Despacito • Marcus Armstrong

Chip off the old block

Tita was in a room, besides Marcus, watching through the TV the three drivers from F3 stepping onto the podium. She was familiar with Oscar Piastri and Logan Sargeant, racing for PREMA; also, Piastri was most likely to take Mick's place at the team in F2. However, she didn't know Pourchaire that well, only that he was probably to replace Marcus at ART, with his allegedly shift to DAMS. Tita hadn't talked to Marcus about that, but she was curious to know everything about it.

- Last year was me, there, at Théo's place. - Marcus whispered in her ear since the room was filled with people - He's taking my place now, and he'll take my place next year.

- Yeah, I was about to ask you about that.

- I'll tell you all about it, once this is finished - he said, seeing the F3 guys leaving the podium.

Everyone at the room, from drivers to mechanics, clapped when each one of the drivers made their way to the podium. But Mick was, of course, the spotlight. Chip off the old block. The name Schumacher in the grid again brought so many memories to everyone.

After the prize-giving ceremony, Tita and Marcus left the room to talk with more privacy. While taking a walk, the driver told her about his shift to DAMS and how it could be a good thing for him. He was going to test the car in the next week, which was a benefit. He wasn't so excited about his teammate, Ticktum, but he had to stick with him for a season, and he was going to make an effort to get along with Dan.

- And I would love to explain to you all the details, but you'll have to wait. The race is about to start - Marcus led them back to the room - I'm supposed to watch the race with ART, but I'll try to be here with you, just give me a minute.

Tita decided to wait outside the room; she didn't want to enter and have everyone looking at her, walking in alone. When she was waiting, a girl making her way to the room approached her.

- Hey, you are Tita, right? - the Spanish was about to raise some questions - I'm Toni, Ilott's girlfriend.

- Oh, sorry, hi, yes, I am.

- Are you going to watch the F1 race alone? It's something I'm used to already. In fact, when you come to a GP, you actually only get a chance to see the boys at the track - she laughed

- Actually, I'm waiting for Marcus, he said he was trying to watch the race with me.

- Alright, but if you still need company, I'll be in there with some girls.

- Ok, thank you, Toni!

However, she didn't get to spend time with the girls, since Marcus had convinced his team to see the race with his "fresh" girlfriend. They sat on a sofa, close to each other, and the only distance between them was due to the masks.
The race was a mess from the beginning, with Charles and Max crashing at first lap. Everyone at the room yelled, some blaming the Ferrari driver, others the Red Bull driver. Marcus noticed the girl beside him was a bit sense and held her hand. She was more relaxed but at the end of the race was nowhere near happy, still think about the crash.

- It happens - Marus told her - Of course Charles needed to end this race, especially since he was starting P4, but there's nothing to do about it.

- Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just easier when you are kilometres away and not right beside it.