The calm before the storm - Max Verstappen x Charles Leclerc

26

It was morning and time for the race. Charles and I got up at the same time and got ready. I didn't really want to come along but I knew Charles wanted me along so I did. "When do we have to leave" I asked after I had jumped out of the shower. "we're leaving in 20 minutes right" he said as he changed. "I thought I'd go downstairs and have breakfast," I said as I dried my hair.

We went downstairs and were going to eat when we met Pierre and Lando. "hey Frankie, off to the race" Lando said as he gave me a hug. "Honestly, I'm not," I said with a clear nervousness in my voice. Lando understood what I meant and gave me another hug. We were sitting quietly eating our breakfast when I heard an angry voice in the distance.

"Yes, I'll solve it, take it easy," I heard behind me. It was Max talking on the phone with someone and it was probably his father. I couldn't stand his presence or voice so I just wanted to go towards the Circuit. The others thought the same as me and asked if we should start going there.When we went out to the car I felt a few eyes on the back of my neck so I turned around and saw that it was Max looking at me. When he realized that I caught him looking at me, he immediately looked down at the ground. I turned around and walked out to the car as if nothing had happened.

We arrived at the Circuit slower than usual because there was a lot of traffic on the roads. "People will be interested in you today because you yelled at Max yesterday but screw them" said Charles before we jumped out. Charles was right. People shouted a lot of questions and wanted to know more about what had happened, but the guys hurried off to a place where it was quieter. What have I done to deserve these people I thought to myself.

"Can't you be in our garage today" Lando asked, switching between checking on me and Charles. "mate she's my lucky charm" replied Charles and put an arm on my shoulder. "I might want some luck too" laughed Lando which made me laugh too. We said goodbye and I accompanied Charles to the Ferrari garage where Carlos met us. "how late you are" said Carlos. "there was heavy traffic" I said as I looked around. It was time for Charles to jump in the car so I stood where I used to stand and checked the screen.

"And its lights out! Away we go." I had started to like the sport more and more. Charles had a very good start, climbing from fourth to second in the first corner. There were many times Charles tried to overtake Max but each time Max defended very well. After 21 laps the first accident happened. Perez was going to overtake my brother but that overtaking meant that Simon was forced further out and ended up going into the wall.

Luckily it was nothing serious but it forced Simon to retire. I thought about going to their garage to check on him but wasn't sure if I could so I chose to stay but chose to text.

Francesca Russo: 

hi my lovley brother, I'm not sure if I can go to you but hope you're safe and well.

I looked up and saw that Charles was heading into the pit. The stop was very quick and he managed to keep his position. In lap 49 I noticed how Charles started driving more aggressively to overtake Max. they tried to calm him down but were unsuccessful. Fred approached me and said "can you say something to him so he doesn't kill himself today". I thought for a second about the words he said but decided to do what he said.

"Charles, if you keep driving the way you're doing right now, you're going to kill yourself and I'm not going to lose you." There was silence for a second before I heard his voice. "I apologize Francesca" his voice sounded calmer now and it was also noticeable in his driving. He didn't drive as aggressively but it paid off. He was closing in on Max with just a few laps to go.

In the penultimate lap, Max made a mistake which meant that Charles managed to overtake. We in the garage were overjoyed and cheered him on. Charles won and no one was happier than me. At first I thought of walking away while Charles came back but the mechanics forced me. We arrived just before Charles entered. He jumped out and saw me standing there so he immediately ran to me and gave me a hug.

He didn't want to let go of me at first, but after the others kept pulling him, he let go. The cameras were very interested in filming us which made me uncomfortable. Carlos also came to celebrate because he came third which made me more proud of Ferrari. It was time for the podium so I went and stood below. "thank you for telling him" it was Fred talking to me. "I'm not going to let him drive himself to death," I replied. Fred was going to say something more but then they went up to the podium so we cheered.

I stood in the parking lot waiting for Charles. I heard someone say my name and automatically thought it was Charles so I turned around. "Well it was you, what do you want" I asked annoyed. "Can we talk for a while before Charles comes" Max asked. I nodded and waited for him to start talking. "I really want to say sorry for how I behaved last time" Max said with shame in his voice and his eyes locked on the ground.

"you can start by explaining why" I demanded which made Max look up. "it's my dad, he's stressing me out right now" I heard sadness in his voice which made me feel sorry for him. "that doesn't give you the right to act like shit" were the words that came out of my mouth. I was as surprised by those words as Max was. "stop acting like you're important to him because he's going to dump you soon" max said which shocked me.

"what's your problem Max" I said angrily which gave Max a grin on his face. "you're my problem when the hell are you going to understand that" he said back ironically. I didn't know how to react but in the end I chose to get on one of Max's sensitive nerves. "if you weren't an idiot you might have won more races, it must hurt to see Charles win all the time"

I saw that I started something with Max but before he could say anything back Charles arrived. "are you ready to go now" he ignored Max completely and hugged me in front of him causing him to snort at us. "all the drivers are going out tonight do you want to go" Charles asked me and continued to completely ignore Max. I nodded and we went to the car and drove home.