven’t had any of that since last year.
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Montreal porpoising is expected to be the same, even worst than Baki and tbh I really don’t care about the results. It’s getting concerning George has bruises on his elbows and looked in real pain post race interview and was asked by Perez if he could feel his foot , Lewis couldn’t get out of the car. Goodness knows what it’s doing to their bodies. The teams and the FIA need to do something urgently.
The thing is and I kind of understand where they're coming from. So according to george most teams voted against something introduced and their explanation apparently is more or less "we can't change the regulations in the middle of a season with a cost cap and without any way how to we'd all have to change car philosophies in the middle of the season" if I understood him correctly.
If we're looking at it from the sports perspective that is an argument that does make sense. Of course this is about driver safety. So that argument falls a bit flat.
Also the discussion is arising not because of Mercedes wanting to gain something from it. George made that explicit. The porpoising created by the aero package hardly impacted the race according to george but I imagine it only added to the porpoising rising because of the track.
That porpoising is something even the Mclaren who never had an issue with porposing is dealing with according to Daniel. And that's the issue and we'll have to see how it plays out in Montreal. This has nothing to do with Mercedes forcing a certain set up on their drivers. This is all happening within the realms of the current regulations (that I'm believing more and more were introduced only to weaken Mercedes but that's a different conversation)
Lewis said they're going to have a meeting in England tomorrow that I'm sure george will also be at do they can find solutions. Both drivers are suffering massive health issues at the moment, george at first glance doesn't have it as bad as Lewis, but he's visibly bruised apparently there's concern with him not feeling his feet and the way he held himself in the presser just showed how his back hurt.
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Radio NET Bulgaria (December 20, 2022)
23:55 DAVID GARFIELD - O, Holy Night
23:51 YULARA - Bridges To Shambhala
23:47 RANDY SCOTT - Elevation
23:43 DREW DAVIDSEN - All Night and Forever
23:39 KARLA LEAL - Don't Miss Your Groove
23:34 GREGG KARUKAS - Lost In Negril
23:30 KAYLA WATERS - O Come, O Come Emmanuel
23:26 AL DEGREGORIS - Into the Sun
23:22 THREESTYLE - Adriatic Flow
23:17 PAUL BROWN - White Sand
23:13 KIM WATERS - Easy Going
23:09 NILS - Jingle Bells
23:05 JACKIEM JOYNER - When You Smile
23:00 PETER WHITE - Another Rainy Day
22:58 LEO ROJAS - Friendship
22:53 LANA DEL REY - Born To Die
22:48 FIVE SEASONS - Before You Sleep
22:40 LAB OF MUSIC - Angel Vibes (Original Mix)
22:36 351 LAKE SHORE DRIVE - Rising Stars
22:31 ANGELO CRESCERI - Harmony
22:24 SALTWATER - Chicane (Thrillseekers Ambient Mix)
22:19 TENISHIA, KIRSTY HAWKSHAW - Falling (Original Mix)
22:14 RIHANNA - We Found Love (DJ Fernandez Chillout Remix)
22:10 YURI KANE - Right Back (Chillout Mix)
22:06 YANNI - Can't Wait
22:02 DJ GROOVE - So Late
21:59 BENYA, PENNY NIXON - Serendipity (After Meridian & Dave Costa Remix)
21:54 SMOOTH STAB, AELYN - These Words Between Us (Incognet Chill Out Version)
21:51 CHAMBRE 7 - Rising To The Top (Original Mix)
21:40 ENVIO - Touched By The Sun (Rusch & Elusive's Chillout Mix)
21:34 JES - Like A Waterfall (Flipside Ambient Remix)
21:29 ADELE - Lovesong
21:25 DEEJAY HOUSE PROJECT - Komodo (Stefy Martinez Lounge Mix)
21:21 YIRUMA, RUVIN - River Flows In You
21:15 K. S. PROJECT - Looking For Paradise (Original Mix)
21:10 BRIAN MAGIX, CYNTHIA HALL - Carved In Stone (Chill Out Mix)
21:07 GOODVIC - Dreaming Of You (Original Mix)
21:01 WAY OUT WEST - One Bright Night (Original Mix)
20:57 FRAINBREEZE, ELLIE LAWSON - I Pray (Chill Out Mix)
20:55 INNA - Hot (Chill Out Remix)
20:52 SKYE - Feel Good Inc
20:49 KATO, JON - Turn The Lights Off (Bullytrax Campfire Mix)
20:41 PROJECT BLUE SUN - Naked
20:35 AK47, TRACY DIAMONDS - It's No Good
20:31 MAX MILLION - Do You Believe (Original Mix)
20:28 FILO, PERI, FISHER - Closer Now (Chillout Mix)
20:24 DIANA KRALL - California Dreamin'
20:21 LEO ROJAS - Farewell
20:15 ANDY SOL & ECOLYTE - Ponse Passing (Original Mix)
20:11 LEONA LEWIS - Dip Down (ReUnited Chill Out Mix)
20:06 DEEP MOTIONS - Memories
20:03 LE VITA, FAB - Apologize
19:58 SUNLONGER, LORILEE - Your Name (Chill Version)
19:56 351 LAKE SHORE DRIVE - Day Of Light
19:52 SUSANA - A Million Memories (Acoustic Rework)
19:47 CECILE BREDIE - Dreamland
19:42 ANDY MOOR, SUE McLAREN - Trespass (Masoud Chill Out Mix)
19:37 MARTINIQUE LE SOUFFLEUR - El Guapo
19:32 FRAINBREEZE, NATUNE, ANGEL FALLS - Signs Of Time (Original Mix)
19:29 FONZERELLI - Dreamin (Chill Mix)
19:24 ROBERT NICKSON - Spiral (Chillout Mix)
19:20 30 SECONDS TO MARS - Bad Romance (Lady Gaga's Cover)
19:14 RUSLAN-SET, V.RAY - The Voice Of Star (Union Sense Remix)
19:10 SARAH MENESCAL - Don't Speak
19:06 CARDINAL ZEN - Warmth
19:02 SUNLOUNGER, SEIS CUERDAS - A Balearic Dinner (Chill Mix)
18:58 ERICK MORILLO, EDDIE THONEICK, SHAWNEE TAYLOR - Live Your Life (Eddie Thoneick Chill Out Mix)
18:52 VIV DE LA ROSA - Agua Caliente
18:48 LIULA - Sweet Dreams
18:43 JEAN HONEYMOON - Bang Bang (Lazy Hammock Chillout Remix)
18:39 ATB - I Was Wrong To Let You Go (Lounge Version)
18:34 CLAUDE CHAGALL - Sunset Buddha
18:28 RUE DU SOLEIL - In My Heart
18:24 OXYGENE - The Ocean (Goldtripp Remix)
18:21 SAMANTHA JADE - Everytime
18:15 GAZEEBO - Shiny Lust
18:11 GARBAGE - Milk
18:06 KUBA - Kailash
18:00 CHRIS B, LADY V - A New Direction (Original Mix)
17:54 EDWARD MAYA - Stereo Love (Yonta Chillout Remix)
17:46 DAVE ROSS - Break The Silence (Original Mix)
17:42 BLANK & JONES, ELLES - Mind Of The Wonderful (Acoustic Version)
17:38 HEAVN - Bright Lights
17:36 JOHN DAHLBACK - Walking With Shadows (Acoustic Version)
17:28 TORNIKE - Night Steps (Original Mix)
17:26 CNBK - Burning Skies (Acoustic Version)
17:21 MEDINA - You & I (DJ Petroff Remix)
17:17 KIRSTY HAWKSHAW, TENISHIA - Reason To Forgive (Piano Mix)
17:11 GUENTER HAAS - Alone But Never Lonely
17:04 KITARO - Matsuri
17:00 LOUNGE GROOVE AVENUE - Don't Be So Shy
16:55 SHAUN LABELLE - Indio Sunrise
16:52 PEET PROJECT - Galaxies
16:48 DANNY LERMAN - Meow Baby
16:44 ART FOUR SALE - Merry Merry Christmas
16:40 ROD TATE - United
16:35 DANIEL DOMENGE - Last Summer
16:31 RAGAN WHITESIDE - This Christmas
16:26 CINDY BRADLEY - I'm All Ears
16:21 MARCOS ARIEL - Green Eyes
16:17 NILS - Detroit Strut
16:13 MARION MEADOWS - Invisible
16:08 DR. SAXLOVE - Away In A Manger
16:04 GREGG KARUKAS - Club Havana
16:00 KAYLA WATERS - Black Cove
15:56 STEVE OLIVER - Fiesta
15:52 SOLEX - Full Moon
15:48 EJAZZ ARTISTRY - We Belong Together
15:45 ROCCO VENTRELLA - Precious of Life
15:41 SHIN GIWON CHRISTMAS CAROL COLLECTION - I'll Be Home For Christmas
15:37 SEAN U - Electrify
15:33 RONNY SMITH - Here We Go Again
15:28 GEORGE HOWARD - The First Noel
15:24 NICK COLIONNE - Just Let it Be
15:20 AMANDUS - Hey Man
15:15 EUGE GROOVE - Let's Get It On
15:11 GINO ROSARIA, MARCUS ANDERSON - Night Groove
15:08 KIM WATERS - A Song for Dana
15:04 ERIC DARIUS - Rollin' out
15:00 LES SABLER - Easy Moves
14:56 THREESTYLE - Good News
14:53 BONEY JAMES - A Little Attitude
14:49 DARRON COOKIE - Dining In
14:45 RYAN LA VALETTE - Monday Swagger
14:41 JONATHAN FRITZEN - Love Will Overcome (feat. Jackiem Joyner)
14:38 SHELEA - Don't Wanna Wait 'til Christmas
14:34 ANDRE DELANO - Gypsy
14:30 PAUL BROWN - Wes' Coast Swing
14:26 CHRISTMAS CAROLS - Bianco Natal
14:22 ADAM HAWLEY - Can You Feel It (Feat. Marcus Anderson)
14:18 RAINFOREST BAND - Gumbo Groove
14:14 PEET PROJECT - One-Headed Dragon
14:09 PHILLIP DOC MARTIN - Pride and Joy
14:07 COOL SPRING JAZZ QUARTET - Christmas
14:04 SAM BASSMAN JENKINS - Between The Sheets
14:00 CASTELLA - So Glad I Met You
13:56 MARK R. HARRIS - Setting It Straight (feat. Ignacio Nunez & Daniele Silvestri)
13:51 JULIAN VAUGHN - Waymans Way
13:47 KEITH ANDREW - Bayon
13:43 JUSTIN LEE SCHULTZ - This Christmas
13:38 NILS - Sneakin'
13:34 VINCENT INGALA - On The Move
13:30 MARION MEADOWS - Little Shepherd Boy
13:26 PETER HEROLD - Your Power
13:22 BONEY JAMES - Futuresoul
13:17 BRANDON WILLIS - When Were Together
13:13 MARCUS ANDERSON - On The Right Track
13:10 JOHN FLUKER - We Three Kings (Instrumental)
13:04 DARREN MOTAMEDY - Love You Just so Much
13:00 NAJEE - Bounce
12:56 TIM BOWMAN - Sunset
12:51 WALTER BEASLEY - My Name Is Love
12:46 GREGG KARUKAS - Summerhouse
12:43 KEB' MO' - Please Come Home For Christmas
12:41 WADE C. LONG - GodChildren
12:36 EUGE GROOVE - As You Like It
12:30 KIM WATERS - Christmas Time Is Here
12:25 DREAMING IN COLOUR - Waiting in Texas
12:20 THE BRAXTON BROTHERS - Sunset Bay
12:16 PETER WHITE - Just Another Day
12:12 ANDY SNITZER - On Extended Wing
12:08 SYLVIA BENNETT - Silver Bells
12:04 VINCENT INGALA - Vintage Vibe
12:00 CAROL ALBERT - One Way
11:56 CHAZZY GREEN - Because of You
11:52 KIRK WHALUM - Inside (feat. Shanice)
11:47 BRAD ALEXANDER - Feel da Music (feat. Gerald Albright)
11:42 JUSTIN YOUNG - Jingle Bells
11:37 PAUL BROWN - Feel The Love
11:33 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - Give Me Your Eyes
11:29 TOM SCOTT - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
11:25 SAM BASSMAN JENKINS - Northbound
11:22 RYAN LA VALETTE - Let It Flow
11:17 WILL SUMNER - Saxy Nights
11:14 JS FLOYD - Sunrise
11:09 DR. SAXLOVE - The Christmas Song
11:05 KEN NAVARRO - Language Of Peace
11:00 OLI SILK - Bring Back Those Days
10:55 CHUCK LOEB - Affinity
10:50 NICHOLAS COLE - Dreams
10:46 AMANDUS - Floating Cloud
10:42 DAVE KOZ - Joy To The Wonderful World
10:37 RAINFOREST BAND - Consequences
10:32 ER - Mr Kool (feat. John Rathbone, Jack Jones, Chris Otts & Michael Cornett)
10:28 NILS - In a Holiday Mood
10:20 MARK ETHEREDGE - Rain
10:16 SHAUN LABELLE - It's Not Over
10:11 GREGG KARUKAS - Brooklyn Nights
10:09 YOLANDA RABUN - Twelfth Night - O Mistress Mine
10:04 AL GOMEZ - Catchin' a Vibe
10:00 BIRDS OF A FEATHER - Stand Together
09:56 PATRICK BRADLEY - Reinvention
09:53 MARCUS ANDERSON - Psalm 42
09:50 RONALD BOO HINKSON - She's Mine (The Girl Is Mine)
