NIGHT CHANGES || Oscar Piastri

Nearing

The end of the 2023 season was approaching. 

Although the nice results for the races, Oscar hadn't had a very nice season with McLaren. But he did manage to get a one-two at the British Grand Prix, Lando winning his first ever official race in Formula 1 and Oscar getting his first ever podium. I loved his reaction as his the chequered flag had been waved. His voice over the radio was quite excited and emotional, him tearing up slightly as he returned to the garage. "I did it, guys! I did it!"

The Abu Dhabi race was still the same as last year. This time, Mum, Dad, Oliver, Flo and Cisca all came to watch Lando race. All of us stood by Lando, who was nervously discussing the tactics with Zak. Flo nibbled on her fingers anxiously as Cisca kept taking secret glances at Charles, who awkwardly winked back at her. Mum and Dad were stood right next to Zak and Lando, listening to their conversation while Oliver stared at the crew which didn't pay any attention to him.

I waited for Oscar to appear at the right time. It was boring, not getting him much over the few days with his pre-race prep getting in the way. My impatient was noticed by Cisca, who whispered something to Flo and quickly skipped over to the Ferrari garage, covering her McLaren shirt with her hoodie. Oliver smirked and chuckled. Then after a few minutes, we heard Charles' laughs.

"You okay, Ali?" Flo's words woke me up from my thoughts. I nodded blankly, not realising I kept leaning out to see if Oscar had arrived the last few minutes. "You seem to be waiting for someone that you obviously want to see."

"Of course," Oliver rolled his eyes. "It's Oscar Jack Piastri, her boyfriend. I'm sure Lando or Mum and Dad won't mind you leaving us, go get him. We'll tell them the real reason why you've left so suddenly." I left as quickly as possibly, marching over to Oscar's. He was standing alone, staring at the ground before one of his crew members grinned at me and told him something. 

"Hey, beautiful," Oscar smiled and kissed me on the lips gently. He cupped my face in his hands and placed a kiss on my forehead. I heard Oliver and Cisca's giggles as they stood in front of Oscar's garage. "Um, maybe I should leave you with your family or-"

"It's fine, they're just a bunch of nosy idiots," I grumbled as he chuckled, while Flo stuck her head around as well. Lando joined in, and soon almost the every single one of my Norris sibling had peeked their heads around the corner. "Cunts." He laughed even more, giving me and tight hug before letting me go.

"So I guess you're in Lando's garage for this race," Oscar sighed. "I mean, makes sense, you're his family, his sister-" I shushed him before gripping his hands softly and shaking my head slightly. "No, what?"

"Once you propose to me, I'll be your family as well," I folded my arms across my chest, annoyed. "So if you propose to me soon, I might be able to make adjustments with McLaren and Lando to come over. So make up your mind, Piastri." He nodded and rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed with me instead. "I'm going." 

"So, you guys made out yet?" Oliver grinned as I returned. Mum stared at him, horrified as Dad and Lando burst out laughing. 

Flo and Cisca giggled and glanced back at their phones. Cisca was red, and I suspected it had something to do with Charles especially. "Chill out, Mum! It's just a question."

"Questions don't mention your little sister having sex!" Mum glared at Oliver. "Good luck, Lando darling!" Lando waved at us before he shut his visor, the crew pushing his car outside, him giving them the usual support. "Oh, I do want him to be a world champion!"

"Trust me, Mum," I comforted her quickly. "Lando's been here for long - he'll know how to win any race!" I thanked one of the crew members as he offered me some headphones to listen to the radios.

~~

The whole team ran out of the garage to hug Oscar and Lando. 

Charles was the World Champion at the end, behind with Lando and Oscar. Everyone screamed in excitement and cheered at the same time. I smiled as I reached over to the edge of the railings, leaning over as Lando ran over to us ever so qucikly, every crew member leaving a space out for us as he was given hugs and pats on his back. Cisca had later disappeared into the crowd, possibly heading over to the Ferrari garage for Charles. 

I hugged Lando tightly as Flo and Oliver cheered loudly for him, for they were just behind some of the pit crew. Mum got really emotional as she smiled and whispered something to Lando, while Dad nodded in agreement. Lando pulled his helmet off, leaning over towards me and motioning for my ear. 

"I think Oscar wants to see you, he told me when we both left our cars," I nodded silently as I glanced over where Oscar was, talking to his parents and passing his fingers through his hair and nodding. He caught my gaze once I turned red once again, as he grinned and pointed towards me. His parents looked over and gave me a nice smile, and Oliver shoved me forward. "Go on! He wants to see you!"

I was pushed in and out of the crowd just to reach Oscar and his parents. "Congrats, Oscar!" I grinned once I got to him, giving him a gentle hug. "Are these your parents?" He gripped my hand softly.

"Yes, that's my Mum Nicole, and that's my Dad Chris," Oscar introduced them with with a hint of nervousness in his voice. "You might have seen my Mum already, she's been to a few races before." 

"Hello, darling," Nicole smiled sweetly at me. "Are you his teammate's sister? Oh, you've been the subject of almost every phone call we have with our son! He's been talking about you almost all day!" 

"Mum!" Oscar complained slightly. "Anyways, you guys get along, I have to get ready to join Lando in the cool down rooms." He gave me a gentle peck on the cheek before heading off to join my brother. I stood there in awkward silence until I felt a pair of hands on my shoulders. It was Oliver and Flo, who'd came to join us. 

"Hey, Mr and Mrs. Piastri," Flo beamed causually as Oliver waved. "I'm Flo and this is Oliver, we have got another sister, but he's currently with Charles Leclerc right now. We're the siblings of your son's girlfriend here." I hid my face, embarrassed. "I think you've not met us before."

"No, but just call me Nicole and my husband, Chris," Nicole smiled at them. "Why don't we join the team for the podium? Charles is in fact heading up to the stage right now." We agreed, joining the rest of the McLaren team. Champagne was immediately sprayed over all of us as the bottles exploded. 

"How was the podium?" I asked on the way back to the hotel. Mum, Dad, Flo and Oliver had taken another car. Cisca followed on with Charles, presumably to close up party nearby the area or hotel. "You looked pretty happy to me."

"Hey, it's an F1 podium, and I was just literally two places away from being the World Champion," The car lurched forwards as we stopped at the red light. "Besides, it's a one-two for McLaren. Another. I really hope I could be World Champion next year to be honest." Silence filled the car while I looked outside the window, the car starting to move again. 

"You can. You will be, I'm telling you," I mumbled. "Look at how nice Abu Dhabi looks after sunset." He nodded, his gaze meeting mine again as the red light had shown. Oscar leaned over and kissed me gently before returning to the steering wheel. "I wonder why you didn't want me to go to the party."

"It's just that..." He sighed as we pulled up to the hotel. "We just spent so little time together when I was still on the races, and I feel like just a short time together is enough for the both of us." I got out of the car, shutting the doors while boarding straight into the lifts. "You know I care about you so much." 

"I know, Oscar," I muttered. "I-I love you too."