You forever ClxMv Lestappen

Austria 2019

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Max for the most part had come to accept who he was. It was rare now he cried or cut himself because of his sexuality. He had decided to not let his sexuality define him. He was a racing driver and at the end of the day liking a man wasn't slowing him down.

He was dating a girl now. A Brazilian model named Kelly piquet, also from a racing family. Of course they only really lived together and the arrangement worked well for both of them. Kelly got the brand deals, publicity and Instagram followers she had always wanted while Max looked like a normal straight guy. Max had been so worried that he had gotten a solicitor to draw up a formal contract for them both.

Max had only briefly talked to Charles since he had joined the F1 grid. After all they weren't friends or anything and Charles was at the other end of the grid. Of course he was now much closer in the Ferrari but they hadn't fought it out on track yet. Even then what would be different, they had done the same thing hundreds of times on karting tracks around Europe.

Max had drove well in quali and had qualified p2 just behind Charles. He knew that he should have race pace today because that's what they had set the car up for. He knew it wouldn't be easily to pass the monster of a Ferrari engine on the straight but anyway.

*Race day - The starting grid *

The lights went out and Max begun the formation lap. Making sure his tyres were up to temperature while also keeping a close eye on what the Ferrari ahead was doing to see if there was any advantage to be gained if Charles failed to properly heat up his tyres.

Max arrived on his grid slot and did his standard pre race procedure. Look straight ahead, take 3 deep breaths in and out. Then close his eyes until Gp would say the words "last car approaching the gird". In this moment he was no longer the scared boy from the Monaco hotel room but a lion ready to hunt his prey.

5 LIGHTS AND AWAY WE GO
The start was shit, If there was one race he needed a good start it was now but Max had messed it up. He very quickly composed himself to ensure he didn't hurt anybody as he still often drove on his emotions.

68/71 laps

He had truely been the Dutch lion this race. Hunting his prey relentlessly. Passing anyone who got in his way. One by one the fell behind. His teammate Gasly, Both Mercedes, Sebastian. Now there was only one person ahead. It was him. The boy who he had last seen while in a puddle. Max had Drs and he tried his move. Charles saw it coming tho and left plenty of space to get a better exit and repass Max. Now Max was fuming with rage. This was his home race, His to win. He was not going to let this guy take it from him. Max nailed the braking zone at T1 and almost instantly hit the overtake button. Charles moved to the middle of the straight but Max braked late and went down the inside. He waited and turned in late. Pushing Charles slightly off track but he didn't care , it was fair but hard. He had won and he screamed down the radio to his team.

Charles was less than impressed and had been shouting on his radio about the move for the remainder of the race. Anyway it was still p2 and a good result for the team. He was angry that it had to be to Max but still.

Max and Charles celebrated on the podium and then almost in a repeat of many years ago had cameras stuck in their face. They both gave normal pr answers and left it at that.

Max was looking forward to the coming evening as there would almost certainly be a big party with him at the center.