09:45 KIM WATERS - The Touch Of Love
09:41 BRADLEY LEIGHTON - Winter Wonderland
09:37 JOHN E. LAWRENCE - The Chase
09:34 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - On The Way
09:29 MARION MEADOWS - Christmas On The Radio
09:24 SPECIAL EFX - Beautiful Gold
09:19 NAJEE - Dr. Dolittle
09:15 DEMETRIUS NABORS - Perseverance
09:11 MICHAEL ROSS - Moments in Fall
09:08 K.VIO, TIM TONIC - Little Snow Flake, Little White Coat
09:04 JACKIEM JOYNER - Road to Soul
09:00 JEFF KASHIWA - Hyde Park (The 'Ah, Oooh' Song)
08:56 JOYCE COOLING - South of Market
08:52 THE SAX PACK - Into You
08:46 FOURPLAY - Esprit de Four
08:41 MICHAEL LINGTON - Silver Bells
08:37 BLAIR BRYANT - Hello Beautiful
08:32 TERENCE YOUNG - Dedicated
08:29 VINCENT INGALA - The Christmas Song
08:25 GARY PALMER - Waterfalls
08:20 JONATHAN FRITZEN - To the Top (feat. Vincent Ingala)
08:17 GARY METZ - Cruisin'
08:12 ROBERT CHRISTA - Let It Go
08:08 SMOOTH SOUL HOLIDAY - Hark the Herald Angels SingSleighride Medley
08:04 ANDREY CHMUT - Don't Loose The Faith
08:00 R.L. WALKER - Only Have Eyes
07:56 SKINNY HIGHTOWER - Summer Nights
07:51 RYAN LA VALETTE - Lovers Melody
07:47 JODY MAYFIELD - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
07:43 GORDON JAMES - Free Flow
07:38 UNDER THE LAKE - Have I Told You
07:33 TONY CRADDOCK JR. - The First Noel
07:29 AL GOMEZ - Keeping It Together
07:24 BRIAN SIMPSON - Sunlit Sea
07:18 ROCCO VENTRELLA - Give Me The Groove
07:13 VINCENT IOIA - Steppin in from the Outside
07:10 ART MORRIS - Silent Night
07:05 WARREN HILL - Oh Girl
07:00 RHYTHM LOGIC - Rhythm Method
06:56 JOE MCBRIDE, THE TEXAS RHYTHM CLUB - Oi Gata
06:51 KIM WATERS - Two Keys To My Heart
06:46 SPECIAL EFX - Endless Us
06:41 SHAKATAK - Merry Christmas In Summer
06:37 FUNKTASTIC PLAYERS - Cooling In My Ride
06:34 GREGG KARUKAS - Hey Witness
06:30 MARION MEADOWS - What Child Is This
06:26 JACKIEM JOYNER - Lost Without You
06:22 RICK HABANA - Cocktails
06:17 ACOUSTIC ALCHEMY - Only in My Dreams
06:12 BEN TANKARD, KIRK WHALUM - Reach Out And Touch
06:08 K.VIO, TIM TONIC - Winter Waltz
06:05 PHILLIP DOC MARTIN - Paradise
06:00 BLAIR BRYANT - Sapphire Rain
05:56 CHRIS STANDRING - Too Close for Comfort
05:52 JEFF KASHIWA - Around The World
05:48 VINCENT INGALA - In Deep
05:44 GARY MEGGS - A Joyous World
05:40 JOHN NOVELLO - Shuffle the Deck
05:33 ROBERT CHRISTA - Brazilian Rendezvous
05:30 NATHAN WOODWARD - Sleigh Ride
05:26 JOEL THIBAULT - Last Dream
05:22 PATRICK BRADLEY - Lighthouse (feat. Allen Hinds)
05:18 SKINNY HIGHTOWER - Spanish Harlem
05:13 GORDON JAMES - Cafe Soul
05:10 NILS - Holiday wedding
05:05 PAUL BROWN - Nothin' But Love
05:00 UNDER THE LAKE - George is His Name
04:55 DARREN MOTAMEDY - Formosa
04:51 RONALD BOO HINKSON - Round the Corner
04:47 JEANETTE HARRIS - Summer Rain (feat. Joel Bowers)
04:44 DANIEL D. - This Christmas
04:40 THREESTYLE - Missing You
04:36 ADAM HAWLEY - Traveling Mood (Feat. Julian Vaughan)
04:32 TONY CRADDOCK JR. - O Little Town of Bethlehem
04:28 KIM WATERS - Pocket Science
04:23 PETER WHITE - Requiem For A Princess
04:18 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - Smoothing
04:13 EVERETT B WALTERS - You'll Never Know
04:08 YOLANDA RABUN - O Holy Night
04:04 DEAN JAMES - Can I Take You Out
04:00 JIM ADKINS - Reflections
03:55 AMANDUS - Groove Infection (feat. Uli Brodersen)
03:51 JACKIEM JOYNER - The Space Between Us
03:46 ANDY SNITZER - You've Changed
03:43 DANA FIELDS - Christmas Time Is Here
03:39 U-NAM - West Indeed
03:35 BRIAN SIMPSON - What I'm Waiting For
03:31 SHAWN RAIFORD - Santa Baby
03:26 ROB MALETICK - Shape Of My Heart
03:22 EARNEST WALKER JR - Ordinary People
03:18 CHRIS STANDRING - Shake You Up
03:13 DAVE KOZ - All The Love In The World
03:10 KIMBERLY BREWER - Everyday Feels Like Christmas
03:05 DERRICK HARVIN - Colombiana
03:00 SPECIAL EFX - Mother of Pearl
02:56 OLI SILK - Hats Off
02:51 WAYMAN TISDALE - Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up (feat. Toby Keith)
02:47 KOOL&KLEAN - Feel Again
02:43 AL DEGREGORIS - Absolute
02:40 SHAKATAK - Happy Christmas To Ya!
02:36 THE SAX PACK - Can't Help Myself
02:31 PAUL JACKSON JR. - City of Refuge (feat. Jeff Lorber)
02:28 SMOOTH SOUL HOLIDAY - We Three Funky Kings
02:24 BRIAN SIMPSON - When I Found You
02:20 MARION MEADOWS - The Thrill of Rain
02:16 MARCUS ANDERSON - Your Cha' Cha'
02:12 BRAD ALEXANDER - Yearning for Your Love
02:08 ANDREAS ALEMAN - Home for Christmas
02:05 KEIKO MATSUI - Black Lion
02:00 ROBERTO VAZQUEZ - Simple Life
01:56 BONEY JAMES - Batucada (The Beat)
01:52 BEN TANKARD - Happy Strut
01:48 VINCENT INGALA - My Favorite Things
01:44 KIM WATERS - Midnight Magic
01:42 PETER WHITE - Lullaby
01:38 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - Make Room For Me
01:34 ALEXANDER ZONJIC - Playing it Forward
01:29 NATHAN WOODWARD - We Three Kings
01:25 DEAN JAMES - Home
01:21 WILL SUMNER - Ride The Wave
01:17 GERRY SMOOTH - I'm Glad You're Here
01:13 ART RUPRECHT - Never Alone
01:09 DAMIEN ESCOBAR - The Christmas Song
01:04 BIRDS OF A FEATHER - See You Soon
01:00 JACKIEM JOYNER - J Street
00:56 JACOB WEBB - With You Tonight
00:53 CHRISTMAS CAROLS - The Day
00:48 KAYLA WATERS - I Am
00:44 RICK HABANA - Loungin' (feat. Jackiem Joyner)
00:40 FREDDIE FOX - Smooth
00:35 BONEY JAMES - Second Nature
00:31 DAVE KOZ - Little Drummer Boy
00:26 ROB SABADO - Fly By
00:22 DANIEL CHIA - Life's a Beach
00:17 DERRICK HARVIN - New Found Love
00:13 WAYMAN TISDALE - Rebound (feat. Dave Koz)
00:08 DR. SAXLOVE - White Christmas
00:04 DARREN RAHN - Into the Light
00:00 THE SAX PACK - Smooth As Silk
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2021 | oh lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
#this is a therapeutic pedit (painful edit) to help process the pain and trauma of last szn.#much like 90% of everything i make: it started with lewis. youll know when you see the first chorus 🥲#then it spiralled from there. pain all around starring:#Lewis hamilton#daniel ricciardo#the rise and fall of mclaren this season#lando norris#charles leclerc#and max verstappen#thank you Xav for both giving me the nina simone bug and lovingly pushing me past my limits ily ❤#and meg whom i ambushed with a janky draft and she was as supportive and lovely as ever#ENJOY!#or cry idk#f1#crash tw
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I would have a request where Carlos and Lando are together and really happy. Carlos being the protective one and Lando the insecure one. When Carlos leaves for ferrari, Lando gets mad and they break up. But in the end Daniel gets them back together with Charles as they are both so sad and they are fed up to watch the pining haha. Also Lando races badly after break up so it is affecting him a lot and everyones curious
I have changed it a bit with Carlos and Lando not breaking up because they had a fight, but I had that one idea for a fanfiction already since such a long time and it just fitted so well to this one - I hope you are not mad about it anonym.. 😬
You can read the full story below or on AO3 - enjoy! 😊❤️
Talking to the moon
„I will make it work. I promise, I will make it work for us.“ Those had been Carlos’ words the day, he had told his boyfriend about him thinking about signing for Ferrari. The Spaniard would have never done this big decision all on his own, without his boyfriend’s permission. He just needed to know if Lando, his love, the centre of his life, was okay with it, would maybe even support him.
Of course, the younger one was alright with it and of course, he was with him since the very first moment. Lando would never hold his boyfriend up from making his biggest dreams come true. Like always he had his full support, like always he was right next to his side and will help him whenever or wherever the older one will need a helping hand or just him being there for him.
But Lando would lie, if he wouldn’t admit that he was also afraid of this very big and massive change in their lives that will bring Carlos’ move to Ferrari. Of course, the Spaniard got the younger one’s worries, he himself was lightly scared about what their future will bring, but as long as they were together and wanted the same, everything will turn out good in the end.
And with Carlos’ promise, Lando just had to believe him, because his boyfriend always held his promises.
The virus had been very cruel to them, because they weren’t able to see each other for over three months. In between there also had been the announcement of Carlos’ move to Ferrari, it really wasn’t the easiest time for both of them.
Things finally became better, when they were able to see each other again after such a long time. Of course, it was still pretty difficult to hide their secret relationship from everyone, but actually they were already used to it and tried to make the best out of it, like always. It wasn’t easy, but they made it.
Their time at McLaren went by way too quickly and before they could even really fully realize it, their last race together being teammates was over and a new chapter began for both of them.
Even when the world did finally start to slowly rehabilitate from the virus and there were actually no travel restrictions any more, it still felt like a second lock-down for Lando, because once again he barely saw his boyfriend.
Carlos travelled between Spain, Italy and the UK all the time and sometimes so even a few times every week. He did spend a lot of time at the factory in Mugello and he also still needed to fully move into his new flat there. Lando understood that, of course his hard-working boyfriend wanted to be as close to the Ferrari factory and also to his new team as possible, just like it had been with McLaren.
And Carlos also wanted to spend some quality time together with his family back in Spain, before he got into the next plane in the middle of the night to just spend two days together with his boyfriend in the UK.
Carlos had a strict and very tight appointment calendar and also Lando still had to do his job as a Formula One driver. He did also spend a lot of time at the factory, on training and tried to work on his still present weaknesses.
It was sometimes really hard to find at least two days in a row, on which they both hadn’t any appointments or at least some they could handle from Lando’s house, while they tried to spend at least some time together.
