Throughout the next month or so, Jaehee and Hyewon went back to South Korea to continue their career there whilst you stayed in Britain near the McLaren Technology Centre so you could continue developing your Formula 1 career. Despite the separation and being 5525 miles apart, the three of you still kept in touch. More with Hyewon than with Jaehee, because you found it easier to talk with Hyewon compared to with Jaehee. Due to their schedules, the girls actually missed the second and third round of the championship in Saudi Arabia and Australia respectively, but that didn't really bother you anyways. However, you were excited for the fourth race of the season in Imola.
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, this was a race you really looked forward to. The team has brought upgrades for the car that would improve on the woeful start to the season that yourself and Lando had for the first three rounds. Most importantly, Jaehee and Hyewon will be attending this race because they have a break between their schedules. You were desperate to impress them and put on a good show for the two very special guest you have with you in the paddock this weekend. Especially with a much better car under your disposal.
Qualifying
It was one of the sprint race weekends this race, therefore qualifying was actually on a Friday. This means that there was only one practice session before the cars need to go on Parc Ferme, which was why a lot of the other drivers didn't managed to get the set up correct for the qualifying. You entered Q3 without any problem, and somehow managed to put your car third on the grid.
"So that's P3 mate, good job" your engineer Jason Prior told you your final qualifying position over the team radio.
"Yep, car felt great. Let's get them points tomorrow" you responded, very happy about your qualifying position.
Sprint Race
"It's lights out and away we go for the sprint and Charles Leclerc gets a very good start indeed, Verstappen's been caught napping maybe, Perez making ground up early as Leclerc takes the lead of the sprint. It's Leclerc with Magnussen on the grass, Verstappen second then comes Y/N as they file through Tamburello"
Despite a good start and staying in third after the start phase of the race, keeping the Red Bull of Sergio Perez and Ferrari of Carlos Sainz is always difficult. At the end of the sprint race you finished fifth which wasn't too bad given the situation you were in. It was some good points and a good starting position for tomorrow's main race.
Lap 1
"It's lights out and away we go and unlike yesterday Verstappen gets away well this time as does Sergio Perez. Leclerc little slower getting off the line and he's already been passed by Sergio Perez, Verstappen leads ahead into the first corner of Perez and on the inside......"
The track was damp as the race started and because you were starting 5th on the grid, the cleaner line on the track you managed to get away well. Taking advantage of Charles Leclerc's poor start, you managed to pull up side by side heading into the Tamburello chicane. It was a game of chicken of who brakes later and into turn one, you claimed the inside line. Charles Leclerc could do absolutely nothing but to give up that position.
"...... on the inside Y/N gets third place ahead of Charles Leclerc, bad start from him"
Lap 8
You know it was never going to be easy keeping Charles Leclerc behind, especially when he is in the Ferrari which is a much quicker car compared to yours. However, you tried your best to keep him behind, in these conditions and without DRS all Charles Leclerc could do was sit behind you and watch your rear wing. Or that was so you thought. You kept him behind for as long as you can, but it the Ferrari was just too quick. The Ferrari pulled alongside you on the main straight and was already half a car length ahead as you both braked for the Tamburello chicane. It was a fight not really worth fighting.
"So Y/N, can he defend against Charles Leclerc? He's done a very nice job of it so far, Leclerc looks an awful lot closer this time and under braking Charles Leclerc goes for it into the chicane, that'll please the Tifosi and you can hear the cheers all the way from Maranello 56 miles away"
Lap 20
Once Charles Leclerc has passed you, you were just sat in 4th position in a bit of a lonely race. The next exciting thing that would happen to you is when you switch to the slick tyres. With the rain easing up, it would be very soon. You were 8 seconds behind Charles Leclerc and 4 seconds in front of George Russell, in order to not lose any time on switching to the slicks, you will have to make sure to get the switch absolutely correct.
"And Y/N weather update for you, there's possibly some light class 0 to 1 rain within the next 30 minutes, it might push people to try and extend this" your engineer Jason Prior told you giving you a weather update.
"It's getting dry now, get the slicks ready" was your response the the changing weather.
You wanted to see if you could gain some time on this changeable conditions and close the gap to Charles Leclerc by pitting for the slicks a little bit earlier. However, Charles Leclerc had the same idea as you and both of you went into the pits on the same lap. No time gained and no time lost in that case.
Lap 53
It was a very boring race, nothing has happened at all. You were just doing your own race, holding out fourth position. Charles Leclerc was too far up ahead for you to catch and George Russell was not gaining on you at all from behind. It was looking like a race which you would finish fourth, which you didn't mind at all because this would be your best Formula 1 finish ever.
Because of the boring nature of your race, you started to switch off a little bit, saving the tyres, fuel and engine. Until something in front of you happened.
"Wooo oohhhhh as Charles Leclerc goes into the barrier at the Variante Alta, now he's kept the car going, he's kept everything running. One Ferrari already out and the other Ferrari potentially out, cause I think he got damage to his front wing"
"Yellows yellows, 14 15. Watch out" your engineer Jason Prior passed some random information to you about what was happening in front.
"Copy, who's off?" you questioned.
"Leclerc's off, looks like front wing damage. He might have to pit for a new one, just stay away from the sausage kerb on 14" Jason Prior reminded you as he updated the situation for you.
With Leclerc pitting for a new front wing, you were now sat in third position. A podium position heading into the final 10 laps of the race.......
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Fanfic[ON HIATUS] When IST Entertainment partnered with McLaren Racing, their young superstar Y/N was kind enough to welcome his bias Lee Jaehee to the team with love letter saying his true feelings for Jaehee. However, when the letter was delivered to th...
