The Spa-Francorchamps circuit, nestled in the Ardennes forest, was a favorite among Formula 1 drivers. Its fast, sweeping corners, unpredictable weather, and rich history made it one of the most challenging and rewarding tracks on the calendar. But for Y/N, this weekend was about more than just racing. It was about proving herself once again—not just as a female driver in a male-dominated sport, but as one of the best on the grid.
And then there was Kimi.
Kimi Räikkönen, the Iceman, was not just her colleague on the grid; he was her husband, her anchor in the often chaotic world of Formula 1. Their relationship had always been a balance of mutual respect and fierce independence. On the track, they were competitors; off the track, they were partners, navigating the pressures of their careers together.
The weekend at Spa had started well. Y/N had been fast in practice, and her Ferrari was dialed in perfectly for the race. Kimi, too, was in good spirits, his usual stoic demeanor softening in the moments they shared away from the spotlight. They had been married for a few years now, and though the media often speculated about the pressures of their high-profile marriage, they had always found strength in each other.
Race day dawned with the promise of rain. The skies were overcast, and the air was thick with tension. Y/N and Kimi shared a quiet moment in the paddock before the race, the roar of the fans in the distance a constant reminder of the spectacle they were about to partake in.
"Stay safe out there," Kimi said, his voice low and steady as he pulled her into a brief embrace. It wasn’t unusual for him to express concern before a race, but something in his tone felt different this time, more urgent.
"You too," Y/N replied, looking up into his familiar, ice-blue eyes. She knew he was worried, but they both had jobs to do, and there was no room for fear on the grid.
As they parted ways and made their way to their respective cars, Y/N couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in her chest. She pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. This was Spa, after all—a track that demanded complete concentration.
The race began smoothly enough. The first few laps were a blur of speed and precision, Y/N and Kimi both jostling for position among the top contenders. The rain that had threatened all weekend finally arrived, turning the already tricky circuit into a treacherous challenge. The track was slick, visibility was low, and the risk of aquaplaning was high.
Y/N was in her element, though. She had always excelled in wet conditions, her smooth driving style perfectly suited to the tricky circumstances. But as the laps ticked by, the race took on an increasingly chaotic tone. The rain intensified, and the gaps between the cars began to close as the drivers fought for grip.
On lap 22, everything changed.
Y/N was coming through Eau Rouge, one of the most iconic and dangerous corners in the world, when disaster struck. A car ahead lost control, spinning out on the slippery tarmac. Y/N saw it too late—there was no time to react. She slammed on the brakes, but her car aquaplaned, sending her into a violent spin.
The impact was brutal. Her car collided with the barriers at high speed, the force of the crash rattling her entire body. The world around her erupted into a cacophony of sound—metal crunching, tires screeching, the roar of the crowd suddenly silenced by the horror unfolding on the track.
Everything went dark.
---
When Y/N regained consciousness, she was aware of pain, sharp and insistent, radiating through her entire body. The sounds around her were muted, distant—voices, the wail of sirens, the urgent chatter of medics working to extract her from the wreckage. She could barely open her eyes, the world around her a blur of flashing lights and frantic motion.