Lando had thought, believed, hoped, for it to become better, when the season will finally start again. But even when Carlos and he were at the same places then, sometimes not even one hundred meters away from each other, it actually only became even more difficult for them with not being in the same team any more.
Their only chance to see each other was in the late evenings, when either Carlos or Lando slipped inside his boyfriend’s hotel room. With now not being in the same team any more, didn’t only mean that they weren’t able to spend almost the whole day together or at least see each other, it also meant that they couldn’t go for dinner together so easily. At least not every night, to not be too obvious.
So only the nights did belong to them, if any, and those sometimes not fully, because on some days they still had their appointments until late in the evening and had to slip out of their boyfriend’s rooms even before the sun did rise. Of course only with the requirement to sleep in the same hotel.
And sometimes also the nights didn’t belong to them at all, when Lando fell asleep while waiting for his boyfriend’s message that he was finally finished for today and he will come over now. Because Carlos didn’t have a key card for his hotel room, of course he didn’t get one, why should he anyway, he had to wait for Lando’s answer and when even after over one hour none came, he knew he had to spend the night once again all alone. It just would have been way too obvious, if they would ask to get a key card from their hotel rooms, because still no one knew about their relationship.
So they often had to sleep separated, when there was really no chance for them to spend at least the night together. It did sound wrong, but even when they were so close to each other the whole time long, sometimes they were almost even able to touch each other on the paddock, it was still impossible for them to spend at least some time together. Their longing became bigger and bigger with every minute being so close to each other, but still not able to be in each other’s arms.
It became even worse, when on a Friday evening Carlos’ plane had over two hours delay and he will only be able to finally arrive at Lando’s place shortly after midnight. When the Spaniard finally made it all exhausted, tired and also annoyed through the front to door of his boyfriend’s house, because he at least had a key for it, and had also finally managed it to drag himself upstairs to the bedroom, Lando had once again fallen asleep while waiting for him.
He had faced the door, like he had really, really tried it to keep his eyes opened, because he didn’t want to miss the older one stepping through that door and be finally back by his side, but even when he had tried it so bad, he had still fallen asleep in the end.
Carlos had to smile to himself by that view he got offered. It was a smile of admiration and full love towards the younger one, but also of disappointment and annoyance, because once again Carlos had been too late, even when it wasn’t his own fault at all.
Lando was laying butt naked on top of his king-sized bed and like always he had kicked off the duvet in his sleep. He had obviously plans for when Carlos would have finally arrived at his place, but those plans weren’t relevant any more now. Lando was already asleep and the Spaniard himself was very sleepy as well.
But still all touched about his boyfriend’s cuteness, Carlos smiled down at the sleeping boy’s small body, while he pulled the duvet back up his body so he had it all warm, but at the same time he also felt so bad about the way their weekend together had to start.
In his sleep Lando instantly crawled closer to the older one’s warm, protective body, the second Carlos had laid himself right next to him into bed. The Spaniard pulled him as close against his chest as he could manage, before he also fell asleep after that long, nerve-racking day within seconds.
When Lando woke up pretty early next morning, he best wanted to punch himself for once again falling asleep, while waiting for his boyfriend’s arrive. He had actually wanted to surprise him, with laying all naked inside his bed, so they could start instantly right where they had to stop the last time, when they had got interrupted once again.
Because they were barely able to see each other in the last time, they were also barely able to make love any more. Yes, love not sex. They were only able to have quick, unromantic sex in between their many appointments to satisfy their body’s needs, but not to satisfy their heart’s desire.
And if Lando was serious, he couldn’t even remember the last time they had made love to each, where they have taken their time for it, when nothing else had mattered, just the two of them, without thinking about that in five minutes they already had to give the next damn interview.
Because everything was so complicated lately, because they were constantly under pressure, had to be on three places at the same time and everyone, especially Carlos and Lando themselves, had so many expectations on themselves, they sometimes really even spent their less time together with fighting.
It weren’t serious fights, but just the smallest things caused them to freak out sometimes, because everything just became too much lately. But since a few weeks, they were even too tired and exhausted to fight any more.
Lando couldn’t even remember any more the last time his boyfriend had been at his place in the UK, not even mention their dream to spend some days at Carlos’ place in Spain, Lando had still never been yet, so they were only able to see each other during the race weekends, in the evenings, if anyway.
And then they were so washed out and sleepy, that they normally instantly fell asleep without being able to talk much, share their today’s happening and not even mention to have any kind of body contact at all. That was why Lando also couldn’t remember any more, when he had been that close to his boyfriend the last time, why they were both so excited for this weekend since already such a long time.
They had both really looked forward to finally spend a whole weekend together. They hadn’t made any plans, they just wanted to stay at home, cuddle the whole day long in front of the TV or better they didn’t even leave the bed and made up for all the missing body contact over the last weeks.
Their free weekend would only be interrupted with Lando having an appointment at the MTC, which Andreas had secured him won’t take that long. Carlos wanted to go shopping in the meantime, so they could cook lunch together, something the Spaniard already really looked forward to as well, because he loved it to cook with his boyfriend together and even when Lando wasn’t the most enthusiastic cook, he still did it with pleasure, because he exactly knew what it meant to the older one and what joy he could gift him with it.
Even when last night hadn’t turned out like Lando had wanted it, he was still very optimistic about the new day. Because it was still that early in the morning and Carlos had probably gone to bed pretty late last night and because he was still sleeping that deep and peacefully, Lando slipped unheard out of the bedroom to let him have his rest for some longer.
In the end his appointment at the factory did last longer than he had expected it to be. Actually Lando had wanted to be back home by his boyfriend’s side before midday, but he only made it there in the middle of the afternoon.
Lando’s mood was already on its low because of it, but his heart did drop inside his chest completely, when he opened his front door and saw Carlos sitting on the last stair, his still unpacked suitcases right next to him.
The Spaniard offered him a small, bitter smile, before his lips turned into a thin, sorry line and he couldn’t even look him in the eyes any more. Lando exactly knew what that meant. His boyfriend had once again got one of that annoying calls, where they told him to come back to Italy.
The young Brit exhaled long and loudly, while his shoulders did sink in desperation. “This doesn’t work, right?” Lando dared to ask with a small, sad voice to which Carlos could only node his head in agreement, even when that realization did hurt like a sharp knife deep inside their hearts.
Carlos let his head fall in exhaustion and inhaled sharp inside his lungs. They both had felt it since a longer time that their relationship didn’t make any sense anymore and they were both already too washed out to keep it going like that, but still. Saying it out loud was another thing and caused both of them to feel ill instantly.
Slowly the Spaniard stood up, while tears did already build up and Lando’s eyes started to burn as well. They both knew what that meant, what this right here will be. Their break up, their final goodbye.
Lando’s shoulders did already shake lightly, when Carlos stepped right in front of him, framed his sorrowful face softly between his warm palms, like he had already done so often, before he placed a long, gender kiss onto his forehead.
“I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it work out for us, mi corazon.” Carlos apologized with his lips still so close to his face. Feeling his breathing against the still lightly wet spot on his forehead, where his plump lips had just kissed his skin, caused Lando to shiver badly.
He actually knew it really wasn’t Carlos fault at all, because they still wanted the same thing, it was still their biggest wish to spend some time alone together so badly, they still wanted their relationship to work, but life was cruel sometimes and in their cases life was more than just cruel to them.
But even when Lando exactly knew it wasn’t his boyfrie-, ex-boyfriend’s fault at all about how things had turned out, he still kept quiet and hadn’t told him that it wasn’t on him. He was just too bitter and heart-broken for that at the moment. It was all so unfair.
Lando was so mad at everyone and everything and also a little about Carlos, because he had promised him that day, that he will make it work for them, that everything will stay like it was, that their love will be stronger in the end and they will make it, but this time he didn’t keep his promise. Lando had relied on him, he had trusted him, but Carlos didn’t hold his promise like he had secured him back then.
The Spaniard finally wrapped his arms around the younger one’s small, shaking body and pulled him all lovingly closer for one more time. Both pressed their eyes closed, causing so tears to well over of the corner of their eyes, while they tried to soak up everything from their last closeness. The warmth, each other’s scent, how perfectly their bodies did fit to each other, that deep, beautiful feeling of love and secureness of each other’s arms wrapped around them.
But also this long, tight embrace had finally its end, when they hesitantly pulled apart and like already so many times before, Carlos brushed that single curl out of the younger one’s head, while he looked down at him in awe.
“I’m sorry, but I just can’t love you like I want so badly. It’s not possible any more, they won’t let us.” The Spaniard whispered with a tilted head, while he looked down at him in admiration, being unable to stop those thick tears rolling down his cheeks as well.
Lando had kept quiet the whole time long, not being able to say just one word because of the knot deep inside his throat didn’t let him and also because his lower lip was shaking so badly.
So Carlos finally added with the softest voice of his and he even forced himself to smile at least a little, when he whispered down to Lando, while he was still looking deep into his eyes “Promise me to watch out for yourself, mi corazon.”
That finally broke Lando. He could only nod his head promising any more, because his eyes were boiling over with hot tears and he had to bite down harshly onto his lip to keep it from shaking that much and also to keep those whimpers from leaving his throat.
Carlos knew Lando will be able to take care of himself, he was also sure about that he will make it, also without him, he actually already did so since months, but he didn’t tell him so, because he knew he didn’t want to hear that at the moment.
So the Spaniard only stroked through his favourite brown curls for one last time with a tortured smile himself, before he grabbed his suitcase and said his final goodbye to the love of his life.
Carlos’ whole world stopped to move and new tears started their ways down to his chin, when he heard Lando break down into tears, cries, and sobs the moment he had closed the front door behind himself.
Even when he had wanted to turn around so badly, rush back inside the house to take Lando in his arms and tell him that everything will good again, Carlos still held himself back from doing so, because he knew he once again wouldn’t be able to hold his promise.
To have a secret relationship with another man, who also had to happen to be your teammate, at least it had been that way when they had come together, in the complex world of Formula One, was really impossible, they knew that now. Even when they had first thought to be able to beat them all, to beat the whole world. That they were stronger than all of them together.
But they had been so wrong. They had been really so naïve and stupid to believe so. And not being able to tell their friends or at least their families about it made it all only even worse. They had to admin, that they were wrong the whole time long, that their love wasn’t that strong like they had always believed. It was too late now.
They both came out of it with a broken heart and those wounds won’t heal that quickly, if ever. The Spaniard got that while he was sitting in the taxi on his way to the airport. And the pain became worse and worse the farther away he got from Lando.
~~~
Three months later
It was his third bad race in a row. Lando was at his end, with his body, with his nerves and also mentally. He couldn’t any more, he really just couldn’t go on any more. No matter what he did lately, no matter what he tried, if it was on the track, by his training or up to his computer games, nothing wanted to work any more.
Lando couldn’t sleep properly any more, he didn’t have any appetite, had already lost way too much weight and he had been constantly tensed. Whenever someone asked him about what was going on with him, he only bit back all aggressive and didn’t let anyone close. He was also very unfair towards his family, who only meant it good with him, especially his parents, but Lando was so tired of everything. He just wanted to be alone.
The young Brit really didn’t know any more what he should do, he was lost. Everything had gone down, since Carlos had stepped through his front door that day and so also out of his life.
Actually the reason of their break-up had been to make things easier again, for them to calm down and not being tensed and so exhausted all the time, but for Lando it really hadn’t worked. In the end everything became only even worse, even when he hadn’t thought that was possible any more.
At least it turned out that way for him, because for Carlos everything seemed to work since they had broken up. His races were good and stable, nothing to worry here, but Lando was just too distanced to him to tell, if he was really okay. But since he knew his ex-boyfriend pretty well and he exactly knew how good he had always been able to handle such difficult situations, if it even was one for him, and how good he always managed it to hide his true feelings, Lando knew he was alright.
In contrast to him. Yes, even when in the end their relationship hadn’t worked any more like in the beginning when everything was just perfect, Lando only got it how much love and comfort he had still received from the Spaniard, even in the less time they were able to see each other.
It had still always been enough for Lando to go on, to get through the day. He was sure about that even if he would get the less possible love and affection from Carlos, it would have been enough for him, but now it was all gone and he was alone.
Lando did miss him like hell, all the time but the worst it were in the moments he knew they could have spent some time together. When he was laying all alone in his hotel room bed in the end of the day, when he was alone at him and tried to remember that one delicious lunch Carlos and he had once cooked together and he should have paid more attention to the recipe and how the meal was getting done, instead of his good-looking boyfriend. And also when he thought about the coming summer break.
