Carlos Sainz had always been focused on the race. Every lap, every turn, every gear shift had a purpose. But as he stood in the garage at Monza, the sound of the engines revving in the background, something—or rather, someone—had started to pull his attention away from the circuit. Her name was Y/N.
Y/N was new to the team, a data analyst fresh out of university and sharper than most. She’d been assigned to Carlos' race engineering crew, crunching numbers and analyzing telemetry to help him push the car to its limits. Quiet, focused, and brilliant, she had quickly gained respect from everyone in the paddock. But for Carlos, it was something more.
The first time their eyes met, it was brief, during a team debrief after a practice session. She was pointing out an anomaly in the tire wear data, but there was something in her gaze that caught him off guard. A spark, a flicker of recognition, something familiar and warm that unsettled him in a way no race car ever had.
As the Italian Grand Prix weekend progressed, their interactions became more frequent. A glance here, a shared smile there. They were small moments, but Carlos felt them intensely, like the milliseconds that separated victory from defeat.
On the morning of the race, Carlos found Y/N in the garage, leaning over a laptop, reviewing the strategy for the day. The air was thick with anticipation, and the smell of burning rubber lingered around them. She looked up as he approached.
"Everything looks good?" Carlos asked, leaning on the counter beside her.
Y/N smiled, pushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Looks solid. You’re in for a good race today. Keep an eye on the front-left, though. It’s running hotter than expected in the simulations."
Carlos nodded, appreciating her sharp attention to detail. "Thanks. I’ll make sure to watch it."
For a moment, neither of them said anything. The noise of the garage seemed to fade into the background as they stood close, the tension between them almost palpable. Carlos hesitated, feeling the weight of words he wanted to say but wasn’t sure he should.
"Y/N," he began, his voice low, "I’ve been meaning to ask... After the race, would you—"
Before he could finish, the team manager called his name, signaling it was time for him to suit up. The moment was broken, but not forgotten. Y/N’s eyes lingered on him for just a second longer than usual before she gave a soft nod.
"Good luck out there, Carlos."
---
The race was a blur of speed and strategy. Carlos fought hard, overtaking rivals with precision and skill, his mind focused on every move. But somewhere, between the adrenaline and the roar of the crowd, his thoughts drifted back to Y/N. He wanted to make her proud, to show her that he was more than just the driver she worked for—he was someone who saw her, who admired her not only for her intellect but for everything she was.
Crossing the finish line in third place, Carlos felt the rush of triumph, but his mind was already elsewhere. As he pulled into the pit lane, the cheers of the crowd ringing in his ears, his eyes searched for her. And there she was, standing by the garage, her expression a mix of pride and something deeper.
After the podium ceremony, Carlos made his way back to the garage. The team was celebrating, but his focus was on Y/N. She was standing off to the side, smiling softly as she watched the festivities. He walked over, heart pounding harder than it had during the race.
"You were incredible today," she said as he approached, her eyes meeting his.
"Thanks," Carlos replied, his voice quieter now that they were alone again. "I wanted to finish higher, but P3 will do."
She laughed lightly. "You fought hard. That’s what matters."
There was a pause, the world around them slowing as they stood face-to-face. Carlos took a deep breath, the words he had wanted to say all weekend finally rising to the surface.
"Y/N... About earlier. I was going to ask—after this, do you want to grab a drink? Just the two of us?"
Y/N’s smile grew wider, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I’d like that, Carlos. I’d really like that."
Carlos grinned, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. "Great. After all this, I’ll meet you by the paddock exit?"
She nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It’s a date."
And as they stood there, surrounded by the chaos and celebration of race day, Carlos felt something shift. The track, the competition, the roar of the engines—they would always be his world. But now, standing in front of Y/N, he realized he was ready to let someone else in too.
