Turbulence [𝗠.𝗩.]

♦ Brazil, Race Day ♦

"... landing today on one of the greatest tracks of the Formula 1 calendar..."

⸻

BRAZIL
20TH RACE OF THE SEASON
NOVEMBER

You wouldn't think that two days ago it was storming so bad one of the grandstands had a roof ripped off.

The sun is shining, the wind is relatively settled, and the atmosphere is electric. Yesterday was a similar atmosphere; the sprint race was hardly interesting but it was good. Just... not exciting.

"How long till it rains today?" Daniel's question has Oscar and I looking up at him from where we've been sat. We both have matching dead stares unable to pierce his blinding joy.

"I'll hold him down, you punch him?" I ask Oscar, giving him a glance.

He nods, but we're both starting to smile because Daniel's joy is so damn infectious. "I'll get the brass knuckles I know James keeps on him."

"Wow!" Daniel places a hand to his chest in mock offense, as us two rookies start laughing at him. "And I thought we were friends, guys!"

"Friends is such a strong term..." Oscar starts, grinning now whilst Daniel sits down next to us. "I prefer frenemies."

"Oscar... that's so stupid." I say, shaking my head at how dumb he sounds.

"Says the one who pushed a pull door this morning!"

Wow. "Okay, in my defense, it didn't say push or pull..."

Claire pulls on the cooling vest after I take it off, sighing in relief. I chuckle at the look on her face.

"What?"

"Nothing." It's funny to me because I'm sure she wanted to use it at other hot races, yet all she needed was my permission to start actually wearing it.

I have to redo my hair quickly before pulling on all my gear; the bun feels loose and mildly itchy. Claire's nimble fingers make quick work in helping me flatten my mid-back length hair against my scalp. She slips a few bobby pins into my jet-black locks to keep it down and before I know it, I'm ready to get my balaclava on.

"I'll keep these." She shows me the handful she hasn't used in her hand. "You don't need more than four, anyway."

"I know, but I always go overboard in case my hair tries to escape." Is my response as I pull on my helmet.

Once I'm in the car, everything is drowned out. All I hear is the blood rushing through my ears and the engine growling around me. Mateo reminds me on the radio that the soft is the best starting tyre, and everyone's on it. Even a scrub set would be better than going to hard tyres.

I follow Piastri into the formation lap, with Ricciardo behind me, but ahead, a Ferrari has flown straight into the barriers... I think it's Leclerc. Oh god.

"Is he okay?"

"He's fine, but he's definitely out. Looks like hydraulics or power unit."

That's just.. Lerclerc's had an awfully unlucky season. I'll have to check in on him after the race. I'll make sure he's okay. But now, I'm pulling into the grid and I have to focus on the race ahead.

And as the race starts, its chaos.

We go into the first turn and I barely avoid debris and carnage happening behind and almost into me; a Haas goes flying in my mirror, alongside I think an Alpine or a Williams. Flags are up, the race is going to be halted. No way they won't pause it.