Lights Out - Charles Leclerc

Chapter Ten

Sienna

Qualifying day is by far the most stressful day for me. You are running against the clock, trying to get the best time from all the 20 drivers. And sometimes things don't go the way you want them to be. Which is what happened to me, about 2 minutes ago when I crashed against a wall.

I'm standing outside my garage looking at the car and at the mechanics fighting the clock to fix the car as fast as they can so that I can make it to Q2. The crash wasn't as bad as it could have been, but there's still a little damage. They are changing the front wing, both front tyres and then they have to check if everything is working properly. It may seem like it's not a big deal, but in a day like this and in a circuit like this where overtaking is very hard, it is a big deal.

I'm passing back and forth, from the pit wall to see if I'm still in the top 15 and how much time is left, and to the garage to see how much longer will it take. I haven't even taken off my helmet or my gloves, and I won't. I want to be ready to jump right back in the car.

"Am I still in?" I ask Christian for what might be the 4th time and in this moment I appreciate his patience.

"Yes, but your losing places. P12," He says.

"How much time?" I ask, my hands on my hips.

"2 minutes," I nod and start passing again. I just need to stay above that line. I know that, if everything is ok with the car, I can push it and make a good time. I just need this to work my way, please.

"Sienna!" Christian calls and I turn my head so fast. "P14, less than a minute."

"Shit!" I can't help but to yell. I walk to the garage when I notice my car has a front wing and tyres. "Is everything ok?"

"We're just checking some things," The mechanic says. I stand there so still and realize I could so easily freak out right now.

"Sienna!" Christian calls again and I run to the pit wall. "It's over, you're through."

"What?" I ask, not quite believing what I'm hearing.

"You stayed P15, you're going to Q2," He tells me, a big smile on his face. My only response is to hug him really tight and then run back to my car, where in less than a minute, I'm strapped and ready to go despite them still checking things.

"Radio check," My race engineer says over the radio.

"Loud and clear, Josh."

"They're finishing the checkups, but so far everything is fine," He says and all I can do is wait. A few minutes pass, minutes that feel like hours and feel like waste of time. Then, I see everyone's expression change. To a relieved one. I receive a thumbs up from one of the mechanics and a weight the size of the titanic lifts off my shoulders. I turn the car and wait for my clear signal to leave the garage. Q2 has started already and I can't waste anymore time.

I make my way to the track and start my flying lap. I do two more, leaving me in P2. In Q3 I push this car like I've never pushed it before, not just because I want to win a Monaco race, but because I want to prove Charle wrong. Which is stupid, but still a reason.

As I'm making my way back to the garages after my last lap, I wait for Josh to tell me what my position for tomorrow's race is.

"Sienna you're P3," He tells me and I let out a frustrated sigh.

"Who's pole and P2?" I ask.

"Lando P2 and Charles on pole," He says. I'm not ready to see his stupid, cocky grin.