Mi campeón - Carlos Sainz (EN)

Chapter 11: August 27, 2023

The race day had finally arrived, stirring in Talia a mixture of excitement and slight anticipated melancholy. The professional obligations awaiting her after the race had cast a shadow over the event, but she endeavored to relegate those thoughts to the background, resolutely focusing on the present moment.

As she stood in the stands, she caught Lando's determined gaze, exchanging wishes of success for the upcoming race. Their arms squeezed each other in mutual support, a exchange of encouraging words floating in the air, vibrant with excitement. As she made her way to the guest suite, she passed by the Ferrari stand, where Carlos was about to put on his helmet.

At the sight of her, Carlos interrupted his preparations to hurry towards her. A bright smile adorned his face, expressing his genuine joy at seeing her. "Glad to see you here. I feel like it'll bring me luck," he confided with a playful wink.

Playing along with the teasing, Talia responded with a mischievous smile, "Sure I won't accidentally curse you instead?" A slight tension, a shared laugh, then a warm embrace followed. Carlos's strong arms enveloped her with palpable tenderness.

However, the touching moment was interrupted by an engineer reminding Carlos of his imminent responsibilities on the track. "You need to go, Carlos," he urged.

Talia slowly pulled away, stood on tiptoe, and planted a kiss on Carlos's cheek, murmuring a final "Good luck." She then made her way to her observation post, her heartbeats accompanying the imminent symphony of engines ready to roar.

Lap 1: The Thrilling Start

On August 27, 2023, at 3:03 PM, the lights go out, marking the start of the 1092nd Grand Prix in history. Max Verstappen, starting from pole position, makes a flawless start, maintaining the lead ahead of Lando Norris.

Laps 2 to 5: Anticipated Strategies and Raindrops

Over the first few laps, the track remains relatively dry, but raindrops begin to be felt. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc try to stay out on slick tires, anticipating the upcoming weather changes.

Laps 6 to 10: Rain, Changes, and Battles

By lap 2, Verstappen switches to intermediate tires, anticipating the imminent rain. Russell, staying out on slicks, takes the lead of the race. On lap 3, Perez, with an immediate pit stop, takes the lead, setting the fastest lap in 1'27"522. The hierarchy is disrupted with Zhou in second place and Gasly in third.

Laps 11 to 16: Crucial Pit Stops and Issues for Leclerc

On lap 6, Verstappen overtakes Gasly, reclaiming third place. On lap 11, pit stops for dry tires take place as the rain has stopped. Perez pits one lap after Verstappen but retains the lead of the race. Leclerc encounters issues during his pit stop on lap 1, rejoining in 17th place.

Laps 17 to 21: Safety Car and New Challenges

Lap 17 is marked by a significant off-track excursion by Logan Sargeant, leading to the deployment of the safety car. This causes changes in positions and different strategies for the teams. On lap 21, the race restart after the safety car sees Verstappen, aggressive, reclaiming the lead ahead of Perez and Alonso.

Laps 22 to 29: Battles and New Records

Lap 29 is marked by an incident between Magnussen and Albon, forcing Magnussen to receive a black and white flag. Verstappen sets a new fastest lap.

Laps 30 to 63: Weather Changes and Major Incident

On lap 63, an incident involving Zhou, Hamilton, and Tsunoda causes a red flag. Verstappen takes advantage of the stop to switch to full wet tires.

Laps 64 to 72: Exciting End of the Race

After a short break, the race resumes with Verstappen still in the lead. The final laps are marked by a fierce battle between Sainz and Hamilton for 5th place. Finally, on lap 72, Verstappen crosses the finish line in first position, followed by Alonso, Gasly, Perez, and Sainz completing the top 5. Thus ends the 1092nd Grand Prix, leaving thrilling moments and influential weather strategies in the course of the race.

At the end of the race, although a tinge of disappointment crept in with Lando's seventh-place finish, Gasly's well-deserved podium brought a note of happiness overall. Talia preferred to observe the celebration from a little further away, letting the drivers savor their moment of glory.

Later, she joined Lando, blending into the crowd to comfort him. The momentary disappointment faded in the face of the significance of the experience, and she shared with him the mix of emotions typical of races.

The drivers found themselves immersed in a series of interviews, leaving Talia a bit on the sidelines. She took advantage of this moment to take one last tour of the venue, walking among the now less crowded stands. The echoes of the engines that had fallen silent still resonated, creating a special atmosphere after the excitement of the race.

The checkered flags still fluttered in the wind, and the stands were gradually emptying. Talia, alone with her thoughts, admired the sunset casting warm hues over the circuit. The moments experienced during these few days enriched her memory with a singular richness.

As she wandered, she noticed a place she hadn't yet explored, a small terrace with a breathtaking view of the circuit. She made her way there, allowing herself a few moments of calm, savoring the last memories of this intense weekend.

As she was carried away by the majesty of the landscape, the muffled sound of approaching footsteps broke the peaceful silence enveloping her. A mischievous smile spread across Talia's lips as she saw Carlos approaching, his face illuminated by the soft twilight. Joking about the cliché of their meeting, she couldn't help but let out a slight, conspiratorial laugh. Carlos, in his usual relaxed manner, confided with a playful smile that he was looking for her, adding a touch of humor to the moment.

When he settled down beside her, she sincerely congratulated him on his performance, emphasizing the merit of his place in the top 5. Carlos, in a natural and warm gesture, placed his hand on her waist, gently pulling her towards him. It was there, diving into the depths of his azure eyes, that he made a request tinged with a hint of emotion. "Promise me we'll meet again," he murmured, his voice filled with sincerity.

Talia, touched by the gentleness of his request, let out a light breath before responding. "You know, Carlos, our worlds are so different... I don't know how that could be possible." There was a hesitation lingering in the air, but Carlos, understanding the weight of the constraints surrounding them, couldn't help but smile with infinite tenderness.

He gently took her hand in his, looking at her with a calm intensity. "Then, promise me something simpler," he added, his voice infused with a gentle plea. "Promise me that even if you don't like it, you'll take the time to talk to me, whether by text or any means that suits you. Just so we can stay connected, even from a distance."

Faced with this request imbued with delicacy, Talia hesitated for a moment, feeling the depth of the shared emotions. Eventually, she nodded slightly, then, with contained tenderness, she slipped into Carlos's embrace. The beating of their hearts seemed to resonate in harmony, thus sealing their tacit agreement.

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