Way to the Glory [Max Verstappen]

Chapter 38 - Racing or Jealousy

TW:  swearwords and violence 

Flashback (13 years ago [age 11] 02.05.2010)

"Angelica Lucia Leclerc come back now!" Maman called when she saw me driving around with Charles' kart.

Since I was about four years old I loved doing sports. I tried a lot different ones already, it began with karting like my brothers, who I really loved. Many people told me that they saw talent in me, but unfortunately it got too expensive. So Lorenzo and I stopped, in order that Charles and Arthur can keep going fulfilling their dreams. After that I tried tennis for some time, which was also really fun, but I quit it two years ago. Also I played Volleyball, but decided to just do it as a hobby not professional. 

At the ago of five I first started climbing and fell completely in love with the sport. My parents then got me a trainer, he was and still is stunned about my progress. Now that I am eleven years old I am training several times a week and still love this sport. I won several junior titles in France, since Monaco isn't really known for rock climbing. Everything in this sport attracted me, the height, the adrenaline flowing through my body or finding solutions for a boulder problem. 

Now back to the presence, I kind of stole Charles kart and now drove away, while Papa, Lorenzo, Jules and Maman chased after me. Charles just stood there in the corner and pouted, because I had stuck a unicorn sticker on his kart. Then there were Arthur and Pierre, who are watching this scene amused and giggled at the expression of Charlie. 

After another five minutes they sadly caught me and my parents looked at me sternly, but also held back their laughter. They often call me trouble, since in our family I was mostly the one who caused trouble. I am always the one who comes home with scraped knees and other injuries or I am causing situations like this kart scene. Still they love me no matter what I would do they are proud of me. 

The next day, when I woke up, I had a slight headache, but it could be worse. The worse thing is the first memory of yesterday's evening, I have a bet going on with none other than Max Verstappen. If he wins we are having a date together, a freaking date. How should I explain that to Charles? I pushed that thought away for now praying that someone else would win, especially since Max is just starting from the third place. But Max is indeed unstoppable and I am sure this bet just gave him another reason to win today. Probably Ferrari is also going to fuck up the strategy or something else, making it even easier for Max

It has been so hot all weekend, but today it was even more extreme. There was stifling heat, which meant that tire degradation was also going to be quite high. That again means tire strategy is important and everyone knows strategy isn't exactly the strength of Ferrari. Charles was already a bit tense about the race, but it's more contained than usual. It's probably really because he has built up more self-confidence thanks to the win in Monaco.

Anyway, the formation lap was just now, and slowly all drivers arrived again. Charles at the front, behind him Sergio, Max and Carlos. After the last driver arrived, there was the green flag and the lights all went red, one after the other, only to go out abruptly.

Quickly the cars accelerated away. Charles had a good start and was able to defend his position against Checo. There was some scuffling between Carlos and Max on the other hand, they entered the corner together side by side, with Max on the inside. There was almost a contact between the two, but in the end Carlos was able to avoid it. Quickly the Red Bull accelerated away when they were on the straight and left the Ferrari behind.

Next round on the straight Carlos DRS was already enabled and so the Ferrari literally sucked up to Max's car. Shortly before the turn, Carlos was able to overtake. But whether you can call that overtaking is another question. He grazed the car of Max and almost caused a major collision between the two. Fortunately, he then "only" touched the dark blue car and left a slight damage to the Red Bull.