"It will eventually stop hurting".

Miami 🇺🇸

I wouldn't say I felt uneasy but a bit nervous. Miami is a new track and I have no experience here at all. After the mistake in Imola I am confident to do well here. I walk into the paddock on Sunday morning feeling confident as I'm starting on pole with Carlos beside me in P2. We have both Redbulls behind us in P3 and P4. I really hope I can convert this pole into yet another win here in Miami. As we make our way to the grid to do the formation lap I feel the adrenaline start to rise. I settle in the P1 grid position and wait for the red lights to go.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. GO.
I make a great start off my mark ,Carlos likewise. As I look in my mirror I see Max overtake Carlos around the outside moving into P2.
On lap 9 Max manages to pass me on the straight. Damn that Redbull sure is fast on the straight.
——————————————————————————
On lap 41 I hear Xavier on my radio that we have a virtual safety car and it's Lando. I hope he's alright. We restart the race on lap 47 and Max is still ahead of me. I try to chase Max down the straight with DRS but the Redbull is just too fast. Eventually after all the attacking I have attempted have run out as I reach the chequered flag at the end of lap 57.
"And that's P2 Charles. P2. Awesome job. Carlos P3." Xavier says as he speaks through the radio.
"Well done guys. Disappointed it wasn't a win but we got good points today".
I am disappointed. It should have been another win but the Redbull is just too quick, especially on the straights.
———————————————————————————
As I head into the cool down room with Max and Carlos I'm exhausted. It is such a physical and mental race unsurprising. We are watching the replay on the contact between Lando and Pierre. Both having to retire from the race. Poor Lando and Pierre. As Max and Carlos were talking about the race I was suddenly whisked back into my thoughts. And suddenly the thoughts from Imola came back.
💭 Well done Charles you didn't make a mistake but you lost the race win. Again. Why can't you just do something and win for gods sake. Your in a competitive car and should be winning. You can't just keep losing race wins because "Redbull are too fast". 💭
"Charles. Charles? Helloooo"
I was suddenly awoken from my thoughts as I look at Carlos who seemed to have been trying to get my attention.
"You alright mate?"
"Ya I'm fine just spaced out a bit".
He puts an arm around my shoulder and gives me a small smile.
"You did well 'mi amigo'".
"Thanks mate, you too".
"Hey guys"
We both look up to see Max standing there.
"They're ready for the podiums"
"Ok let's go"
We were given NFL helmets to wear onto the podium. They played Max's national anthem the Redbulls. After we happily sprayed the champagne ( all I wanted to do was drink it) and went back to our motor homes.
———————————————————————————I finish all my interviews and team debriefs and thankfully I run into Pierre.
*talking in french*
"Hey Charles"
"Hi Pierre"
"I'm sorry about your race mate"
"It's ok it hurts but hey it's racing"
"Ya"
"Congrats on your podium"
"Thanks"
"Celebrating with Ferrari?"
"No actually I was think of having a quiet night tonight, are you busy now?"
"No I'm not, why?"
"Want to go and get some drinks"?
"Of course!! But only if the first 3 are on you!"
"Ok ok haha"
We both make our way to my hotel and we reach the bar. We order our drinks that I unfortunately had to pay for.
"To a good and bad day"
"To a hopeful next race"
And with that we chugged our drinks and drank the night away.

Hey guys! So that was my second chapter hope you liked it. We are now going to Spain and this is where Charles needs all the comfort and love so I'm excited for these upcoming chapters. Thanks for reading!!