Dopamine | Adrenaline Book Two

25 - Who Do You Miss When You Lose Yourself?

Once the podium ceremony concluded for the stars of the day, Max and Carlos, they came down to face the press after achieving a well-deserved one-two finish. Both seemed quite excited about it, Max even more so after a period of drought in his winning streak, now feeling himself regaining his drive.

One question in particular, however, caught his attention.

"Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both placed lower than expected today. With those two being your direct contestants for the world title, how does it feel knowing their bickering on track might be making your job easier?"

Max was well aware Charles and Lewis weren't on the best of terms but it seemed like their lack of sportsmanship was getting stronger and more obvious. And with two races with no solid points he knew for a fact Ferrari would start to get stressed with the strained relationship of their drivers.

And at the end of the day, they pick one.

"I think it's great," Max shrugged, trying not to let his lingering emotions for Charles affect his answer. Racing was racing. "Of course, I always prefer a good fight, but I won't complain if they want to take each other out."

"Apparently, Charles Leclerc rejected team orders. Do you think he should have listened and let Lewis through?"

It's interesting how they always try to drag you into the drama, even when you're not directly involved.

"No," Max frowned ever so slightly, the subject bringing him a bit of discomfort. "I think team orders shouldn't exist. If he wants to pass, let him do it with his own abilities. I'm pretty sure Lewis wouldn't have given in either."

"Thank you, Max."

Immediately after the media session, Max headed towards the Red Bull hospitality area. There, he bumped into Helmut Marko, who, in his usual manner, decided to comment on the recurring rumors of the paddock the moment he got the chance.

"I think they are going to kick Charles, mark my words, they'll replace him," the much older man started with a certainty that made Max feel uneasy.

"Probably not. Charles is really valuable to them," he tried to defend the Monegasque driver, but he knew the threat was very much real given the circumstances of that race. Max simply refused to accept it.

"He is a driver who has never won a championship, causing trouble for a seven-time world champion who is leading the championship for them. I think he'll be out pretty soon."

As much as Max hated to admit it, the older man was right. Unfortunately, the truth was that no matter how close a bond a team develops with a driver, if the driver becomes a liability, there will no longer be a place for them in the team.

Buried in the very realistic worries he was beginning to develop for Charles, Max decided to dial a number. It was an impulse decision, but an important one nonetheless.

"Hi, Max.. Did you mean to call me?" Charles picked up on what must have been the last ring.

"Yes, I did. Are you okay?" Max asked quietly.

Charles looked down at his feet, torn between answering honestly or deflecting. "Is there a reason you're asking?" His voice was soft.

He feared any vulnerability between them, knowing where it could lead — even a simple question could open old wounds. "But yes," he lied, "we didn't crash or anything."

There was a silence that seemed to stretch on before Max responded, "You know why I'm asking."

"I'm asking if you're okay," he insisted, signaling that the answer Charles gave wasn't what he wanted to hear. "I know you didn't crash. Are you okay?"