love at first sight?

thunder storm

*Ivy*

Today is qualifying. I'm watching from the paddock club with Isa, Kika and Elena. Lily who is Alex's girlfriend will join us later too. I haven't met her really yet but Kika invited her and said she would fit perfectly into our group. There is a big screen where we can see everything that happens on the track. In a few seconds Q1 will start. I know Charles is nervous. It's always exciting for him to race in Monza of in Italy in general because it's Ferrari's hometown.

"I'm so nervous guys", Elena says starring at the screen as it shows Lando getting into his car. "As if he's getting pole", Isa laughs looking at me. I try to hold back my laughter. "Hey, don't be rude", Elena says but smiles. We all know that McLaren didn't show the best performance yet and it is more than impossible for them to get pole position. "The Ferrari guys have some real chances though", Kika steps into our conversation. I know she's right. Ferrari showed some good performances in the last races. With some podiums they are second in the constructors championship behind Red Bull and Charles fights with Max for the championship. "It's starting guys", Elena says excitedly and makes us all look at the screen. I can't believe I got her so excited about this sport.

Qualifying starts and all the drivers start doing laps. There's a lot of tension in the air. Not a bad one though. We're just all very focused on our boyfriends and always a little scared they might crash into the barriers. Charles tried to do as much as possible, I know that. Right now he places third behind Verstappen and Perez. It's quite well known that Red Bull has the fastest car. However, Charles' car is competitive too. Im having my fingers crossed the whole time almost breaking my thumbs. Only one minute left in Q1, Charles drives into the garage again after doing an i credible lap which places him first. When the last car drives over the finish line a certain Max Verstappen appears above him in the table with a better time which places Charles second. It's not a big deal because only Q3 will be important for the real placing. Lando doesn't make it to Q2 unfortunately followed by his team mate Oscar Piastri. It's another bad day for McLaren. Elena's face says it all. "I'll go support him", she says and gets up after seeing how disappointed Lando looked on the screen. "Sure, maybe we should all go down to the garages", Kika proposes. Pierre made it to Q2 but he seems to have some issue with his car. "Yeah, let's support them", I say and Isa and I get up at the same time. The four of us part our ways and leave into the garages. Isa and I obviously take the same way. "They are doing good today", she says as we enter the garage. "I know, but look at all the Tifosi out there", I agree pointing at the Ferrari fans in the grand stands. Charles and Carlos sit in their cars while waiting for Q2 to starts. Isa leaves for Carlos and I make my way to the car with number 16 a grin on my face. Charles waves at me as he sees me. I must say he looks quite funny when he's tiring there with his helmet and  his visor up so that you can only see his eyes. "Good luck", I say and bend down a little so that he can hear me. He winks at me and I knock in his helmet before I put on headphones. The helmet knocking has gotten to a tradition. I know he's focused on getting the best out of the car when he's in it so I don't really disturb him by taking to him. Just a "good luck" and a knock on the helmet. He usually winks at me and squeezes my hand as a gesture of saying "I love you". He's told me that many times because he was scared I wouldn't understand it.

Q2 starts and Charles and Carlos drive out of the garage. Isa sits down next to me, squeezing my hand shortly. This has gotten a tradition too. We do it before every qualifying session and race when it's really important for our boyfriends to show off their skills. It should mean that we're hoping nothing will happen to them. I'm
glad I don't sit here alone all the time. In my mind I'm freaking out every time Charles slips or even slightly brushes the wall. So I'm happy I have Isa with me so that we can freak out together. Even though she's more used to this stress than I am. Her and Carlos have been together for like 7 years I think. I think that's impressive.