𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄, o. piastri

viiii. the bahrain grand prix

4th march 2023, evening
sakhir, bahrain

qualifying had been... terrible. the papaya car was definitely among the slowest cars on the grid. oscar had qualified P18, getting kicked out in Q1.

olivia had frowned when she saw her best friend step out of his car and pull of his helmet and balaclava. she leaned against the wall of the garage as he spoke to his race engineer.

when oscar's eyes landed on olivia his body seemed to relax, like a weight had lifted off him and every worry of his had faded away.

olivia waited for him to approach her. while she wanted nothing more than to tackle him in a hug, she didn't want to overwhelm the aussie. oscar walked over to the girl, she pushed herself off the wall. the pair had maintained eye contact the whole time.

his arms opened and olivia took it as her cue, she crashed into his chest. oscar rested his cheek on the short girl's head as he wrapped his arms around her torso. olivia didn't mind the the boy was all sweaty, she just wanted to hold and comfort him after his not so ideal first qualifying.

5th march 2023, evening
sakhir, bahrain

"oscar?" olivia called through the small crack in the door of his driver room. the door swung open and the australian driver smiled down at the argentinian girl.

"how are you feeling today, mano?" olivia hadn't seen her best friend all day.

"good." he nodded, inviting her in, "not where i wanted to start on the grid but i'll try to make up whatever positions i can."

olivia snorted, "that was the most pr answer you've ever given me."

oscar gave her a nervous grin, "sorry, it's what i've been saying to all the reporters."

olivia nodded, tilting her head and giving the mclaren driver a reassuring smile, "well, i believe in you no matter what. you're in formula 1 because you're a great driver, don't forget that."

oscar nodded just as a knock on the door told the pair that it was time to go. olivia gave the aussie one last quick hug before rushing off to go get comfortable before the race start.

dnf.

olivia sighed, sad, as she saw oscar bring his car into the pits. it was only lap 16 and the rookie was already out of the race.

just like the day before, olivia leaned against the wall watching oscar, frustrated and disappointed, talk to the team. when his eyes spotted her in his peripheral vision he gave her a tight lipped smile to which she frowned and waved.

"i've got some interviews to do but i'll see you in my driver room." oscar approached olivia, his hand gently holding her waist as he leaned to her ear. olivia nodded pulling him down by his neck into a quick hug before he walked off behind his pr manager.

it wasn't long before the australian driver entered his driver room. immediately falling onto the small couch in the room, beside olivia.

"how're we feeling?" she asked, turning her body to face him. oscar's head tilted back so he looked at the ceiling, his race suit tied around his waist exposing his black fireproofs underneath.

"like shit." the room went silent before oscar spoke again, "was this a bad idea?"

olivia was confused by the question, "was what a bad idea?"

"mclaren... and taking a year away from driving..."

the brunette girl frowned, poking her best friend to gain his attention. "no. don't say that. you're living your dream, in a legendary team. this is one hiccup and it's only the start of the season. the oscar piastri i know doesn't give up this quickly."