I hope it's you - Charles leclerc

Part 17

Song recommendation for this chapter: Cry baby by The Neighbourhood.
"I've got this anxious feeling but it goes away for a minute when I'm with you, breathing"

CHARLES' POV:

"Charles, it is time to prepare for the race"

Of course it was. I was just about to tell Alice something that had been on my mind for days and I had been interrupted. Typical.

But I could not think about that now. I had a race to win and Alice seemed to give me the motivation to do just that. Win.

The formation lap was about to begin as I watched Verstappen and Checo slowly begin to make their way around the track, warming up their tires.

I was usually good at clearing my head before a race but with Alice it was different. She was like a permanent tattoo that had been drawn onto my brain, never leaving. But I had made it my goal to get over this silly crush.

Before I knew it we were already finished the formation lap and back at the starting line on the track as I lined up behind Verstappen with Checo beside me, slightly ahead.

I watched as all five lights slowly flashed on simultaneously and when the last light appeared I put my foot on the pedal and focused on the opponents ahead.

I had a faster reaction than Checo as I made my way to his side as we entered the first corner. I took the inside line and smoothly overtook him, leaving him behind. Max was next and he hadn't had a great reaction either. I was right behind him when I noticed the yellow flag waving, I slowed down my car and pressed my radio button to ask what had happened.

"Hamilton spun in corner one and hit the barrier hard Charles, they are sending a tractor out there now to get rid of his car"

"A tractor?" I spoke, panicked as I was reminded about what happened with a tractor in Japan 2014.

"Yes Charles" my race engineer spoke calmly.

"They cannot. This has to be a red flag, tell them it has to be a red flag, they can't leave that tractor out with us on the track it is too dangerous" I argued rapidly, not even thinking about my words. I was too worried to.

I slowly passed by the tractor watching to make sure no one gets hurt.

That is until I see a car spin out on turn one, heading at great speed towards the tractor. Before I could see what had happened I had to turn my attention back to the track. As I see the red flag being waved.

"Red flag. I repeat,red flag" my race engineer spoke calmly again. I do not know how he could be so calm during this situation.

"What? Who is it? I told you that machine shouldn't have been on the track and now look at what has happened" my breathing started to get heavier and faster.

"It is Gasly" my engineer spoke again.

"No no no no no no , please be lying, please, please"
I pleaded, making my way into the pits.

I stopped my car and hopped out, running towards my racing engineer.

"Is he okay? tell me he is okay" I shouted, not being able to control my emotions. Pierre was my best friend and I cannot lose someone else.

"There was been no response yet" my engineer spoke, placing his hands on my shoulders to try and calm me but that did not work. I pushed his hands off and stormed to my drivers room. Trying to control my breathing as I paced up and down.
My eyes started to swell with tears as I was interrupted by a knock.

"Go away" my voice cracking as I spoke without needing to know who it was, I did not care. I needed to be alone. I was too overwhelmed with emotions to speak with anyone.