Since already so many months they had dreamed about spending their holidays in Spain, so Lando could finally see how the older did live. He would have got to know his family and friends, of course Carlos would always only introduce him as his friend and not as his boyfriend, but still. They would have been able to spend so much time together, but now Lando didn’t have any plans at all for the summer break.
He didn’t even want to think about it, because if he was serious he didn’t want to do anything at all. He just wanted to lay in bed and only get up again to finally travel to the next race. Because without Carlos, Lando was nothing and he had also never thought to admit it one day, but he did really miss the time, when he had waited for his boyfriend to finally come to his place all night long to spend at least a few hours together. Because in the end, it was still more time with him, than he got now.
Even when Lando knew, he could call Carlos, talk to him or maybe to even meet to go for a coffee or something like that, he still didn’t do it, because he didn’t want to annoy him with his stupid problems. Because they weren’t together any more, the Spaniard wasn’t his boyfriend anymore and so he also didn’t need to listen to his break downs any more.
But Lando also only couldn’t talk to Carlos any more, he couldn’t talk to anyone about it, because no one knew they had been a couple once. It made everything just even worse, which did finally lead Lando to find himself crying all desperately inside his driver room after another horrible race outside the points for him.
At least he was able to finish the race, he thought to himself bitterly. But he didn’t know which was worse, not being able to finish the race because of a technical issue and not being able to show so what he was able to do, or being able to show it and still ending the race on P14 because his driving skills were that horrible.
Lando only got it how loud his sobs and cries had obviously been, when someone knocked against his door and asked for his permission to come inside. It was Daniel, who pocked his head through his door a few moments later, even when he hadn’t given him an answer, because his swollen throat didn’t let him.
“Hey. Why are you crying like that, mate?” Daniel asked, like he didn’t know the reason of his tears, when he sat right next to him and laid an arm around his shaking shoulders. Lando still wasn’t able to form any words, why he only buried his tear strained face into his teammate’s race suit.
“It’s okay. Everyone has a bad race now and then. You just have some bad luck lately, but I’m sure it will be over soon. No need to cry like that.” Daniel tried to calm him down and Lando really appreciate his try to cheer him up, but those tears actually really weren’t because of today’s race, it had maybe just played a small part, but the real reason of his break-down was the Spaniard a few garages down the pit lane.
“I miss him so much.” The young Brit finally whined out between deep, heart-breaking sobs unwanted. “Who do you miss, mate?” Daniel asked confused in return, trying to catch his eyes while doing so. Lando knew he actually had to keep his mouth latest now shut, but he was too tired for it to go on hiding his feelings any more. He was done, he just needed it to finally bring it over his lips, while he was exactly aware about that someone was listening to him.
“Carlos.” The name of the love of his life finally rolled over his lips and even when it caused Lando goose bumps everywhere on his body, he still closed his eyes in relieve to had finally said it out loud.
He could hear the smile out of Daniel's voice, when he did response surprised and also played offended “Carlos? I didn’t know I am such a bad teammate.” Lando did sniff and breathed through, before he finally pulled his head away from where it had rested against his friend’s shoulder, whipping the still present tears away from his cheeks in the process.
“It’s not that. Carlos was more than just a teammate to me.” Lando told Daniel, without looking him in the eyes. The Aussie was barely serious, but his wide grin quickly faded away when he got it what those words of his younger teammate meant.
“You had a crush on him?” Even when Daniel had asked so all carefully, it still caused Lando to chuckle, thinking about that he maybe could have been able to deal with it, if it would have only been that. Already new tears did burn in his red and swollen eyes, when the younger one shook his head and he finally said out loud those words for the first time
“I didn’t only have a crush on him. I loved him, I still do with my whole heart. We were together, Daniel. We were a couple over one year.”
And even when Lando felt so relieved and freed he hadn’t since such a long time, he still broke down and crashed back into his teammate’s arms, who welcomed him instantly. Daniel moved through the younger one’s curls in an effort to calm him down, while his words were still running through his head.
He really needed a few moments to really understand it all. Lando and Carlos had been a couple, but now obviously weren’t of whatever reason any more. He hadn’t known nor expected this at all, why he was that surprised now, but on the other hand everyone had seen it that the two drivers had something very special together. Daniel only got it now how special their relationship had always been.
And he only got at that moment that no matter what had happened between the two of them, even when he could already imagine that the Spaniard’s move to Ferrari had to do something with it, they needed to become a couple again. Because even when Daniel just got to know about them, he was still one hundred per cent sure about them being the perfect, dream couple.
Still surprised and also perplexed he tried to calm down the young, bitterly crying man in his arms, when he gave himself the promise to bring his two friends together again, no matter what it will cost.
Since a few weeks, Charles had noticed the change by his new teammate. But not because of Carlos’ races, they were actually great and very constant, but on the way he acted the second he took his helmet off, he knew that something was wrong.
No matter what the reason was, the Spaniard was always able to push it away during races, being the professional racer he always was, to only come back and his worries hitting him just even harder, when the whole tension was gone.
“What’s wrong?” The young Monégasque had asked more than just once, but he never got a satisfying answer from his friend in return. Carlos always only shrugged his shoulders and secured him that he was alright and nothing was wrong. But Charles didn’t believe him one word.
It went on that way for way too long, without Carlos telling his friend what did bother him that much, why he looked so sad all the time. He also wasn’t up to spend any time with Charles together any more and have some fun. Carlos only spent most of his free time alone inside his hotel room, it almost seemed like his whole will to live was suddenly gone from one day to the other.
Until Charles had enough, because his new teammate had been way more fun to be with at the beginning of the season. Something massive must have happened to him that caused him to be that thoughtful and reserved since ages and Charles wanted to find out what it was so badly.
He had enough of his behaviour, because they were actually friends and he really wanted to help him, but Carlos didn’t let it happen. So Charles finally invited his teammate over to his place in Mugello, where his actual plan was to get him to drunk, so he will hopefully finally tell him about his worries.
And after the seventh bottle of beer Carlos finally did so, but not only that, he told his teammate everything, his whole heart. Charles had expected much, actually he had already known before, that love was in the play, but he would have never ever expected that.
Carlos told him the whole story that night, while his eyes never got dry the whole time long. He told Charles about the feelings he had carried for Lando already since the first moment he had seen him. He described about how difficult it was for him to hide those strong feelings and act like they were only teammates all the time and he didn’t care for the younger one more than anything.
But in the end all his worries were for nothing, when Lando had told him his feelings for him, which mirrored Carlos’ feelings. Until today the Spaniard was grateful Lando had been braver than him that day to make the first step, because he would have probably never told his friend his feelings for him.
But Lando was that strong and since that day they had been a couple. It was all so new for them, for of them, but they made it together. They went slow first, very slow even, because it literally was for both their first times with another man.
Even when they had kept their relationship secret in front of everyone, also from their friends and families, it had worked and they were over the moon happy. But then there came the offer from Ferrari and everything changed even when Carlos had promised his boyfriend that nothing will change at all.
The big, wide, happy smile Carlos had on his lips the whole time long he had talked about Lando and their relationship, had got replaced instantly with a very sad and desperately expression, but also tears shining in his eyes, in the second he had mentioned Ferrari.
He told Charles what had happened then, how complicated everything became. He told him about their many, unsuccessful tries to spend at least some time together, their fights because everything just became too much for them to handle any more, about how unhappy and upset Lando had been since months and how Carlos tried so desperately to love him the way he deserved it, but failed almost every time.
Latest when the Spaniard told him about the day Lando had come home from his appointment at the MTC and found him sitting there on the stairs, already all ready to leave him again, before they could have even shared one word with each other, tears were rushing down his cheeks.
Charles instantly wrapped his arms around him, when Carlos cried that it was all his fault. He should have tried it harder, he should have been there for his boyfriend, he should have managed his life better, he should have kept his promise. He should have never signed for that damn Ferrari contract.
And the worst of it all, Lando was obviously still mad at him for failing, because since they have broken up, he hadn’t heard one word from the younger one. Carlos really wished for Lando to be all good, he would never wish him anything bad, but he would also really like to know if he missed him the same way as he did miss him every single second.
Of course, the Spaniard had noticed about the younger one’s races hadn’t been that great lately, but he didn’t know if he should try to contact him, to talk to him about it and ask him if everything was alright, because he didn’t know if Lando wanted to hear anything from him after what had happened.
But how bad Carlos missed it to take him into his arms, to take care of him, to secure him that everything will be good again and motivate him. His body was already thrusting for it so badly, because it was his way of being and he exactly knew how bad Lando had always needed his attention and affection.
But maybe he had already found someone else, who satisfied these and maybe also other needs for him. Just by that thought even more tears rolled out of Carlos’ eyes and he began to sniff that heart-breaking way in desperation.
Even when Charles tried it so badly to calm down his teammate that evening, Carlos couldn’t stop any more once he had begun. He had kept those feelings all to himself for way too long. His friend wasn’t able to talk to anyone about it all the time and now that he finally did, the emotions swapped over.
Charles really hated it to see the Spaniard like that, because he knew it wasn’t his fault at all what had happened between the two of them. They had both tried their bests to make their relationship work. It really hadn’t been on them and they did deserve a second chance like no one else did.
And that night the younger one promised himself to help his friend, because he just couldn’t see him like that any more. Lando and Carlos both deserved it to be happy again and in his eyes they were the perfect couple and were just meant for each other.
But Charles couldn’t bring them together on his own. He needed someone’s help.
~~~
Two weeks later
To celebrate the first half of the season, even when there wasn’t much for Lando to celebrate about, and also their upcoming summer break, even less for Lando to celebrate here, Daniel had invited him over to his place in Monaco.
Actually Lando really didn’t feel like it, he just wanted to fly back home again and hide inside his house for the rest of the summer, but his teammate had really insisted to it and finally had also talked him into it with being maybe a little too annoyed once again.
The young Brit had landed today around midday in Monaco and after Daniel had picked him up from the airport, they went for lunch and following drove over to his flat, where he will also stay for the next three days.
Since Daniel knew about his feelings towards Carlos, Lando felt even more accepted and also understood in his presence, because the Aussie always tried it to cheer him up whenever he made that one face and he exactly knew he was once again thinking about his ex-boyfriend.
“I don’t want to see that expression any more for the next few days. I want you to have your fun and enjoy it here, because there are so many great things we can do, so many great places we can visit, you actually have no idea what Monaco is able to offer. Or don’t you want to spend some time with your lovely, good-looking teammate?”
Daniel’s try to cheer him up had once again worked, when Lando chuckled because of his statement and he rolled his eyes. He tried, he really tried to enjoy their time together and also have some fun, but since a few months it felt like that this was the maximum of happiness he could reach.
“Alright. So what are your plans for tonight then?” Lando asked with the best smile he could arrange, because he knew how bad Daniel tried it to cheer him up, so he should at least try it to have some fun.
The Aussie told him about his plans to go for dinner in some fine, fancy almost romantically restaurant like he called it, before going to the cinema later and that he should better not wear some of his hoodies for it tonight.
So Lando chose for one of the less decent shirts he had taken with him and that one light grey jeans he had thrown inside his suitcase. Actually Daniel hadn’t promised too much, when they entered the restaurant one hour later.
It was really very pretty and they got offered a great few over the port of Monaco. They obviously had a table in the garden of the restaurant to enjoy the beautiful, warm July night, while Lando followed the older one outside.
He first hadn’t noticed it with his whole attention being on the breath-taking view and the enchanting fairy lights in the tress around them, only when Daniel stopped right in front of him and Lando had almost crashed into his back, he stopped to daydream and got it to which table his teammate had leaded them and even more important who was sitting there.
Carlos looked the same way back at him, like Lando eyed him all surprised and in shock. Their eyes were widened almost painfully and their moths fell opened, when they got it who was there right in front of their eyes, so reachable like they weren’t since months.
The Spaniard, sitting right next to Charles, was the first one who came back to his senses, when he suddenly stood up, almost kicking his chair to the ground during the process. “Lando.” He whispered all overjoyed with suddenly so sparkling eyes that the fairy lights around them could get jealous.
Of course, Carlos went over to greet Lando first, who still only stood there in shock and watched the happenings in front of him all helpless and overwhelmed. “Hey.” The Spaniard greeted him softly with that one gorgeous smile of his.
“I didn’t know you will come along with Daniel. It’s so great to see you again.” Carlos really had to hold himself back from calling the younger one mi corazon like he had always done, but he was really truly happy to see him here all unexpected.
