Loyalties Change (Sergio Perez X OC)

A shift in loyalties

You are getting the car ready for the Abu Dhabi race. There is an excited buzz flowing through your small team of mechanics. You are not feeling it because it is the last race. You have decided to triple check everything. Something tells you that something is going to go wrong but you don't know what it is.

"Hey, Casey is the car ready?" Sergio Perez remarks.

"Yes, but I'll have to keep an eye on the oil lines. They may give you some trouble," You reply. You get the feeling that your report is foreshadowing a bigger issue.

"Thank you," Sergio gives you the customary thank you as he pulls his balaclava over his head. It doesn't take Sergio long to finish getting ready. You help him into the car. You quickly check the safety harness. Sergio sends you off with a thumbs up. You get your team out of the way for the rollout. After five minutes of waiting the race has started and you have taken your spot between Lance Stroll's Mechanic and the team principal.

"Hey, Marc you had a look at Sergio's car before I did right?" You decide to see if the fuel lines will be an issue.

"Yeah, I did why?" Lance's Mechanic replies.

"I'm just a little worried about the oil line pressure," you explain.

"Checo will be fine," Marc tries to calm you down. You find yourself watching the data quite closely. It doesn't take long for the issue to arise. You glance over at the race principal. You can tell that he is praying for a miracle.

"I'm sorry but the engine is dead," comes the announcement from Sergio. You can tell that he feels defeated after his last to first victory at Sakhir. You inform the race principal of your concern about the oil pressure. It doesn't take long for Sergio to return to the garage. You brace yourself for Sergio's wrath. It doesn't take long for Sergio to make it to the garage. He places his helmet on one of the spare workstations.

"Casey why on earth did you let me race?" Sergio vents his frustration.

"Because both Marc and I didn't think it would be an issue but we were wrong," You respond. At least it doesn't take long for Sergio to calm down.

"Sorry for getting angry at you," Sergio gives you the routine apology.

"This time I actually should have tried to fix the car before the race," The good thing about being a loyal Mechanic is that you can tell when you should let the driver cool off or when you should rise to the occasion. As soon as the car arrives you get to work on diagnosing the issue. Like Sergio, you are frustrated because you can't find the issue. You release a frustrated groan as you pull yourself from the car. It looks like you may be pulling an all-nighter to fix the car.

"You know you should work on the car tomorrow," Sergio snaps you out of your thoughts.

"Sorry, Sergio but I've been given a problem to fix so I'm going to fix it," You respond. It has been a month since the race at Abu Dhabi and Sergio has taken you to a nice cafe. You are a little nervous because you get the feeling that it may have to do with Sergio's contract with Red Bull. Hopefully, he doesn't notice you fidgeting.

"I know it is asking a lot but I need you to join me at Red Bull," Sergio announces. As soon as he speaks his mind you are torn by loyalty. You know you could do with a change but at the same time, you know you are one of Racing Point's best Mechanics. You are quick to make up your mind but you know you will regret the decision later.

"I'll join you on the condition that I will be your lead Mechanic," You respond.

"I've already got that part sorted because I knew you were going to say that," Sergio says. You find yourself giggling at the fact that Sergio may know you a little too well. It has been a couple of weeks since You joined Sergio at Red Bull and you are a little nervous about the first full team meeting. The only people to beat you and Sergio are Max Verstappen and his Mechanic.

"So you must be Casey," She greets you.

"Yes, and you must be Ari," You reply. You find it odd that the two of you hadn't met before the meeting. The good thing about being early is the fact that you have the chance to socialise. Ari seems like a good person. The rest of the team files in. The race principal makes his way to the front of the small crowd.

"First thing's first I want to introduce our new team members, Sergio and Casey," He gets to work on making you feel welcome. It doesn't take long for the topic to change to the pre-season testing. The good thing is there is not much you and Ari have to do until the first test drive. The meeting soon comes to an end and you are glad. You are wandering through the halls of the Red Bull factory to get to the cars. You are thinking about what you could do to improve the car once you get a good look at it.

"Casey," Your thoughts are interrupted by Ari.

"Yes, Ari?" You respond. You are a little confused by the abruptness of her snapping you out of your thoughts.

"Let me show you to the cars," She replies. You can tell that she really wants to make you feel welcome. It doesn't take long for the two of you to make it to the cars. You are soon joined by the drivers and a couple of the engineers. You assist Sergio into the car. Ari does the same for Max. It feels odd getting a Red Bull car ready for Sergio.

"Hey, Casey you don't have to worry," Sergio tries to make you feel better about joining him at Red Bull.

"I know. It just feels odd not working on a Racing Point car," You respond as you and the engineer get to work on making sure that Sergio fits snuggly in the cockpit.

"I think you might want to make it to remove some of the wriggle room around the hips," Sergio gives you the first suggestion. The good thing is there are not many changes that need to be made. After thirty minutes of making sure the car is ready, you have made it to the cafeteria to get some food. You grab a small snack and you find a seat by yourself.

"I feel like I've made you feel uncomfortable," Sergio snaps you out of your thoughts.

"No, you haven't Sergio. I just haven't passed the adjustment period," You retort. You get the feeling that it will take you a while to adjust. The good thing is Sergio will be in the same boat as you.

"That's true," Sergio responds. The good thing about working with someone like Sergio is the fact that he can make anyone relax. The thought makes you smile.