Same but... different (Lestappen and Carlando)

Chapter 40

I recommend watching the highlights from that race (Baku 21) as this chapter is heavily inspired by it! (All facts should be from there and Wikipedia, so normally true) here's the link: https://youtu.be/suZHkUxPzjE?si=G4nkgjacCK04QgVp

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POV: Carlos

"It's lights out and away we go"

I try everything I can but I can't overtake Gasly, and I narrowly avoid a contact between our cars, having to back up in the end which leaves a huge space for my Mexican opponent behind to pass me. After a few turns, the Alpha Tauri in front is already opening the gap, now trying to defend from Checo for 4th.

I think Charles is still in first place, from what I can see, and hope this will help my race later, but I'm still very upset. Maybe it's because I really wanted to do well in this race, in case what happens after don't go well. But I guess I'll have to do without a podium, the cars in front already starting to fly away.

My engineer informs me in lap 7 that Charles is now third, behind Max and Lewis. I'm still stuck behind Pierre's car, unable to find the missing tenths to pass him. Apparently, Perez also overtook my teammate, as I can see the red of the Ferrari just in front of the Frenchman.

Suddenly, I feel the tyres locking up, and can only sigh as I end up in the run off area, losing so much time, and so many positions. I guess the yellow flag I unwantedly provoked helped some drivers, but definitely not my team.

"Ah... Sorry guys" Is the only thing I can say through the radio to the probably disappointed crew in the garage. I feel so dumb right now, but I should know how racing goes, and accept my mistake's consequences. I lost almost 10 positions, but hopefully will be able to get back in the points.

POV: Charles

How the fuck have I ended so far from the leader, I was starting in fucking pole position! I'm fuming in the car, hoping the messy pitstops of other drivers help me a little. At least I'm enjoying the lasting battle with my best friend here, Pierre, who's for now in front of my car. I wasn't expecting that today, but it's true that he qualified really well, so... let's see.

Half of the race is already complete and I'm still seventh, starting to feel the patience evaporating from my body. But the tyres feel a bit funny, and I don't want to take any risk pushing with them, I don't want to make the same mistake as my teammate.

Suddenly, a yellow flag is raised and I learn by my engineer that it's Stroll, in the wall (again). He's apparently just at the entry of the pitlane, which is definitely not ideal for anyone who'd like to take advantage of the situation to change tyres.

As Pierre and I are back at being 4th and 5th later in the race, Vettel suddenly appears in my mirrors, overtaking me in a fraction of a second, and placing himself between the Alpha Tauri and my car. Not expecting this, I lock up the rear tyres, almost crashing into the Aston Martin of my ex-teammate.

We're soon back in a battle with the Frenchman, as Sebastian overtakes him pretty quickly as well. My heart's still racing from the almost contact of before, but I have to attack the car in front quickly if I want to have a chance to fight for a podium.

I'm two seconds and a half behind the Alpha Tauri at lap 46, when suddenly my engineer informs me that the current leader of the race, Max, has just crashed. I can't believe what I'm hearing, and instantly panic at the thought of my boyfriend being hurt, or worse.

— Tell me everything, I need to know! I practically shout to my engineer, feeling like lava is filling my veins from the stress.

— Copy that, he said it's the tyres, he seems fine.