But Lando’s trance still hadn’t stopped, it only got even worse, when his ex-boyfriend leaned down to place a tender kiss onto his warm cheek. It was maybe a force of habit, but also simply Carlos’ sweet, charming way, but still it caused both of them to stop their tracks for a few moments and look deep into each other’s eyes, after he had pulled away and the tip of their noses had almost touched with being so close to each other.
“Hey, I’m also still here, mate.” Daniel finally broke the connection between the two of them, after Charles and he had shared a look and they had got the lightly present tension between their friends. It was once again Carlos, who came back to life sooner, when he finally looked over to Daniel and he also smiled at his friend in return.
“Of course. Hey to you as well, mate. How are you doing?” The Spaniard greeted his successor all warmly, before they shared some words. Lando could still only watch them all clueless about what was going on here, still not getting it how he got into this situation. Why they did meet Carlos and Charles here in a restaurant somewhere in Monaco. That just couldn’t be a coincidence, right?
And Charles finally confirmed his guess, when he stormed over to his side and quickly pulled him into a tight hug to greet him. “Seems like our surprise was successful.” The young Monégasque raved all happily about his friend’s reactions.
Finally, also Lando come back to the ground of reality, when he asked the Ferrari driver still a little confused “Yours and Carlos’ surprise?” While Daniel and Carlos still had some small talk, Charles shook his head and explained with a wide grin to him “No, Daniel’s and mine, you dummy.”
Lando once again didn’t know what he should say, because not only Daniel knew about Carlos and his backstory, but obviously also Charles now and even when it had turned out good in the end that his teammate knew about his secret, Lando still felt uncomfortable with that Charles also knew about it now.
They had never told anyone about their relationship for so long and now already two people knew about it and even when they were their friends, Lando didn’t know how to handle this.
When Daniel and Charles finally took places opposite each other, Carlos’ and Lando’s eyes met once again for a brief moment, before the older one, like the gentlemen he always was, offered his ex-boyfriend the chair right next to Daniel.
The young Brit hesitated first, being once again lost in Carlos’ so familiar, dark chocolate eyes, before he finally took place on the offered seat as well. Their eyes were instantly on each other again, when Carlos took place right next to Charles and this time they didn’t stop their connection any more. No one was able to get their attention away, while they stared all overwhelmed at each other.
They hadn’t been that close to each other since that one day already over three months ago. Carlos hadn’t been able to look right into those gorgeous, clear eyes for what really felt like a whole eternity. Lando was so close to him, actually really reachable this time, but still he kept his hands all by himself and only took him in with his eyes, while his lips were still parted because of his appearance.
Also Lando didn’t know how he should handle this situation. He was simply overwhelmed with all those feelings rushing through his body at the moment. He had best wanted to jump right into the Spaniard’s arm and claim his plump lips with his own finally again, kissing him senseless, telling him how damn much he had missed him and how bad he still loved him, maybe even more than before their break up.
But instead he kept sitting still, unable to move just one limp. All he could do was blinking ever few seconds, but he already missed Carlos again the brief moment he couldn’t see him while blinking. Yeah, maybe it was a little exaggerated, but it was the truth. How had he made it that far without him, without breaking apart completely?
“Guys?!” They could hear Charles’ voice, but only from far away and they both didn’t give any attention at all to him, while still being busy to take each other in, after so many days not being able to see each other that close.
“Lando! Carlos!” Daniel tried his luck now to stop their connection, when he called their names in a little sharper tone. The Spaniard was once again the first one, who stopped their eye contact, when he lightly shook his head and looked over to the Aussie.
Heavy-hearted Lando looked down at the fingers on his lap, while he could feel his cheeks blush. Why did their friends have to bring them in such a situation? How should he ever get over Carlos, when they arranged such an evening? It was unfair and made everything just even more difficult, for both of them.
“Yeah? I’m sorry, what have you just said?” Carlos informed himself, still with his thoughts by the young Brit sitting opposite him and not at their conversation at all. It caused Daniel and Charles to smile at each other and following also to the two ex-McLaren drivers, who both had lightly reddened cheeks and looked so thrown out of their daydreams.
“We are just sitting here for two minutes and you both already can’t take your eyes away from each other.” Daniel announced with one of his bright smiles and his eyebrows wiggling. Not only Lando’s, but also Carlos’ cheeks blushed in a very deep red then.
Either the young Brit wanted to get away from here as quickly as possible or find himself in Carlos’ arms in the next second. There was nothing in between. He really couldn’t sit all evening opposite the man he loved with his whole heart and not being able to reach out for him. Lando just couldn’t do that, he already felt sick while just thinking about it.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t do this. I have to go.” He finally whispered, feeling how tighter and tighter his throat got with every breath, like this situation right here was a choke snake around his neck.
Even without looking up, he could feel Carlos’ eyes burning instantly into his skin, being already all worried about his being, but maybe also a little disappointed that he wanted to get away from here as fast as possible.
But what Lando didn’t know at that moment was that Carlos was next to that, also very sorry, because he knew it was his fault that he wasn’t feeling good and couldn’t handle the situation, even after already so much time had passed. Lando still hadn’t forgiven him for failing and once again Carlos hated himself so much for not being able to keep his promise.
“No, no, mate. You won’t go anywhere. You will be a good boy and first listen to what we have to tell the two of you.” Daniel held Lando back from getting up and running away as fast as possible. The young Brit didn’t look that happy about it, almost tortured, but he still kept sitting still, also because he was afraid about getting the urge to throw up, if he will move that quickly once again.
“Well.” Charles began a little softer and more compassionate than Daniel, when he tried to explain them all carefully “Since Daniel and I know why you are both so down and sad lately and we really can’t see the two of you like that any more, we kind of wanted to give you a little shove into the right direction with this evening.”
Because Carlos was always the smarter one between the two of them, he had already got it latest now all on his own, that not only his teammate, but also Lando’s new teammate knew about what had happened to them. And because Lando was still unable to form any words, it was the Spaniard who tried to explain to their friends “Guys, I know you only mean it good and it’s also really nice from you, but it’s not that easy like you think it is.”
Lando only dared to look up at the other two’s reactions through his lashes, because he was feeling the same way as Carlos. But Daniel and Charles didn’t look disappointed like he had expected them to be, instead they both shook their heads, before Daniel told them and he could still hear the excitement out of his voice
“It’s not a try to bring the two of you together again. After what we have heard it’s really not that easy, but we just want to see the two of you happy again, like Charles has already said. And we know you can both only be happy again, if you will see each other and spend some time together again. The two of you know better than we do, that you really need each other. Why don’t you sort things out and become friends? It really doesn’t have to be boyfriends or nothing at all.”
Carlos wanted to say something, he probably didn’t want to contradict them, because he exactly knew how right their friends were, but he still closed his mouth again in the end and looked over to Lando, whose eyes were already fixed on him again.
The younger one gifted him a small smile, telling him so that his body was indeed screaming for at least some of his attention and affection, if Carlos was willing to give him so already now. But Lando knew his ex-boyfriend and he also knew that Carlos had probably got it in the second he had seen him again, that he wasn’t doing that well without him.
Finally, Charles began to speech again, when he offered them a very promising suggestion, which they really couldn’t reject. “Why don’t you just forget about what has happened between the two of you for one night and just enjoy each other’s company, without thinking about tomorrow. I think it will do you both very good. You need it to go on.”
Carlos and Lando could only agree to that with nodding their heads and even when they both knew that this evening will be good for them, they still knew that tomorrow will be like hell, when the reality will hit them again. But tomorrow was tomorrow and right now at this moment they really didn’t want to think about what will come.
“Okay.” Carlos eventually also agreed verbal to their suggestion and when also finally Lando’s lips formed a smile as well, they knew the younger one was into it as well.
Happy about their successful try to gift their friend’s a nice evening, Charles and Daniel smiled at each other, before the Aussie announced “Perfect, you idiots. Then I hope you will enjoy your dinner. The bill is on us by the way, but don’t you dare to take advance of it, I warn you.”
“You won’t join us?” Lando asked surprised and also a little panic was audible in his voice, while he and Carlos watched them already standing up. “No, this evening only belongs to you, guys. We have a table inside, so don’t worry. Just enjoy your evening, I try to do as well with this dork right here joining me.” Charles explained to them with a wink.
And before they could respond anything, Daniel and Charles already made their way inside the restaurant and the ex-boyfriends were all alone. A thick, uncomfortable silence followed, while Lando once again stared down at his shaking fingers on his lap, while Carlos eyed him lightly concerned.
“Are you okay with this? If you want I can go, so you can join Daniel and Charles. I would understand it.” The older one suggested well-meant, even when it would have still hurt him. Instantly Lando’s eyes snapped up at his ex-boyfriend’s, before he quickly said to calm down his nerves “No, I would really like to have dinner with you together. But.. I don’t know. It’s just kinda..”
“..strange. I know.” Carlos ended his friend’s sentence, because he felt the exact same way. Lando could only node his head in agreement to that, because like always the older one exactly knew how he felt. But still Lando kept quiet and only cleared his throat, because he didn’t know what to say.
All carefully, because Carlos didn’t know how he will react to it and the very last thing he wanted tonight was to shrug him away, he slowly reached out to take his ex-boyfriend’s shaking and also lightly sweating hand tightly into his to squeeze it softly in affection.
By the touch Lando looked up at the older one through his lashes and even if he had wanted to, he still couldn’t stop himself from smiling like a children on Christmas morning by the body contact he had lingered for already so long.
Lovingly the Spaniard stroked with his thumb over the back of his fingers, still holding his hand all tightly and Lando giggled like a teenager in love, when Carlos winked at him. He instantly felt like back then at the beginning of their relationship, when everything was still so new and exciting for them and they hadn’t wasted just one thought about what the future might bring, when they had no problems at all.
But the reality came right back, when Carlos whispered sincerely “I have missed you so much.” Even without wanting it, tears began to fall down Lando’s cheeks instantly, even when he hadn’t known before, that his eyes were already watering that much.
“Oh, Lando. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to make you sad.” Carlos apologized, while he patted the back of his hand to calm down his nerves. At that moment the waitress came to their table to ask what they would like to drink.
“Oh, sir. Do you need a tissue?” The kind woman asked, when she saw Lando’s tears and Carlos effort to comfort him. Lando himself didn’t know why he was suddenly crying. He was actually smiling at Carlos and now also at the waitress, but still he couldn’t stop those thick tears running down the whole way to his chin.
“That’s really nice, but no, thank you. I’m alright. Just got a little emotional. It will be over in a few moments.” Lando explained, while he tried to whip his tears away and show both of them one of his cutest smiles. The woman seemed to be relieved and satisfied with his answer and also his smile, before she took their order.
“I’m sorry, it’s already over again. It’s just that I really haven’t expected it to see you tonight. If I had known, I would have dressed better and I would have also prepared for it, but.. I have also missed you so much.” Lando couldn’t stop his train of words any more once he had started and new tears did already glisten in his eyes again, when Carlos quickly reached out for his hands to take both of them into his to prevent him from breaking down into tears once again.
“Lando, hey. It’s okay. Daniel and Charles are right. We shouldn’t think about what has been and what will be tomorrow, let us just live here at this moment and enjoy it as much as we can. And by the way, I think you look stunning tonight.”
Even after already such a long time and probably thousands of compliments, Lando still blushed badly and rolled his eyes, because he couldn’t help himself in another way. But hell, it did feel so good to finally get such a compliment again and then even from Carlos, who was the most gorgeous man on this planet for the younger one.
“Okay, I have time. Let us make this night unforgettable.” Lando agreed, his tears already forgotten again, instead he beamed back at Carlos over the candlelight, which caused the same happy and excitement expression on his face.
And so they finally did. They did enjoy every moment of their dinner and didn’t think one second about what had been and what might be. They talked about god and the world, about everything that came to their minds and it was just great. Their dinner was delicious, Lando couldn’t remember when he had eaten that much in just such a short time the last time.
And he also couldn’t remember when he had smiled and laughed that much in just one evening. Carlos had really managed it to make Lando forget about all their problems, fears and worries for at least a few hours.
They were holding hands during the whole dinner, not letting go for just one moment. Also their legs were knotted into each other under the table and actually they really hadn’t noticed what was going on around them, because they only had eyes for each other. This evening was perfect and exactly what both of them had needed so urgently to go on.
But also this dinner came to its end, when after they had shared a big dessert together and their glasses were empty, they both knew it was time to go. From their places they could see Daniel and Charles through the window, they both had obviously also already ended their dinner and just chatted with each other.
“Are you already ready for the cinema or do you still need some time to recover after this colossal dinner?” Carlos asked well-meant, still eyeing the younger one in amusement, because he was shortly before exploring.
