One is the Loneliest Number

Smile and wave

23rd of May, 2023
Monte Carlo, Monaco

Max had just finished packing his last box of stuff, while Kelly looked on, leaning on the wall. After they moved in together in the beginning of the year, Max knew it was an ill-thought decision, as he was already questioning where their relationship was going. However, Kelly was more convincing. Also, she took care of furnishing his flat.

In the aftermath of the leakage of Max's and Charles' video, Kelly was furious. She flew back to Monaco and confronted the Dutchman, who talked around Charles, and instead focused on the fact that they had to break up. After an afternoon of shouting, crying and cursing, their three-year relationship was finished. Max insisted she kept the flat, as most of the things inside it were hers anyway. He also didn't want to kick Penelope out of the home she had already bonded with.

Upon walking to the door, Kelly accompanied him with her daughter by her side. The Brazilian had red eyes and an angry expression. Max put his box down outside the door, then turned around and crouched down in order to get to the little girl.

– Hey P. – He talked smoothly, and grabbed something inside his backpack. – That's for you.

He took a little stuffed horse out and gave her. Penelope smiled at the sight.

– You remembered! – She laughed, and they hugged heartfelt.

27th of May, 2023
Monte Carlo, Monaco

Over the last week, one single piece of news threw a shadow on the Monaco GP's build up: the championship leader Max Verstappen and the Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc were somewhat romantically involved. Other than the leaked video from the restaurant, not much reached the public, as both Max and Charles didn't make an official statement. The Red Bull and Ferrari PR teams were also told to act as if nothing had happened. And so the news remained unofficial, making its way through the tabloid press and rumours among the fans.

The newly found couple wanted to have time for themselves and for their respective families to come to terms with their new reality. If on one hand Charles' brothers and mother were every bit supportive, Max's family was confused, as they had not seen that coming and had a very close relationship with his now ex-girlfriend and step-daughter.

Verstappen and Kelly also announced their breakup the day after the leakage, only inflating the rumours about Max and Charles being in a secret relationship. At the end of the day, it was only a matter of time before the pressure became too high and forced both drivers to officialize their involvement. They were bound to be the first two openly homosexual drivers in Formula One, as well as the first couple to drive together in the series. An impressive feat that, they were sure, Liberty Media wouldn't hesitate to marketate.

– You getting that? – Charles asked, annoyed be the fact Max's phone kept vibrating on the bedside table. The Dutchman was laying on his belly with his face turned to Leclerc, sleeping like a rock. The Monégasque rose up and stretched himself over the Red Bull driver, reaching for his phone. After lifting it, he saw the name on the screen: "Christian Horner". – Max, wake up! It's your boss.

Verstappen grunted, moving about on the bed. He then turned his head to the other side, grabbed the phone from Charles' hand and answered with a groggy voice, still laying down.

– Yeah?

– Max, where are... Are you sleeping? I thought we had agreed yesterday you wanted to come in earlier and go over the setup once again. The engineers and I are waiting!

– Oh shit... Sorry Christian, I must've overslept. – Max raised his head and rubbed his eyes.

– Yeah, no kidding. Come on, move your arse over here. I'll give you twenty minutes. See ya.