The bet | Charles Leclerc

• Ten •

Thursday

The plane slightly shakes in the air, as I lean back in the leather seat. I was lucky enough to get a window seat, but the 2 strangers beside me are slowly killing me.

I've already been on this chaotic plane for far too many hours, heading towards Saudi Arabia for the weekend.

In my lap, my MacBook sits, the YouTube page staring back at me. It's been like that for an hour now.

I want to search for my interview with Leclerc, my fingers are practically aching to type the letters.. But I'm too scared.

Too scared of how many views it has. Too scared of what those many viewers think of me.

I gaze out the small airplane window, the night sky all I see. I had one of the best days Monday, and I loved doing the interview.

Even after the lap was over, and I'd been scared to the bone, I almost wanted to take a second lap, desperate for the same adrenaline rush.

I smile to myself, flashes of Leclerc's wild laughter in the car that day.. I haven't stopped thinking about that day, about him.

My fingertips find the keyboard.

Before I know it, I've typed in my name. Weirdly and stupidly, my heart beats hardly in my chest. With a deep breath, I tap enter.

Loading..

There it is, being the first video that pops up. "CHARLES LECLERC takes ISA VERSTAPPEN on a HOT LAP" it reads, the thumbnail me and Leclerc laughing aggressively.

Unable to stop myself, I smile at the picture. We look stupid, but in the best way possible.

The viewer count appears in my vision, suddenly becoming my only focus. No way. Everything else around me disappears as I stare at the number.

One million. 1 million views in barely a week.

My whole body feels frozen. That's a lot of people. A lot.

Too afraid of seeing my other interviews' viewer count, I quickly tap on the video. Immediately, the intro plays in my headphones.

And then I come on screen. My words sound weird and out of tune now, but... I can't stop smiling as I look at myself from this point of view.

I look so happy. Especially when Leclerc speaks..

Instinctively, my finger scrolls down to the comments of the video. I shouldn't do this. Richard, even Leclerc, said it was the stupidest thing I could do.

But once I've started, I can't stop myself.

@carslover: Loved this video, SO funny, excited to see more from Isa Verstappen!

The first comment reads, putting a smile on my lips.

@charlesleclercsbiggestfan: is she really Max's sister???

Yes, yes she really is.

@slut4f1drivers: who tf is this Isa girl, and what is she doing with my husband?!