“I don’t know if I can take any popcorn at the moment, if I’m serious.” He told him, while he stroked over his way too full belly. The older one laughed out about his statement, before he suggested, even when he already knew the answer to it with knowing Lando already way too well “You really don’t have to eat any popcorns at all at the cinema, you know?”
“What? Going to the cinema without eating any popcorn? I didn’t know if that was even possible. Oh, no. Either popcorn and cinema or no cinema at all.” Carlos chuckled, it once again showed him how much he had really missed the younger one over the last few months. “Alright, but what else do you have in mind then for the rest of our evening?”
Lando first shrugged with his shoulders, before he finally suggested all carefully through his lashes “How about a walk on the beach?” Like always Carlos could never deny him any wish and especially not this one, because he probably liked that idea as much as Lando did.
“Sounds great to me.” The Spaniard told him sincerely, while winking over the candlelight at him, before he brought his hand closer to his lips to kiss the back of his fingers over the table, which caused Lando once again to blush badly.
Still hand in hand they stood up and made their way inside to their friends, who both began to shine over their ears, when they say them holding hands like that. “Lando, right here has maybe eaten at a little too much, so we thought to skip the cinema and go for a walk on the beach. Do you want to join us?”
To their surprise, Daniel and Charles both quickly shook their heads and rejected their offer. Because they actually still wanted to go to the cinema and they also wanted them to spend some more time alone together.
So all alone, Lando and Carlos went hand in hand down the streets of Monaco, till the wide, endless ocean appeared right in front of them. Their whole walk to here they hadn’t spoken one word, because words weren’t necessary. They just enjoyed each other’s company and having each other finally so close again.
The still warm night was perfect for a walk at the beach and after they have taken off their shoes, they followed the endless beach to wherever it will lead them. To hear the waves next to them was such a calming sound, while everything else around them was silent and it was only the two of them here.
They were still quiet, until Lando wrapped himself around Carlos’ arm onto which hand he was still holding onto all tightly and he beamed up at him, brighter than all those stars and the moon above them together.
“Thank you for this evening.” Lando whispered so close to the Spaniard’s ear that it caused goose bumps to break free over his skin. “Daniel and Charles arranged that, but it was really a very nice evening with you, mi corazon.”
The last words had rolled over Carlos’ lip without him being able to hold them back. It was a force of habit, about which not only he himself, but also Lando had felt sad for one quick moment, but only till he leaned down and kissed the top of his head.
“I have missed being called like that from you.” The young Brit purred, being lost in all those moments Carlos had ever called him so. “I have also missed calling you like that. You can’t even imagine how much.”
“No, I can. And I really wish you could still call me like that.” Lando sighted broken-hearted, before he closed his eyes to hold in those tears already waving inside his eyes. He began to panic for one quick moment, when Carlos freed his arm from his tight grip, but only to lay his arm around his shoulders and pull him into his side.
To finally be able to inhale his scent and perfume deep inside his lungs again, caused Lando’s heart to flutter and he felt home instantly between those strong arms of the man he trusted the most. Also Carlos buried his nose deep inside those so familiar, cute curls he adored so much to take in his unique scent.
“Can I ask you something, mi corazon?” The older one whispered into the night, his voice did suddenly sound so tensed and also saddened, before he even said out loud his question. “Sure.” And even though he had Lando’s permission now, the Spaniard still hesitated.
“You don’t have to answer me, if you don’t want, because you really don’t owe me an answer at all, because we are not together any more, but.. I just can’t stop thinking about it since I have got through that door back then.” Carlos had finally found enough courage, before he added with a lightly tortured and hurt voice “Have you met someone in the meantime? You don’t have to tell me anything, like who it is, but I would really like to know if he treats you well, because it would really make my nights maybe a little more restful in the future.”
Lando could understand his ex-boyfriend’s question, he really could and he also knew how he felt with just thinking about it, because he felt the exact same way. He knew that someone so good-looking and having such a golden, charming heart like Carlos had, won’t be alone for too long. He would easily find a replacement for him, he was sure about that.
“There has been that one guy, when I was with Max together on the after race party in Monaco, but.. I just couldn’t do it. I only saw you in front of me the whole time long and that that guy really couldn’t keep up with you, even when he still tried it so hard. I couldn’t because I was thinking about you, I’m still only thinking about you all the time. No, there hasn’t been anyone.”
Probably in relief, Carlos pulled the younger one even closer into his side and placed a long kiss against his hairline. Carlos wanted Lando to be happy, he really wished so, but just the thought about his boy being in someone else arms made him feel sick instantly and endless jealous. “And you?” It suddenly came from the young man in his arms. “Were you meeting someone in the meantime?”
“No. No, I could never do that, because I exactly know that no one would ever come just close to you, mi corazon. There is only talented, young man on this planet I would like to have in my arms.” And to emphasize so even more that Lando was meant with that, the Spaniard pulled him one time closer and rubbed with his warm, soft palm over his upper arms and caused Lando so to smile in comfort.
They made some steps through the silent night, trying to process what they had just told each other and what it meant. Carlos then remembered about him asking Lando earlier by their dinner about his being and like he had already expected, the younger one had just shrugged his shoulders and told him that he was alright. And like Lando had lied to him, also Carlos had lied, when he answered Lando as well, that he was good.
“How are you really feeling, mi corazon?” Carlos’ question did hang in the air and this time the younger one knew he couldn’t lie at him so easily. Because it had no sense with Carlos just always exactly knowing when he was lying.
“If I’m serious..” Lando started, before he did need another deep breath to go on “..I feel horrible. Nothing seems to work any more, no matter what I do since you are gone. I’m so tensed and nervous the whole time and whenever someone asks me what’s wrong I completely freak out, also by my family. I can’t eat and sleep properly anymore and I miss you every damn second since you are gone.”
Lando had actually also wanted to ask Carlos how the last few months had been for him, but he couldn’t go on any more, when his voice broke and he tried to swallow down his tears. They had actually wanted to enjoy this evening right here, with being together again since such a long time.
“Lando. Mi corazon, please don’t cry.” The Spaniard pleaded, after he had stopped them both and had taken his face between his palms. “I’m not crying, at least I’m trying so.” His statement caused them both to smile, even when it was a bitter smile.
“I’m sorry about what you had to get through because of me. I’m so sorry for not being able to keep my promise. Believe me, I probably hate myself more because of it than you hate me.” Carlos affirmed, while he looked that sorry way down at him and caused so a shiver to run down his spine.
Only then Lando remembered about that he had never told the older one about that the whole mess was really not his entirely fault or any of his fault at all. He had been so upset, disappointed and yes also angry, all together a complete idiot, that he had never told the Spaniard so and he had to live with that thought that it was only on him, that their break up was only his own fault during the last months.
“Oh, Carlos.” The young Brit whispered and quickly took his hand all tight into his, when he tried to calm him down with telling him the truth “You know, it was never your fault at all that it hasn’t worked out. You have given your very best all the time, but it just shouldn’t have been. There was something you couldn’t control, but I know you have always given your very best, all the time, you have tried it so hard. And if there should really be some things being on you, there are at least as much my fault as well. Please, stop taking all the blame on you, when it really wasn’t like that. We were both powerless about it, even when we have given our bests.”
For the first time that evening, Lando had to watch how Carlos’ eyes began to glisten and he bit down onto his lip to hold back his tears. Instead, he did lean his forehead against Lando’s and they both closed their eyes to let the just said sink in.
The younger one could exactly feel his breath so close against his nose, when Carlos whispered into the night “I have wanted to give you a good life, I have wanted to adore you every second, I have wanted to love you like you deserve it. I have really tried.”
“I know, but you haven’t only tried it, Carlos, you have even made it. I won’t ever find someone like you in my life again, someone who will treat me the same way as you did, someone that makes me feel so protected and loved like in your arms.”
Latest now, tears were running down their cheeks, while they looked deep into each other’s eyes. “I should have never signed that damn contract. We were happy, so happy and I destroyed everything because I couldn’t get enough. In the end, it is still on me, but I can’t live without you any more, mi corazon.”
“You really didn’t destroy anything, Carlos. You only tried to follow your dreams, there is really nothing wrong about it. You did nothing wrong.” Lando tried to secure him, even when his shoulders were shaking under his following deep sobs and even when he was still standing on Carlos’ side, when he was still supporting his decision, he also still wished that everything would have stayed like it had been. Where would they be right now, if they would both still be both at McLaren?
They would pretty sure be together as well at the moment, but not with tears rushing down their faces. They would be happy, looking forward to their summer break. Maybe they would already be in Spain at Carlos’ place and Lando finally had got to meet his dog. Maybe they had already told their families about their relationship and they had their full support and didn’t need to hide any more, at least as long as they were at home.
But the thought that they won’t ever find out so, caused Lando’s already broken heart to hurt even more. Nothing will ever be like before any more. The time they had had been great as long as it had last, but it was over now, actually already since a longer time.
By those thoughts running through his head, Lando had sunk his head towards the ground, but when Carlos lifted his chin with his index finger, he didn’t have another choice then to look right back into those eyes he trusted the most.
“Let us go away, Lando. Let us leave it all behind and just get away from here, only you and me. What do you say? I can’t go on without you any more. I need you more than anything else. No Ferrari contract will ever be able to make me happy again. I just need you and nothing else. Please.”
Lando had never seen Carlos like that, it only showed him how desperately he really was with suggesting something like that. “Carlos. We can’t run away so easily. You know that.” It did hurt and even when it were his own words, Lando still also didn’t want to accept it that they weren’t allowed to get their happy end.
“Can I at least kiss your lips for one last time?” The Spaniard whispered heart-broken against his tear strained skin and who was he to deny the older this wish, also because he was longing as bad to finally feel those perfect shaped lips against his for one more time as Carlos was for his. Wildly agreeing, Lando nodded his head, while his eyes already flipped between Carlos’ beautiful, dark eyes and full lips.
And then their bodies were once again after such a long, when their lips finally met and they melted away under the feeling of pure love and admiration. Lando wrapped his arms all tightly around Carlos’ well-trained neck to pull him even closer to get the whole taste of him.
One of his hands, the Spaniard had buried deep inside his curls to guide him, so he could kiss him even deeper and get better access to kiss his lips all soft, while he pressed him to his body with his palm against his small back, like he wasn’t ready to ever let him go again.
Lando even got on his tiptoes, to get the maximum out of their kiss, because he knew it will be their last one and he also still wasn’t willing to let that man ever go again. But at one point they still had to, because they were running out of air, even when Lando couldn’t imagine a sweeter death than dying in Carlos’ arms, with his tender lips still pressed against his own.
Both breathless, they pressed their foreheads once again against each other, but even when their lips weren’t connected any more, they still didn’t even think about letting go off each other. It just felt too good, even after all this time. Maybe just because after all this time.
“I will make it work, mi corazon. I just can’t live without you anymore and I also don’t want to. This time I will make it work, I promise. I will do everything that stands under my control and even more to make our relationship work. I don’t give a damn about what the other think any more, I just really don’t care. I only want you and when this means to break my contact with Ferrari then I will do it, because you are so much more important to me, mi corazon. I promise, I really promise this time. You will see.”
Lando didn’t know from where Carlos had the euphoria suddenly, probably because of the breath-taking kiss they had just shared, which also sadly happened to be their last one forever, but he really couldn’t believe him any more this time. He couldn’t trust him like that a second time, because Lando already knew now that Carlos once again won’t be able to hold his promise, even if he smiled at him so convincingly.
“Carlos.” He softly interrupted his train of words, because it did already hurt to just hear those words he knew he won’t ever be able to hold. “We both know you can’t keep this promise, no matter how hard you will try it.” Lando brought him from being over the moon back to the ground of reality in just one second.
Of course, he knew that the younger one was right, but still he would have really given everything to be right next to his side again, for the rest of his life. “Yeah, you are right. I’m sorry. But I will still try to be back by your side whenever you will need me, as a friend. If I can’t have you as my boyfriend, I at least still need you close to me or I will give up.”
“No, Carlos. Wait.” Lando stopped him, just when the older one had wanted to pull away from their embrace. “I didn’t mean it like that. I have just tried to say, that you won’t be able to hold that promise all on your own. It’s not always everything on you. There is also me. We both need to give that promise to each other, not only you alone. Together, the two of us, we will make it and now we also have Daniel and Charles on our sides, who know about us. I’m totally aware about that it won’t get any easier, but like you have already said, I just can’t live without you any more. I need you and I also don’t care about what the other will say any more, but my life isn’t worth living for any more without you. And when now I don’t know how, I’m still sure about that we will make it. Together.”
