Formula 1 | One Shots

The Last Chicane Part 2 | Lando Norris

Authors Note: This storyline was requested by user: saralways55

Part 2 of 2, final part. Done in Carlos POV. 

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The Daily Sun

****Breaking News: FIA Cancels Remainder of 2023 Season, Max Verstappen Wins 3rd World Championship Title****

It is now official that the FIA has cancelled the remaining five races in the 2023 calendar after the news of McLaren's #1 driver's tragic passing. The world was silent watching the young British driver crash into the chicane at Marina Bay's street circuit last week. He was pronounced dead at the scene, EMT's attempting to perform CPR. 

As a result of ending the season early, Redbull's Max Verstappen won his third consecutive championship title, no one close enough in points to snag the title. Despite winning, sources have said Verstappen refuses to celebrate amidst the passing of his good friend.

All drivers in the 2023 lineup have shared memorial posts on their social media, in honor of Norris. McLaren CEO has remained silent on the matter, refusing to comment on replacing the now empty seat for the 2024 season. 

Our deepest condolences are with the entire Norris and McLaren family. Stay tuned for live updates of Lando Norris's funeral, held today in the drivers hometown of Bristol.

Read More: 

Carlos Sainz Jr. Departs Ferrari for Redbull After Perez Looses Seat

Daniel Ricciardo Retires from Formula One

Toto Wolff to Step Down as Mercedes Team Principal 

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It's been one week since we lost Lando. Since getting a hotel in the UK, I haven't left my bed and I couldn't even if I tried. It felt like I was going through the days on auto-pilot, just numb. The only time I left was to meet up with the other drivers and Lando's parents to help them with funeral arrangements. My best friend, taken too soon. At this point I had cried too much, there weren't any tears left, only emptiness. 

After Lando crashed and EMT's were unable to resuscitate him, Charles and I followed the ambulance to the hospital. We still had hope that there was something that could be done, but once we arrived and he was re-examined by a surgeon, it confirmed our worst fears. 

We were allowed a moment alone with him and I couldn't help but hold him in my arms. I would never see his silly smirk again, or watch him complain about fish. Who would I tease now about only liking to drink milk? The always smiling, curly headed kid from Bristol was but a mere ghost of himself, 24 forever. 

Things were a blur after that. Watching Lando's parents fly in and having to break the news to them was hard to witness. My parents even flew out, they adored Lando and always invited him to our family parties. My dad and him were pretty close, so this hit close to home for everyone.

The outpour of love from the fans was heartwarming. Fans were lighting up candle memories in front of McLaren headquarters and his apartment in Monaco. Luisa, his ex girlfriend even reached out to me asking if there was anything she could do it help. The entire world came together to remember and celebrate Lando.

Charles, Max, Danny and I stayed in Singapore a few extra days after the crash to help his family as much as needed. Oscar was supporting McLaren back in Woking with what they needed while we supported the other stuff. A few of the drivers agreed that we would all chip it to fly Lando's body back to the UK and cover all funeral costs, as well as travel accommodations for his family. As much as his parents insisted we didn't have to, we wanted to. It was the least we could do to show how much we cared about him.

The last night we spent in Singapore before trekking to the UK, we got together on the roof of our hotel, drinking Lando's favorite beer, and telling each other some of best memories with him. We took a moment of silence and poured a beer out for him, hoping he was getting drunk up in the heavens. When everyone went off to bed, I stayed up there. I cried for what felt like hours. I cried for Lando, I cried for myself, I cried for time being cruel, for life being unfair. When I was all cried out I simply went to bed and hadn't cried again.

Charles, George and Max had been more of a wreck than the rest of us had been. They had known Lando a long time, karting together when they were young. They had all basically grown up together. Charles specifically was a sensitive person to begin with, as he had already lost two dear friends at the hands of racing. I tried to be strong for everyone but it was getting harder and harder to do. Like me, Charles, Max and Danny didn't want to go back to Monaco to be alone. We The four of us felt bonded over what happened. Once we all left Singapore, we stayed in the same hotel in Bristol, near where the funeral was planned to be.

Today was his funeral. Charles and I were sharing a suite, both of us getting ready in our suits. We got ready in silence, neither of us really having anything to say. Allison had asked a few of us earlier this morning to help carry Lando's casket, those who were very close to him. Me, Charles, Max, Danny, George and Oscar would have the honors, aside from Lando's brothers and cousin. 

The ride to the church was emotionally charged. No one said a word, everyone coming to terms with his death in their own way. The church ceremony was emotional as well, his family members giving speeches about how Lando lived life to the fullest. We laughed, we cried and we held a moment of silence. 

From the church we caravanned to the burial site, a beautiful cemetery in northern Bristol. That's when things started to feel too real. MY breathing quickened as we walked on the dirt bath towards his tombstone. A few words we said as they prepared to finally put Lando to rest. His siblings placed his debut rookie helmet on top of the casket, deciding he would have loved to have it with him.

As they lowered his casket into he ground, we placed flowers on top of it, orange ones, he'd love them. In this moment the reality of what happened officially hit me. It had been 'go, go, go' since the crash that I hadn't really had time to process it all. My vision became blurry and I wobbled a bit as my knees were starting to give up from under me. I stumbled, grabbing onto Charles shoulder for support. 

"Carlos, mate!!! Carlos????" was the last thing I heard while everything faded to black and the pain went away...

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"Carlos? Carlos? Can you hear me? Amor wakeup, you're scaring me!" 

I shot up immediately, my forehead drenched in sweat. My breathing was heavy and rapid. My eyes took a minute to adjust, since the room was so dark. I started to recognize the room as my apartment in Madrid. I turned to my side, seeing my girlfriend frantically staring back at me, confused. 

"Mierda, what the hell happened?" I ask her not evening knowing what day it was.

"Baby, you were having a nightmare. You were shouting and crying, I couldn't wake you up. I was so worried."

"I....I'm sorry. I had a horrible dream something terrible happened to Lando during a race. It felt... so real. I held him in my arms...we..we.. buried him, I mourned him" I said while tears were staining my cheeks."

"Oh amor, I'm so sorry. You're okay, Lando is okay." my girlfriend says while rubbing my back.

"Please go back to bed, I'm sorry I woke you and worried you. Te amo amor" I said while kissing her cheek. 

Relief flooded through me, it was just a nightmare. But it felt...so real... I quickly grabbed my phone from the nightstand. The time read 4:16 AM and I realized it was the middle of January. The season hadn't event started, nothing I dreamt of was real....right? 

Just to be sure, I went to my WhatsApp and quickly rang Lando's number, before realizing how early in the morning it was. I was about to hangup, but on the third ring the FaceTime started and Lando's sleepy face popped up. I let out a deep breath and relaxed. 

"Chili, you better have a good reason for calling me this early during the winter break, you muppet." 

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PHEW, everyone breathe! I hope I didn't stress anyone out with this two parter lolol. 

See you up next with a spicy Charles story xoxo- Ary