Formula 1 | One Shots (1)

The Protector | Carlos Sainz

Author's Note: Another short one. Done in Carlos POV.

Trigger warning: mention of physical abuse.

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There's no reason for me to be so protective of her. We hardly knew each other but something in my gut couldn't leave her alone. Petra Simoni joined Ferrari earlier this year as one of the social media team members. I had hardly noticed her when she joined because she kept to herself and stayed in the background.

My PR manager had introduced her to Charles and I back in February. She was quiet and shy, the opposite of most of the social media team members. We had heard that she had really good experience in marketing and her credentials spoke for themselves. 

I remember meeting her for the first time. She had long brown hair, green eyes and tan skin. Her eyes hid behind cute round eyeglasses which she wore during meetings or when she was taking notes. I was slightly too observant of her. Her Italian accent was cute, and her voice was timid, but confident when needed. 

She didn't really interact with anyone much, outside of team events and meetings. From the moment I saw her, I sensed there was more to her story than met the eye. She was always polite and professional, but she kept everyone at arm's length, myself included. Despite this, I felt an urge to befriend her. 

Race after race, I made efforts to include Petra in conversations. We'd share a laugh over a silly meme, grab coffee from hospitality, or just sit next to her during team meetings, hoping these gestures would make her feel more at ease. She always responded with a polite smile, but she remained cautious, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something deeper was going on.

One day in the paddock was when that all changed. I was preparing to get into the car for free practice 1, when I caught sight of Petra bending down to pick up something she dropped. As she bent over, her shirt rode up slightly, revealing dark bruises on her back. My heart dropped. As she stood back up, our eyes met, and she was mortified. Her face flushed with a mix of fear, shame, and sadness.

Growing up with two sisters made me really aware of how cruel the world could be to women. I always tried my best to stand up for what's right and look out for the women in my life. The fact that someone was hurting Petra, devastated me. She was so innocent and didn't deserve it. 

In the days that followed, I gently tried harder to get closer to Petra. I wanted her to know that I was there for her, a safe place. I would find little ways to check in with her, asking how she was doing, inviting her to join me for a walk around the paddock, or simply sitting beside her in comfortable silence. Gradually, she began to open up, letting her guard down.

One evening, after a particularly media exhausting day, we were alone in hospitality. The team had wrapped up their debrief, and the room was quiet. I decided to take a chance. I approached her quietly and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She flinched at first, not realizing who it was, only confirming my suspicions even more. 

"Petra," I said softly, "I've noticed the bruises. You don't have to tell me everything, but please know that I'm here for you."

She hesitated, her eyes filling with tears. She looked away, and for a moment, I thought she might shut me out completely. But then she took a deep breath and began to speak. She told me about her dad—how he was abusive, both physically and emotionally. She had endured years of pain, and taking the job with Ferrari was her escape, her chance to start over. Listening to her story, I felt a mix of anger and sadness, but also immense pride in her for having the courage to speak up.

I thought about all the women who could possibly be facing the same thing as Petra. Hurting on the inside, but too afraid to say anything. I didn't blame her for keeping to herself and not wanting to let anyone in. Her trust in people was probably broken after someone so close to her was abusing her.

Hearing about the pain she endured was heartbreaking. The person who was meant to protect her, was in fact the one hurting her. I could see the toll it had taken on her, but I also saw her strength and resilience. I was overcome with a mix of emotions, but one thing was clear: I needed to be there for her. From that day on, I made a vow to myself. I promised that I would protect her, that I would be the friend she needed. I wanted her to know she wasn't alone anymore. I could now she why she was so shy and kept to herself.

As the races continued, I stayed by her side, offering support whenever she needed it. I'd make sure to include her in team activities, encourage her when she was feeling down, and listen when she needed to talk. We developed a routine of sorts, and I could see her starting to relax more around the team. She began to open up, sharing bits and pieces of her life, her dreams, and her fears. Each shared moment felt like a small victory.

One afternoon, after a press conference, she was walking back to the Ferrari garage together. She turned to me. "Thank you, Carlos," she said. "For everything."

In that moment, I realized just how far we had come. Petra was no longer the guarded, reserved person I had met months ago. She was stronger, more confident, and I was honored to have played a small part in that transformation. She was finally putting herself out there more, making friends and joining in on conversations in the garage. 

I promised myself that I would continue to be there for her, no matter what challenges lay ahead. She had become more than just a co-worker to me, she had become a friend I deeply cared about. I would always protect her.