Overwhelmed and totally taken by surprised, because the Spaniard had thought that this was really their end now, he only blinked down at the younger one all perplexed and in shock. “You really mean that serious, mi corazon? You really think we will be able to make it?”
Wildly agreeing Lando nodded his head, before he whispered into the night with his eyes filled with love and his lips formed into a happy smile “I’m not only thinking so, Carlos, I even promise you this. Our love will be stronger, it already was all the time.”
And without any warnings, the Spaniard pulled his arms quickly around the young Brit’s small body, pulled him against his chest and began to rotate, till even Lando’s feet left the ground and he got thrown around like a little doll, while Carlos couldn’t believe his luck.
They both giggled into the night, while Carlos couldn’t stop to dance around the beach, while he still carried his boyfriend in his arms. At one point Lando crossed his arms behind the Spaniard’s neck and hugged his belly with his legs, like he had already done so often, before they connected their lips for another long, passionate kiss.
“I love you so much.” Lando whispered, after Carlos had let him back on the sand and he looked up at him like the biggest treasure he was for the younger one. “I also love you so much, mi corazon. Something like that won’t ever happen to us again. And I don’t even need to promise you so, because you exactly know it yourself. I won’t ever give up and I also won’t ever let you go.”
From a safe distance and using some bushes as their hiding places, Daniel and Charles had watched their friends the whole time long, like they had already done so back at the restaurant. When they have seen the two of them all overjoyed like that, they knew even without hearing their voices, that they gave their relationship another chance.
Daniel and Charles really had to hold themselves back to not run over to their friends and join them dancing around the beach, because that moment did only belong to them and they had kept an eye on them for already too long anyway. So they only high fived, because of their successful plan, before they finally left the couple alone, especially when they made out under the moon once again.
Charles let over Carlos and Lando his flat, while he went over to Daniel’s place over the night, because they were sure about that the two of them had to talk a lot and they also needed to catch up on their missing body contact over the last few months.
The four of them finally met for brunch in the late morning and both, Carlos and Lando, seemed to be like two different people compared to yesterday. They maybe seemed a little tired because of the less sleep they had got last night, but they were also finally happy again and still overjoyed and totally in love with each other like on the very first day. They couldn’t take their hands away from each other and they also couldn’t stop themselves with beaming at each other that bright, in love drunken way.
The couple told their friends about their plans and how they wanted to make their relationship work this time on that beautiful day in July, before they spend two more days together with their friend in Monaco and Daniel had been right, there were indeed many places worth being seen, especially when you had the man of your dreams next to your side.
Carlos and Lando really used their chance this time. They didn’t spend one minute of the summer break apart from each other. They first went back to the UK to spend two days at the Norris’ farm and finally tell Lando’s family about them being a couple.
When they had enough from the bad weather in the UK, they flow to Spain, where Lando not only finally saw his boyfriend’s house for the first time, but he also met Pinon and together the two of them also told Carlos’ family about them being together.
Things were so much easier and more enjoyable with their families being involved and being so also able to enjoy their full support. They could be themselves around them, they didn’t need to hide any more. It was the best feeling ever. After spending some days with the Spaniard’s family and friends, just the two of them flew for holidays to Madeira.
Back in the UK, Carlos got to meet some of Lando’s closest friends and together they drove over to the MTC to tell Zak and Andreas about their relationship, just to following pack their suitcases once again to fly to Mugello.
Lando also saw his boyfriend’s flat there for the first time and together they also went to the Ferrari factory and inform Binotto and all the other who needed to know about them being a couple and that they had to live with it, if they wanted or not.
In the end, no one had anything against their relationship, even when Ferrari but also McLaren weren’t the happiest about the news, in contrast to their families and friends, but they still accepted it and it made things only even better for them.
They were finally able to official share a hotel room together, to go for dinner every evening and be close to each on the paddock, whenever they wanted, because their team chefs latest couldn’t say anything against their relationship any more, when their performances became better and better with now being an inofficial-offical couple.
They still didn’t want to make their relationship public, but they also didn’t deny it whenever someone asked them about it. They also got the support of their race colleagues and also the respect from most of the interviewers, even more than they would have ever dared to wish for.
And even when they were still separated sometimes, it was still not even half as bad any more, because they knew they will both see each other again soon. Carlos and Lando travelled between Spain, Italy and the UK whenever they were able to together and get the maximum out of their quality time.
If they thought back about it now, they didn’t know any more why they had been so afraid about letting anyone know about their relationship. Sure it had been also pretty nice when no one had known about them being together, it was indeed a great, exciting time, but how things were right now was even better than they had ever dared to dream about.
The promises they had given each other on that beach in Monaco that night had been held this time, because together they did hold onto their shared dream, together they made it, Carlos and Lando could count onto each other, could trust each other and after all it was the most important thing. In the end, they made it. Together. No matter what will come their ways. As long as they were together, everything will turn out good in the end.
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2010 canadian grand prix time
first hamilton pole and webber qualifying p2 but gearbox penalty = demotion to p7 and vettel promotion to p2 from p3. this season is so fucking spicy i love it
the commentators mentioning conspiracy theories about webber's gearbox........people saying that it's internal sabotage by red bull.......fandom never changes i love it
another questionable pitstop costing lewis a place to alonso...rip
except a couple of laps later, buemi holding up alonso and lewis using the opportunity to jump him and grab the lead once buemi pits.... [chef's kiss]
i haven't really been paying attention to the tyre rules this season, but it's basically the crux of this race - both the hard and soft option are falling apart very quickly, so might end up being a 3 stop race for a lot of teams??
red bull in particular are struggling, it's not looking great for them
skjdghs christian himself coming on the radio to tell seb to try and pass since everyone ahead of him is going to the end on their current tyres, red bull are not fucking around after last week in turkey (ted comes on air like 20 mins later to say that it's just because rocky's radio is broken :idonotseeit:)
seb, from p4, with some kind of issue red bull are managing: what is the fastest lap of the race? / rocky: don't even think about it
schumacher with a shitty second move on massa and almost squeezing him into the wall............
sexy mclaren 1-2, second win of the season for lewis + the championship lead :)
i'm crying at the grid girls in the low rise capris, it's fuckin 2005 vibes out here
much more positive cooldown room vibes than in turkey unsurprisingly
8 rounds in and 1) mclaren are on top of the constructors + drivers championships, and 2) seb's only in fifth, this season is so entertaining
podium: hamilton, button, alonso
championship standings after the race
hamilton (109)
button (106)
webber (103)
alonso (94)
vettel (90)
first half of the race was interesting because of the tyre issues, second half less dramatic, but still pretty good. solid 7/10
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Making the pendulum swing - Turkish GP review
There are a lot of reasons motorsports fans love a race in a wet track. For one, rain is a great leveller, reducing the advantages of superior machinery and enhancing driver ability. Another reason is that it is fun to see some of the greatest drivers in the world have to wrestle with the steering wheel; reduced grip, at least to this level, is not a desirable outcome for every single race, but to have it on occasion makes for some great entertainment. And some spins are always a bit of fun to watch.
But the main reason why racing in the wet is so exciting is the unpredictability. These are special races, in which the logic of faster driver in a faster car will win does not (always) apply. Everybody loves an underdog, and these races are the biggest opportunities for unexpected winners in modern F1. Wet races can also provide plenty of changes in momentum, with the pendulum swinging in favour of one driver or another; if someone looks like being in control by lap 10, they might be out of it by lap 20 and back in it by lap 40.
This is exactly what we had in Istanbul this Sunday. Particularly in the first half, several drivers seemed to have the upper hand but, for one reason or another, they ended up falling down the order or, at the very least, could not compete with the eventual winner. In different periods of the race, Stroll, Perez, Verstappen and Albon all seemed like having the perfect set of circumstances to win the race. But Stroll couldn’t keep his tyres from graining, Verstappen and Albon spun out of contention and Perez decided to roll the dice and take the old tyres to the end, sacrificing pace for track position.
Perez’s strategy almost worked. Yes, he was significantly slower than several drivers behind him, and almost lost a place in the podium on the last lap, but he did manage his tyres superbly, as he usually does, to finish in a fine second place. It was, however, not enough to deal with the one man that continues to rise and astonish with how he makes the pendulum swing towards him.
Lewis Hamilton knew after qualifying that he didn’t need to do much in the race to clinch the world title. Bottas had struggled even more than he had, and was three places behind. Stay out of trouble, avoid crashing early and ensure Bottas finishes behind. The Finn made his job even easier by spinning on the opening lap and falling towards the back, from where he never recovered. A scoreless Bottas meant the title was in the bag. Hamilton didn’t need to push.
But he still went for it. He was stuck behind Vettel for a considerable period of time, which meant the Racing Points were too far down the road. As the pendulum swung between different drivers ahead of him, the champion-elect never really seemed with a shot of winning. But Hamilton bid his time and once he had clear air, he saw there was still an opportunity. And he is not one to waste opportunities. He clearly wanted to win the championship in style, not simply have it fall on his lap. In the past, he hasn’t often had the change to secure the title with a win. He wasn’t going to let that go this time around.
In the end, while all the other drivers who were there, or nearly there, made mistakes and lost their cool, Hamilton disappeared down the road, finishing a whopping 30-seconds-30 ahead of the pack. It was another demonstration, as if we needed more, that he does stand head and shoulders above everyone else on the grid. The young pretenders will have to wait a bit longer to dethrone him, because he shows no sign of losing his ability with age.
I try to not focus too much on the winners of a race, and not to write too often about Hamilton, but he makes it really difficult not to. He is a unique talent in the history of the sport and we should very much enjoy watching him while we can. Although there is plenty of talent in the coming generation, we might not see another driver like him for a long while.
Talking points
* On Saturday it seemed impossible that we could see a Hamilton win. The Mercedes were completely out of pace, and it was Racing Point and Red Bull who had the fastest cars. It was an intense qualifying, that finished with a first pole for Lance Stroll. The Canadian gets a lot of stick because of his father’s money, but he does have bags of talent and he showed it on Saturday. The race might not have gone his way (Racing Point reporting there was damage to his front wing which caused the excessive tyre graining) but he should take comfort that, after a tough couple of months, he showed what he is capable of. He should use Saturday as a motivator to finish the season strongly.
* Saturday also provided another concerning moment in terms of safety. At the start of Q2, drivers were sent out on track while marshalls were still in a run-off area, with a crane, recovering Latifi’s car. If your heart went racing back to Suzuka 2014, you were not alone. Race direction justified it by saying they had been informed the crane would be gone by the time drivers reached that point of the track, but there is no justification to even take that risk. A delay of 2 minutes would have been fine. After the issue with the marshalls on track at Imola, this is the second race in a row with less-than-optimal decisions from race direction. We should hope it’s not a trend, but Michael Masi appeared defensive afterwards and said he didn’t think anything should have been done differently. More than the decision itself, his reaction after the fact is not a good sign.
* Wasn’t it great to see Vettel up on the podium again? He has had a torrid year, but had a quietly good race and was there to take advantage of his teammate’s error on the final chicane. It was probably his last podium in red, to leave a slightly sweeter taste to the end of his years with the Scuderia.
* It was also great that he was there congratulating his great rival on another title. The respect Seb and Lewis have for each other is exemplary, both of them clearly aware of the hardships they had to go through to reach the very top. It’s a shame we didn’t get to see them go toe to toe more often in their careers. It should have been the great rivalry of this generation.
* Sergio Perez’s form since it was announced he wouldn’t stay at Racing Point: P5, P4, P4, P7, P6, P2. And those P7 and P6 would have been P5 and P3 without strategy stumbles from the team. It’s ridiculous if he’s not on the grid next year.
* McLaren continue to do what teams that reach the top do well: maximise their results and score valuable points even when their car is not the fastest. Both their cars started behind both Racing Points and Renaults, and yet, of those four drivers, only Perez finished ahead of them. Sainz had a bullet start and kept a cool head to finish P5, just behind the group fighting for the podium. His teammate had a horrible start and was last off the line, but recovered brilliantly to P8, and had a blistering pace towards the end, setting a fastest lap that was a second faster than the next best one. The car’s development might not have gone the way they hoped, but in every other aspect, this is a team firing on all cylinders.
* Bottas had a nightmare race, seemingly incapable of keeping his car on the road. The team revealed he had suffered damage in a first lap contact with Esteban Ocon which could help explain his miserable day. Regardless of the causes, P14 is not a results anyone expects at Mercedes. At least now he is free to race the last 3 GPs without the title in his mind. I wonder if a pressure-less Bottas might put up some more of a fight in the coming weekends.
