THINKIN BOUT YOU, carlos sainz

ONE, kick off

CHAPTER ONE,
kick off

LILIANA CAMILA ALONSO DID NOT LIKE the Bahrain Grand Prix.

There, she said it!

Yes, it was the long-awaited start of the season. Everyone had been talking about it for weeks, but the excitement just wasn't there for Liliana. The air wasn't thick with tension the way it was at other races. There were no rivalries hanging in the air, no gripping storylines. It was just another race, without the edge that made Formula 1 so captivating.

She sighed contentedly as she passed through the security checkpoint, swiping her paddock pass. The familiar beep granted her access to the paddock, and the constant hum of activity surrounded her as she walked into the thick of it. The warm Bahraini air brushed her skin, and for a moment, she closed her eyes and let the sun envelop her. The bustle of the paddock, though familiar, felt a bit dull today.

Her eyes scanned the scene, and they soon landed on Lando Norris, standing off to the side near a small table, sipping on his iced matcha. He looked as laid-back as ever, his easy smile already evident from a distance. Liliana couldn't help but feel a bit of relief seeing him there—it was a small comfort amidst the lack of excitement.

She waved as she approached. "Hey, Lan!"

Lando looked up, a smile spreading across his face when he saw her. He raised his hand in greeting, then stepped toward her, his relaxed energy a stark contrast to the usual frantic pace of the paddock.

"Hey, Liliana," he said warmly, putting his drink down. "How's it going?"

"Can't complain," she replied, her tone light but with a hint of wistfulness. "How about you?"

"I'm just trying to stay calm before the chaos kicks in." Lando chuckled, running a hand through his messy hair. "I'm sure the interviews and meetings are gonna keep me busy, but I'm good for now."

Liliana nodded. "It's gonna be a busy weekend, that's for sure."

Lando shifted on his feet, glancing around as he spoke. "So, when's my interview with you today?"

Liliana checked her watch. "I think it's at 12:30?" she said, squinting at the time on her wrist.

"Ah, alright," he said with a grin, though it wasn't too over-the-top, just a friendly expression. "Looking forward to it."

Liliana raised an eyebrow, a playful edge in her tone. "You say that now, but we'll see how much you enjoy it after I start asking questions."

Lando laughed lightly, clearly unbothered. "I'm sure it'll be fine. You're one of the more fun interviews to do."

Liliana rolled her eyes but smiled. "Always so modest."

She dug into her bag for a pair of sleek black sunglasses. As she pulled them out, Lando's eyes narrowed slightly in curiosity.

"Are those mine?" he asked, the suspicion evident in his voice.

Liliana gave him a teasing look. "Hmm, I don't know. I think they might be my dad's."

She laughed at Lando's puzzled expression and then added, "Have you seen him by the way? My dad's probably still asleep in the hotel room—he never wakes up early enough."

Lando shook his head, amused. "I haven't seen him, but knowing him, he's probably sleeping in after all that traveling."

Liliana chuckled as her phone vibrated in her pocket. She quickly checked it and smiled. "I better get going. Gotta check in on a few things."