Dear Diary

NINETEENTH

~~~~

Rose Ferrari

The lights went out and I didn't want to close my eyes for a second.

Charles could have started from pole position, but perhaps that was worse than second place. Because Max managed to overtake him already in the first corner. The excitement increased and so did my stomach cramps. I anxiously watched my boyfriend drive the red car. The last corner and the huge straight came. Charles was able to start using DRS on lap 5 and overtook the beloved RedBull driver on the next lap. The team clapped and shouted for joy. We didn't feel like premature joy.

We trusted Charles. We trusted ourselves and Charles' knowledge. I was standing in the team's garage the whole time with Andrea Ferrari. And dad was sitting outside at the control wall. We looked at each other for a moment as Charles overtook Max. He smiled and turned back....I managed to hear everything that was in my head with my earpiece. Charles was upset and wanted it to be over as soon as possible.
Then again, nothing is perfect. Nothing in this life. After all, suddenly a car burst into flames. I turned to my cousin in confusion.

-He's not Charles, --he said and grabbing my shoulder.

-Thank God, --I said and started to worry about the pilot who was not Charles.

Much to my chagrin, it was Pierre's car. I clenched my hands and could only worry that he wouldn't be the next one to lose to Charles. Meanwhile, the race was stopped with a red flag, so all cars had to come into the pits. Charles got out of his car and I ran towards him. I kissed him.

-It was Pierre, --I said quietly

-But is he okay?-- he asked

-Yes. He got out of his car.,-- I said and put my head on his chest

-I'm going to talk to the engineers for a bit, --he said and pressed a kiss to my still red cheek.
I went back to the garage and let the Leclerc boy do his thing. I wanted her to be happy and calm at last. That's what we all wanted to be.

-The race is slowly restarting,-- they said through the headphones in my ears.

As a member of the team, I started taking action. I checked that everything was fine with the two cars and the drivers. Carlos was eating a protein bar considering it was already dinner time.
And Charles sat alone in his chair in a smaller and quieter place. I started watching and he was just like a little kid. A small child who is looking for his mother with his teary eyes, but he does not serve her. I didn't want to go to him, rather I wanted to hide. I didn't want to spoil anything, because that's just who I am....

The race started again and I was standing there and getting nervous. Very very... The last lap followed and Charles was leading.

-Charles Leclerc is the first time ever champion of the world in his life in the seat of Ferrari. Charles Leclerc wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and he is a world champion!!, --announces the commentator, but we can all see this already.

-Yes, yes, guys, we did it,-- Leclerc shouts over the radio.
I seriously started crying. Andrea hugged me and I hugged him. It was an amazing moment... It was an amazing moment. Charles got out of his car and immediately the team headed towards me.

-I knew you'd do it! , --I told him encouragingly

-I did it for you Rose! ,-- he said and planted a kiss on my cheek. He walked over to the team and let the mechanics cheer. It was Charles's big day. It's his and no one can take that away from him.