* The two Red Bull drivers missed out on huge opportunities this weekend. After the first round of pit stops, the race was arguably Verstappen’s to lose, and, well, lose it he did. He was too greedy when trying to overtake Perez and destroyed his tyres in a spin, which forced to a second stop that effectively ended his race. If he was miserable after missing out on pole, I can’t imagine how he must have felt after the race.
As for Albon, he is very much running out of time to impress the Red Bull hierarchy. After Verstappen spun, he was in great position to at least claim a podium, but like the Dutchman, he couldn’t keep his car on the road, and opened the door to Hamilton. To make matters worse, the driver who is apparently being considered to replace him finished second. Red Bull have said he will have until the end of the year to grab that seat, but one has to wonder how much can he genuinely do in the last 3 races after missing out on so many opportunities before?
* What a tremendous qualifying from Alfa Romeo. Their pace disappeared on Sunday, but on Saturday Kimi and Gio were two of the stars, putting their cars in Q3. That this happened on Sauber’s 500th Grand Prix entry was only fitting; they couldn’t score points, but there was something for the team to celebrate about the weekend nonetheless.
* Renault’s topsy-turvy season continues. After 2 podiums in 3 races, they leave Turkey with just one point and their hopes of reaching third in the constructors’ championship dashed. They should do well in the final races of the season, as the power hungry Sakhir and the long straights of Yas Marina will favour their car, but if they want to be in the mix up front, they need to better understand the car and what makes it work (and what doesn’t). They have shown they can put together a competitive car, but they can’t win titles if they don’t show up every weekend.
#turkish gp#lewis hamilton#sergio perez#sebastian vettel#Lance Stroll#mclaren#Racing Point#Red Bull#Max Verstappen#alex albon#Carlos Sainz Jr#lando norris#alfa romeo#Kimi Raikkonen#antonio giovinazzi#renault
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A Double Life
Chapter 5!!
A self-indulgent Daniel Ricciardo fic.
Summary: Returning to old passions results in the start of chaos and living a double life. We say we hate chaos, but the thrill is unlike anything else.
Words: 1,941
Masterlist // Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4
F1 was no joke.
PhD’s were no joke.
You were exhausted. Exhausted didn’t even begin to cover how you felt. Were you dying? Who even knew at this point.
One monday your legs finally gave out as you were walking into university, collapsing from the exhaustion you were fighting. Thankfully you had just made it into your building, the porters quick to call a medic. You actually ended up having to take a couple of days off of lab work and go home and just spend some time sleeping and spending time with your parents. Your supervisors were so worried for your health and the stress you had been putting yourself under they pretty much banned you from the lab for a week.
You still did the workouts you needed to and prepped for races from home. You just did everything on more than five hours sleep. The luxury. It was so damn needed.
Speaking on the phone to Lando one night, the two of you becoming closer friends since being team mates and him checking in more frequently since finding out about you collapsing, you had been joking about how nice sleep was.
“I used to think that being ordinary was boring. Now I’d do anything for a 10 hour nap and a chippy.”
Your little exhaustion moment had scared you a little bit. You’d always managed to do everything. You could have two intense lives and work it. You had felt that for the last three years you mastered juggling a double life. Was it finally coming to crumble around you? Was this it, was the dream over?
You wouldn’t allow it. You couldn’t. Youd fought so hard for this, to have your cake and eat it. It was never meant to be easy and you knew that, this was just one more thing to overcome. Once you had your PhD you would be able to live any life you wanted. You might even be able to sleep seven hours a night on the regular.
You would make this double life work for a little longer, you had to.
Having re-evaluated routines and switching things up so that you could make the most of both lives whilst still being healthy, you were feeling confident, comfortable and it was growing with each race that passed. Sure, not all of the results were what you dreamed off; after all you were yet to tip Lewis off his pedestal, but you were getting there. Getting the car to do your bidding was the first half of the challenge. Now you just needed to do that, but better than every one else on the track.
The other thing to come out of your health scare; especially after some of the drivers have commented on your less deathly appearance was an interesting change in your friendship with a certain Australian.
Sure, you had the big change from thinking he was rude to being caught smiling at his texts, to hanging out in Australia at the start of the season. That you had kind of seen coming; but this? This was unexpected, and you weren’t quite sure what to make of it currently.
After finding out about your little incident, Daniels’ entire energy changed. He was visibly concerned about you, whether you were better now, how you were doing getting everything under control for good. His reaction to discovering the in-depth extremeness of your routine having binged watched your show – he claimed it was a curious interest to occupy his flight but you knew it was to be nosey and you didn’t mind that – was even stranger He had effectively cornered you at the paddock in China with a written out list and spluttering of expletives with the general message of “what the fuck, no wonder you're exhausted.’.
The frequency at which you two texted and chatted was steadily rising as your friendship bloomed but after his discovery of ‘the incident’, it had sky rocketed. Both in general conversation, but also in his concern for you overdoing things. He’s started to make a point, like Lewis often does, to ensure you take a bit of time for you and to relax; so movie and game nights are now a little thing you get when you meet up for a face to face catch up.
The vibes between the two of you were shifting ever so slightly and you weren’t entirely sure where there were setting themselves.
---
You were very lucky in that your family would often come to support you, especially your mum and dad. Albeit your mum couldn’t watch half of the races due to her fear that her little girl was going to be hurt, but she was there every chance she had.
As the season progressed and you were getting some races closer to home, you felt it was about time to invite the main group of people who were yet to see this side of you. Given the intense patience and grace they had given to you, supporting you though everything and allowing your camera crew all access; it was time to invite your boss. Well your other boss. Your supervisor.
Getting back into the swing of things at work in the lab after the Spanish Grand Prix, you felt it was finally time to give back to your lab family.
“I’d like to take you to work next week, and maybe a few others once I check numbers.” Your supervisor knew what ‘work’ meant for you but with more and more people questioning your regular three day weeks, you were starting to feel like letting your two worlds collide a little more.
“Where is work next week? Monaco?”
“Yup. I’ll give my media team a ring and see how many we can take including hotels and go from there”
“Including?!”
“Full VIP, would be rude of me not to.”
A short phone call later, with some rough numbers figured out, you had five full VIP passes at your disposal. Given you rarely have guests at Grand Prix’ they allowed a few extra tickets this time. As one would imagine with a free weekend in Monaco, the academic staff in your research group snapped up those tickets in no time. Of course, with the amount of time spent in your offices and labs, you were safely assuming three of the five had no idea what your job was, though were very curious as to how and why it was taking you to Monaco.
Academic life was no joke. Everyone was busy, everyone had very little free time. Watching sports was only done by super fans really. There weren’t any motorsport super fans in your office and somehow both your show and driving career had still remained unquestioned. How that was true with the camera crew still following you around, you had no idea.
You had sent out a rough, and very vague itinerary, reminding them to be ready to leave work at 6 pm on Wednesday, heading straight to the airport. You had also sent strict dress code instructions- the smarter end of smart casual, knowing that they would likely, if not definitely, be appearing on camera.
With some of your team meeting you at the airport, ready to get your race weekend media started, the confusion of your university colleagues was growing. It peaked as they had you film a short clip to start the weekends media off, it was only a short Instagram story, post hair touch up, to say hi to fans.
“Hey guys, just me taking over the Instagram stories! We’ve just arrived at the airport to head over to Monaco! Can’t wait to see you guys this weekend and I’ve even brought a few colleagues from the university so you’ll be seeing my two worlds collide as well! See you soon!” Waving at the camera, you cut the video. With all thumbs up from your team, you uploaded it to your team Instagram, views piling in almost immediately.
“Rachel what the hell do you do?!”
“Oh you’ll see soon enough, I don’t want to ruin the surprise now.” You teased, surprisingly enjoying the suspense.
Walking up to the private jet having gone through security with ease, the shock was only increasing, though you everyone was feeling very excited for the flight now they saw the plane. Things were fairly calm after this, the journey quick, smooth and you avoided giving too much away.
Arriving at the hotel you sent everyone off to their rooms, giving timings for meeting the next morning. You would be leaving before them to start greeting the media and doing some press conferences before your track walks, and so had arranged for a few cars to be sent for transferring the rest over to the main hub. Once they were all happy with the plans, not that you’d given many details, merely timings, you could head to your room where Daniel had snuck over waiting to reunite.
He had many complaints about spending the evening having your catch up in a hotel when he had a perfectly good home a few minutes away. At some point during the evening, after the food had been demolished, the words said and a crappy Netflix original on the tv, the two of you had fallen asleep. When you woke a couple of hours later, you were awkwardly hunched on the sofa still, somehow having entangled yourself with Daniels body.
Realising that it was far too late to send Daniel home, you both needed sleep if you were to survive the media day, and you couldn’t send him on his way in the small hours of the morning. Trying not to wake him too harshly, you start untangling yourself from the mess of legs. With Daniel starting to stir, you grab his hand, wordlessly pulling him from the sofa, over to the hotel bed.
Still in the silence the middle of the night brings, Daniel shed the majority of his clothing, slipping under the covers in only his underwear, with you following soon after as you quickly change into your sleepwear.
For something so foreign in your friendship, the ease and comfort at which you snuggled together, falling asleep again under the covers, was almost unnerving. Almost. In your sleepy state, you couldn’t recognise that, only time would reveal that.
--
Having snuck off to begin your media day trackside, you were eager to see your lab colleague's reaction to where they were. It was as you were heading back into McLarens hospitality that you, as well as the whole group, could see the full magnitude of this job and how it differed to the Rachel they were used to seeing in the office.
“You’re a driver?” Shock? Disbelief? You couldn’t quite tell but the reaction was
“Yes”
“What the fuck? But you’re in the lab like 10 hours a day”
“Now you know why I don’t have time to get things done otherwise in my three-day weeks.”
Once the shock wore off, the excitement and initial questions had settled, you set the group up with timings for the day and let them wander round the paddock freely as you headed back to your meetings, promising to see them during the lunch break.
Having your worlds united felt good. It felt as though some of the pressure you hadn’t realised was there from keeping them separate, was melting away. Although the feeling that was beginning to bubble away every time you bumped into Daniel was very close to being a distraction.
You needed to drive; just get in the car and block everything else out.
#studentville-struggles#rachel tries to write#a double life#dr3#daniel ricciardo#daniel ricciardo imagine#daniel ricciardo fic#daniel ricciardo x reader
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Red Bull face incredible 5m entry fee for 2023 season after title win | 2023 F1 season
Red Bull’s entry fee for the 2023 F1 season is almost as high as the team’s fine for breaching the cost cap earlier this year.
Formula 1 team’s entry fees are calculated based on the number of points they scored in the constructors’ championship. Red Bull’s haul of 759 points means they face a bill of $6,242,636 (£5.05 million) to enter the 2023 season.
“I didn’t realise how much we had to pay the FIA for the points,” team principal Christian Horner laughed during the FIA Gala last week. “I got the bill the other day, it was incredible.”
Red Bull were fined $7 million by the FIA in October for breaching the budget cap during 2021. Such fines, as well as entry fees, are not among the items of expenditure which are covered by the cap.
The FIA will earn a total of $21.6m (£17.6m) from the 10 teams’ entry fees. However while the cost teams pay per point has risen and the total points awarded has increased, five teams whose points hauls fell this year will pay less than they did 12 months ago.
Deposed champions Mercedes see their bill fall by over $1m to $3.7m. That’s twice as much as McLaren and AlphaTauri have registered, their totals falling by more than half a million dollars each.
Ferrari was the only team to see their fee rise by anything like as much as Red Bull’s $2.2m hike. Their climb to second place in the championship sees their entry fee for next year rise by $1.5m to $4m.
F1 teams’ 2023 season entry fees
Team
2022 points
2023 fee
2021 points
2022 fee
Difference
Red Bull
759
$6,242,636
585.5
$3,952,728
$2,289,908
Ferrari
554
$4,038,083
323.5
$2,440,988
$1,597,095
Mercedes
515
$3,797,297
613.5
$4,822,916
-$1,025,619
Alpine
173
$1,685,789
155
$1,471,628
$214,161
McLaren
159
$1,599,353
275
$2,164,028
-$564,675
Alfa Romeo
55
$957,257
13
$652,288
$304,969
Aston Martin
55
$957,257
77
$1,021,568
-$64,311
Haas
37
$846,125
0
$577,278
$268,847
AlphaTauri
35
$833,777
142
$1,396,618
-$562,841
Williams
8
$667,079
23
$709,988
-$42,909
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#F1#Red Bull face “incredible” £5m entry fee for 2023 season after title win | 2023 F1 season#Formula 1
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