F1 One Shots

#130 Checo - Austin

It was written after US GP in 2021 ;-)

MARISOL POV.: This weekend in Austin is looking very promising... And after 1 and 3 in Turkey, the team is more happy and eager to race this weekend, to hopefully, do it again.
We even had the pace for pole, but at the end, Sergio managed to lock 3rd place on the grid, with Lewis on 2nd and Max on pole. It's nice...
Today is race day, and it's VERY HOT outside, so I can't even imagine, how bad it is for the drivers in the cars...?!
In the morning we had a few PR duties and then Checo streached with Jo, to be fit and ready for the race, even though both him and Max are not really well... Since yesterday, after Quali, they're sweaty and Max probably has food poisoning, so this race will be hard...
-Hey, how do you feel?- I asked both boys, when I came to them in the garage -You OK Max?- I eyed Verstappen carefully.
-Yeah we're fine, don't worry about it Sol- Checo smiled at me and wrapped one of his arms around me, to press short kiss to my temple.
-I'm glad to hear it..- I exchaled loudly and smiled, melting into Checo's side.
We talked for a bit, and they drank as much water as possible, and still not to feel like they need to go to the toilet during the upcoming race.
Before we knew it, they were needed in the cars, to drive them to the grid, so I kissed my boyfriend sweetly and then we did our little "superstition routine". I hoped that we'll get a nice result... The pace is definitely there, we just need to fully focus and have a little of luck...

....
Soon after that the race started, and I held my fists tightly, carefully watching with Jo, Brad and Kenzie how the boys were doing. But little disaster struck almost right from the start, as Checo said over the radio that his drinking system is wrongly connected and whole drink poured all over him!!
-Oh no!- we all whined in dissapointment. It really complicated things, as Checo was currently trying to catch up to Lewis in front of him and overtake him for 2nd place, as Max was trying to escape from Hamilton as much as possible. It was going to be tough race...
Lap after lap Checo was doing amazing job, pushing Hamilton more and more, but then we saw a drop from his pace. It wasn't weird, as he didn't have any drink and it was almost 50 degrees hot! For us it was around 32*C, but in the car was definitely warmer...
-Vamos Cariño! You can do it!- I mumbled under breath, with my gaze not leaving the big screens in front of us. I knew just like the team, how much that podium means to Checo, and I dearly wanted him to score it... It's not other win, but also good points and another trophy to his collection, so all of that on the bright side... But at the same time I knew, how much he's struggling there... I just wanted for this race to be over already...!?

....
After a hell of the race, top 3 was as followed: Max, Lewis and Sergio. We all were proud of him..! He managed to get that P3 even in such a state...! When I could, I quickly took Jo with me, and made my way over to the garage under the podium, to meet Checo. My baby was barerly standing on his feet, that much exhausted and dizzy he was!
-Sergio!- I called him, and then gave him a strong hug, feeling how he transferred half of his weight on me, to rest a little.
-I'm so proud of you! P3 in those conditions, without a drink! Marvellous job Cariño!- I told him and pressed sweet kiss on his sweaty cheek.
-Here you go mate! Amazing job!- Jo added, and gave him the biggest water bottle he could possibly find.
-Thanks- Checo blured out and already started to drink cold water with electroids.
-Sit down, I'm going to get you a cold towel..- I told him, and sat him down on one of the large boxes. Then I quickly fetched for him two wet, almost dripping towels and 2 cans of Red Bull. I didn't liked it, but he needed to recover quickly for podium ceremony and those post-race interviews we're supposed to do later...
I kneeled in front of him, and placed one of the towels on his neck gently.
-How are you feeling?
-Tired... But not so dizzy anymore...
-That's good... Here, drink it- I agreed and passed him opened can of Red Bull. Checo just smiled in exaustion and drank almost whole can on one go. He really was drink-deprivated...
After a moment to cool down, Checo got congratulations and words of praise from some of the drivers, including happy and concerned Max, who stopped next to us for a minute, Lewis and even Sebastian Vettel, who wanted to kindly check how he's doing. That was really sweet...
After one water-bottle and 3 cans of Red Bull, Checo needed to go to the podium with Max.
-Keep an eye on him, please..- I looked at Verstappen.
-Sure- he agreed, tired as hell himself. Everyone on the team knew, how much of a hell drive was that for both of them...

...
Soon after that, we watched the podium ceremony and cheered for both of them. Everyone saw how exhausted they all are, but still celebrate good results. We just needed also go over the interviews, and finally, time to rest...
During the interviews, Checo drank 2 more bottles and at least 3 cans of Red Bull, as journalists asked him about the race, and how the hell he managed to get that P3 without a single sip of the drink. Nobody knew that, even Sergio... He looked tired, but also happy, so it made me happy too. As always I recorded the interviews, but my gaze was fully focused on Checo. What can I say, I was worried!?

After long hours at the track, we finally came back to the hotel. Christian decided to do the debrief when we'll be back in Milton Keynes the next day, and allow the boys to rest. They really needed it, as Max was still sick, and Checo was really tired. They deserve some rest like no one else today...
When we locked ourselves in hotel room, we just took refreshing shower and changed damp clothes to something fresh and comfy. Then Checo crashed down on the bed with deep sigh.
-I just need to sleep...- he mumbled and yawned tiredly.
-I know mi Amor, but you still need to eat dinner. I can't have you go to sleep with empty stomach like that...!- I disagreed, as I sat down on the bed next to his head and started runnning my hand softly through his hair.
-Right...- he agreed after a minute, and wanted to sit up, but I stopped him.
-Lay down.. I ordered room service, and it should be here any minute now.. Until then, rest...
-Ok..
After healthy and light dinner, we lied down on the bed, and Sergio pulled me close to his chest.
-Te quiero, sabes?
-Si, Amor.. Te quiero tanto..- I said back and pressed kiss to his collarbone, drawing a deep sigh of content from him.
-You really outperformed yourself today... Christian couldn't shut up about what you did...- only thing what I got from him was a mumble. It made me chuckle, and then I kissed his forehead lovingly.
-Sleep well mi Amor... You need it..- I whispered, and then went to sleep myself. It was indeed hard and intense race weekend, but the tripple header is not done yet, so we need to recover strenght for next week... Let's hope for the result like that in Mexico again... But maybe not with so much struggle..!?
THE END

Tiring wekend for Checo, but definitely good one...
Let's hope for more good results like that this season... Especially after that 2nd in Saudi...
Have a nice day! / Goodnight!
F.