Connected | Olivia Rodrigo

25. A Friendship Down The Drain

BARCELONA, SPAIN. JUNE 2025.

The first day of June marked race day in Barcelona, after his high in Monaco, Jacob was striving for more. He had been on a streak of podiums and was aiming to continue this. He was starting on the grid in third today, the McLaren performing so much better than it was last season.

"Radio check." Jake said after getting into the cockpit of the car.

"Copy Jake." Rick's voice replied. "Let's push as hard as we can in the opening laps."

Jake lowered his visor and prepared for the lights to go out, checking his rear mirrors just before and seeing the Ferrari of Thierry behind him in P5. The animosity between the two was as high as ever, Thierry still bitter about Jake's win in Monaco.

The lights went out, and the race began with a symphony of roaring engines and screeching tires. Jake's start was strong, maintaining his position and navigating the first few corners accurately. Thierry, who had gained a reputation to be an aggressive driver, was already pushing hard to gain ground. By the time they reached the end of the first lap, Jake had settled into a rhythm, keeping his eyes on the car ahead while monitoring Thierry's position in his mirrors - their positions remained the same.

Lap after lap, the race progressed smoothly. Jake maintained his focus, executing perfect laps and holding his position, at one point he held the fastest lap of the race before it was taken away from him by the Red Bull of Verstappen.

Thierry had climbed to P4 and was closing in on Jake but Jake felt confident he could hold him off, there was over a second between the two.

Then, disaster struck.

As they approached the penultimate corner of the track, Thierry made a move. He dove into the inside line, attempting to overtake Jake in a manoeuvre that was as bold as it was reckless. Jake, caught off guard by the sudden move, kept to his line and didn't pull out. He had done so before and that was his fatal flaw but this time, he kept to his line. He knew he had the line for this corner and the position was his.

Chaos. Thierry's car clipped Jake's rear, sending both cars spinning out of control.

The impact was violent. Carbon fibre shards flew through the air as both cars crashed into the barriers. The track marshals waved the red flag, signalling a stop to the race. In the midst of the chaos, Jake felt the jolt of the crash reverberate through his body.

"Jake? Are you ok?" he could hear Rick's voice but he couldn't respond as he was momentarily dazed.

"Yeah...fine..." Jake responded, so angry he couldn't even express it on the radio. His head felt fuzzy as he removed himself from the car.

Despite the shock, Jake's anger quickly flared. As he climbed out of his wrecked car, he saw Thierry emerging from his own mangled vehicle. An ambulance was quick to the scene, paramedics rushing to check on both drivers.

Walking past Thierry on his way to the ambulance, Jake deliberately shouldered him with all the force his frustration could muster.

"Asshole." Jake muttered under his breath, his eyes burning with rage.

Thierry, clutching his arm and muttering curses in French, glared at Jake. "Salaud." he spat, the venom in his voice unmistakable.

The aftermath of the crash was a blur of medical checks and heated exchanges. Jake, though only slightly bruised, was seething. The crash had cost him a potential podium, and he was determined to hold Thierry accountable.

Jake stood in front of the media after his check-up was done, his expression a mix of anger and exhaustion. Cameras flashed and microphones were thrust forward as the reporters clamoured for his reaction.