THE ROOKIE driver ✔

Chapter 2: Jeddah Corniche Circuit

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The checkered flag waved, signaling the end of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and Matteo crossed the finish line in fifth place. The neon-bright lights of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit flickered off the gleaming body of his car as it slowed down, but Matteo barely noticed the dazzling spectacle or the roaring crowd that lined the grandstands. Fifth place. It wasn't a podium, but it was something. Solid. Respectable. He told himself that, over and over, trying to feel the satisfaction he thought he should.

As he cruised through his cool-down lap, the roar of the engine replaced by the hum of deceleration, Matteo loosened his grip on the steering wheel, his knuckles still whitener his gloves from the intensity of the race. The adrenaline that had pulsed through him for nearly two hours now felt distant, replaced by an empty sort of calm. His radio crackled to life.

"P5, Matteo, P5!" Max, cheered through the static, trying to bring some life back into the moment. "Solid points for the team. Great drive today rookie."

Matteo took a breath, forcing himself to respond. "Yeah, thanks." His voice was calm, maybe too calm for the moment. Inside, the adrenaline still churned, but it wasn't the celebration everyone else seemed to be feeling.

As he pulled into the pit lane, the crowd's cheers echoed in the distance, but they weren't for him. The focus was on the winner, the podium finishers—those who would be celebrating with champagne in hand while he slipped back to the garage, unnoticed by the cameras.

His team on the other hand, the cheers from them were echoing off the walls. They were thrilled—proud of the result—but Matteo could only manage a faint smile beneath his helmet. He knew fifth place was good, especially for his second race, but good wasn't great. Good wasn't enough.

As he climbed out of the car, Max, his race engineer, was the first to greet him. "Matteo! Fifth place! That was a solid drive!" he said, clapping him on the back. "You really held it together in those final laps."

Matteo nodded, pulling off his gloves and helmet, his expression neutral. "Yeah, it was alright," he replied, shrugging slightly. "Could've pushed harder in sector two, maybe."

Max gave him a look, as if trying to gauge his mood. "Mate, you did everything right. There wasn't much more in the car today."

"Maybe," Matteo muttered, glancing around the bustling garage.

Mario De Luca came over not long after, his grin wide. "Matteo, today was impressive"

"Thanks, Mario," Matteo said, his smile tight. "Car felt good today."

The celebrations in the garage were in full swing. Mechanics and engineers crowded around the car, patting him on the back, shouting congratulations. The energy was high, but Matteo stayed on the edge of it all, observing more than participating. He appreciated their enthusiasm, but it didn't quite reach him the way it should've.

"That overtake on Harrington was slick, man!" one of the mechanics said, waving a tablet with the replay. "You didn't give him an inch."

Matteo glanced at the screen, nodding. "Yeah, had to time it just right."

He leaned against a counter, sipping from a bottle of water and letting the noise of the garage wash over him. Fifth was good, and for any other rookie, it would've been cause for celebration. But for Matteo, it felt like he'd left something on the table. Sure, he had fought for every position, and the race had been tough, but that little voice in the back of his mind kept nagging at him. Could've done more. Should've done more.

He glanced around the garage, watching his team celebrate as they pored over data and compared notes. They were proud, and they deserved to be. But Matteo's mind was already racing ahead to the next challenge, the next chance to prove he was more than just a promising rookie. His gaze drifted to the screens showing race highlights, but all he could focus on were the mistakes, the moments where he'd hesitated just long enough for someone to slip past him.