the F1 journey begins | Part 2

Chapter 21 : Sprint Race!

(Charles' POV)

    As I quickly got in the car and made sure that the radio was doing well, I saw cameras looking at me. It was probably on TSN 1 live on TV. I started the car as I drove out on the pit lane.

    "Be careful, Charles. Remember yesterday, do not worry us more, including your girlfriend." I heard my engineer tell me as I smiled. Thank god no one could see me under the helmet. My girlfriend. "I will be careful." I reassured him as I heard him let off a sigh of relief.
      
        I loved this team. Every win I have had with Ferrari was special in its own way. It has made me realised how much this team meant to me as a driver. I have had ups and downs with the team but it has never stopped me from doing what I can to stay on top. I drove around as I had to warm the tires. I was P5. I was amazed after yesterday. The red flag had caused all top 10 drivers to stay the same as their latest lap position. I had gotten lucky in my opinion. I drove and prepared the car as I looked behind me and saw some cars come up. I had to ask my engineer for everyone's position.

P20 Logan
P19 Checo
P18 Alonso
P17 Alex
P16 Magnussen
P15 Yuki
P14 Valtteri
P13 Zhou
P12 Esteban
P11 Gasly
P10 Daniel
P9 Hulkenberg
P8 Lance
P7 George
P6 Lewis
P5 Charles
P4 Oscar
P3 Max
P2 Carlos
P1 Lando

That was the order. As the engineer had just finished, I noticed all the cars were now lined up. Preparing to go. I heard the radio on as I heard everyone pray. I had to do my best. I kept my eye on the lights. AND ITS LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO! I pressed on the gas as hard as I could as I checked behind and saw that Lewis was fighting with George to regain the position. We went through turn one as I noticed Lando had already lost a place to Carlos. We had 19 laps. I saw that Oscar wasn't doing well so I went by him in turn 5.

And going by turn 6, Daniel gaining 2 positions at one turn! Wonderful. Carlos now in first position as Lando lost it in turn 1. Always unlucky at turn 1.. BUT THERE IS NO NEED FOR ANY BAD LUCK TO STAY AS HE IS NOW RIGHT NEXT TO THE SPANIARD AND HAS TAKEN BACK THE LEAD! WELL DONE PAPAYA!

I asked my engineer again for more information as he said we were at P2 and P4 now. I heard Monique talk as I knew she was explaining to Leah something about the car. I kept pressing as I saw Verstappen right in front of me. "Max, just half a second away." I heard him say. I knew the gap. "I know, let me work my magic." I replied as he turned the radio off. I also turned it off. Right after some laps, I had really closed the gap as I went by the Dutch at turn 8. We had a small fight as he overtook me again. It was hot in the car. Very hot. Miami was known for the hot weather.

And we are driving in Miami, half way through the Sprint race as more overtakes are happening. Take a look at Checo get P17 as Alex Albon is now P14. Logan still last as Magnussen lost some places. Oscar too, so did Hamilton, Verstappen, Stroll and 3 other drivers. Wonderful race, wonderful weather, great atmosphere this weekend. Maybe Lando could win this race and the official one. That would be good domination. Anyway, looks like the drivers are now chilling and getting through the track as I see Charles and Carlos just some seconds away from each other. Just a reminder that Charles is winning the Driver's Championship and so is Ferrari. McLaren right behind them with just 70 points away from the Constructors Championship. Charles with 138 points with his team mate Carlos behind him with 92 points. Lando right behind Carlos, though with 85 points in the league. The trio doing well to keep the domination up and running. Lando speeding through the track to get this over with. Cannot believe how Ferrari and McLaren have taken over the Redbull's in their domination and now are in 3rd at the Constructors. I really should study the Redbull's downfall as I feel sad for them too. It wasn't such a nice way to go down.

I had told my engineer to put on what the commentator was saying about us, Ferrari and the boys, just out of curiosity. I drove well, I felt like this was something that helped me continue in the strong pace.

(Faith's POV)

As I was watching Lando's every move on TV, I decided to text the girls. I hated the fact that I couldn't be with them at that time, I had to be there to watch Lando not Carlos or Charles. I decided, though, that whilst the real race, I'd spend the first half with them at the Ferrari Garage. I felt relieved that Charles was feeling better. It affected the group. Badly. We had become like a family. We were all now so close. If something happened to one, everyone would be worried to death. The way I saw Lando and Carlos' eyes lit up when they saw their friend feeling better after the crash, had made my day. We really needed each other. We had made the boys' life better.

    Lando had actually told me that before us, all they would do is go out and party till they were fully drunk. They had only gone out in between seasons or breaks. The fact that me and the girls had changed their lives into something better than just Formula 1 24/7, was something healthy. I loved it. I saw the race go on for a while as I heard Lando on the radio.

   Lando still in the lead. Carlos behind him with Max and Charles too. I see Charles make the move! THEY'RE FIGHTING! THEY ARE ACTUALLY FIGHTING! AND CHARLES HAS ALMOST.......HAS PASSED MAX. THAT WAS A GREAT FIGHT. Team radio for Lando.

Lando : Man, I'm loosing grip.

McLaren Engineer : How bad is it?

Lando : You muppet, you have to tell me from the freaking data!

McLaren Engineer : Right, sorry mate, it looks fine.

Lando : Doesn't feel like it, though. How many laps?

McLaren Engineer : Just 5 laps, you can do it. For her.

Lando : It always will be for her.

     I couldn't help but smile as I heard Lando say those words. I watched the TV as I was now on it. I could only smile as I looked over to the TV. Time went by. The last lap was in place.

     As the last lap of this sprint race in the Miami International Track, Lando still in front, potential first win this weekend. I'm honestly cheering for Lando, he does deserve this win. He's been dominating almost everything this weekend. As I am now watching Leclerc take a lunge at his own teammate, team radio.

Ferrari Engineer : Do not fight Carlos. No need.

Charles : Alright, but tell him to push more, Max is right behind me.

Ferrari Engineer : Copy that.

    He was right, I watched the TV show how close Max was. Right. On. His. Tail. Charles knew he needed Carlos. Lando was not with a 5 second gap. I smiled as I heard the commentator's voice get louder in my headphones.

   And the Brit is just 2 corners away from this mini win. Reminder we still have a qualifying to do after this light race of 19 laps. Just 18 laps and a half of domination from the McLaren Brit as he is racing through to get this small win! And he has done it! Well done Lando and McLaren for that awesome come back. Team radio.

McLaren Engineer : Well done Lando.

Lando : Only half way done. Well done team. Let's go. Oh, how this feeling is nice, Will.

McLaren Engineer : You deserve it bud. This weekend will be ours.

     Just two last things to do for him to win. Get P1 in Qualifying and the official race.