SPARKS~* - O. Piastri

Baku News

I woke up so freaking nervous, I had to go talk to Zack. I was even on the track early though I wasn't even paying attention to my surroundings, all I could hear was the cars in FP3.

What if he said we had to stop?! Or I would be losing my career?! Oh dear lord!

I walked quickly into a hospitality room to get changed, I got dressed in my usual McLaren clothes and there was a knock on the door which was Oscar.

"Hey Di! How's it going?" He said but I was just pacing around and in my own world thinking about what I would say to Zack. "Wow, not so good I guess! What's going through your mind?"

"I have a meeting with Zack today and I just can't focus, how am I going to tell him about us?" I said while I threw myself in his arms.

"Hey hey, don't worry. You could have just told me before, but I'll be there. Don't worry, it's not only your deal, it's my deal too. The qualy checks don't start until 1 pm, so there's no problem."He said before I kissed him until he separated. "I thought you said no kissing?"

"I needed it and you're really sweaty." I said before hugging him again and checking the clock in the room. "Alright! It's time." I said nervously.

We walked together all the way to Zack's office, we were both in silence and as we arrived many greeted us by. When we arrived I just wanted to turn around and leave, but Oscar took my hand into his, and the nerves settled as he knocked on the door.

"Come in Andi, I was waiting for you!"

"Hey, Zack-" I said entering the office while he had not noticed Oscar.

"Please don't tell me you're moving teams, I've heard many rumors."

"Those are just rumors, um actually I, well we wanted to talk to you about something." I said as Oscar came into sight.

"Oscar! Hey, well seat." He said after I closed the door and took a seat beside Oscar.
"What do you need to discuss?"

"Well I- umm, Zack I umm." I tried to say but I couldn't get it out of my mouth, but I relaxed as Oscar grabbed my hand, making Zack look at the gesture. "Oscar and I have been seeing each other for a while, but we have kept it from the team and the media of course. We are not official yet, but we want to be without worrying that it could affect our careers in McLaren."

"Especially Andrea, since she is not a full-time driver and of course how the F1 world is structured in a misogynistic way." Oscar continued.

"Well, I saw this coming a mile ago, to be honest with you two. I have to say that it is probably not the greatest idea but...If it is the right one for you, then it is the right one for me. I look at the team as my family and I always look forward to them. So I am happy for you two, just so you know, it's hard to keep hiding it."

"We know, we'd like to soft launch it when we get together officially." Oscar mentioned.

"Well then we'll have to fix that with both of your PR's but there is no problem with it at all if it's managed professionally, which I'll make sure it is. I'm really happy for you both." We smiled and thanked him, but when we were standing up he spoke again. "Andrea, could you maybe stay for a bit longer?" This made Oscar get back to his seat, but before he was fully seated Zack spoke up again. "Just Andrea." Oscar just whispered a quick bye and I wished him good luck.

"What do you need to talk about Zack?"

"We, in we, I mean Toto, Lewis, Lando, and me, have been in talks." I could only nod since I had no idea what he was talking about. "Lewis wants to leave Mercedes after the first part of the season, well Toto also wants him out of the picture even though the history. And well Lando was going to sign with Mercedes some weeks after the summer break started, but after many talks, they decided that they want Lando in the team as soon as possible." He took a quick breath. "Of course, in F1 if a driver leaves, we don't usually choose the reserve to take their place, but in this situation and after seeing your performance we have decided to offer you a contract that would start in the Monaco weekend ." As much as I was excited, it all was a bit quick. "I know what you're thinking, it is really fast and you are probably a bit panicked, but let me continue. If you perform well in this rest of the season, then we are going for a bigger offer and this could help quiet the rumors that will come out when you and Oscar let this news out for the public."

"I mean, I don't know what to say, thank you for choosing me for the position. And I am not going to turn this down Zack, so I guess Lando will be out next race, huh?"

"Yes, he has already signed with Mercedes, but we will have you now and you are an extremely strong driver Andrea." Zack said standing up and setting the papers on the table.

"Thank you, Zack, thank you." I said with some tears in my eyes as Zack hugged me.

"Welcome to the team as an official full-position driver." He said while letting me go from the hug to let me sign them freely. "Now you can go tell your family if you want." He said and chuckled letting me go to the garage.

The qualy was coming to an end and Oscar was settled in P9 while Lando was in P5. They both had some good times after those but Lando kept his position and Oscar just went to P7.

I went to meet them both at the garages after their quick talks with the engineers and I saw Paul.

"So apparently Miss Sainz just got us both full-time positions." He said sarcastically, making me laugh.

"I guess I did, Zack told you?"

"Just as you left." He said and we both hugged. "We'll let's take that opportunity and become the best ones."

"We will." I said as I made eye contact with Lando and we both walked to each other's arms.

"Congratulations Andi!" He said lifting me off my feet.

"I should say that to you too! You're signed in your new team now." I said a bit sad.

"Hey hey, it's your turn now. You'll always make us proud dear." He said as we hugged again. "But don't be too loud, Zack will communicate it to the media today and tomorrow will be my last day here."

"Why would it be your last day here Lando?" Oscar asked confused.

"Well, you should know that I will be going to Mercedes since the next race and this pretty lady will take my spot." Lando said hugging Oscar. After they separated, Oscar hugged me too.

"I'm so happy for you both, although I'll miss Lando, I can't wait for Di and I to make McLaren's day." He said as we kept eye contact for a moment.

"I'll leave you two for a while." Lando said giggling.

"Ugh, yeah whatever." I said.

"Hey Di, what about a movie night in my room tonight?" Ossy said with a big smile.

"I think that would be perfect, maybe another fast and furious one!" I claimed exited.

"Sure, if that's what you want to see, darling." He said while we were walking out of the garage after the whole team.