F1 One Shots Based On Songs

I Can Do It With A Broken Heart - Maxiel

Song for this chapter: I Can Do It With A Broken Heart - Taylor Swift

Max Verstappen stood in the dimly lit paddock, the roar of engines and the chatter of the crowd surrounding him like a distant echo. He was supposed to be focusing on the upcoming race, but his mind was elsewhere—stuck in the past, tangled in memories he couldn't seem to shake.

Daniel Ricciardo.

It had been years since they ended things, since Daniel had left Red Bull and taken a piece of Max's heart with him. At the time, Max had thought it was for the best. He was young, focused on his career, determined to make his mark on the world of Formula 1. There wasn't room for distractions—at least, that's what he had told himself.

But now, standing here with the memories gnawing at him, he couldn't help but wonder if he had made a mistake.

He glanced across the paddock, his eyes automatically searching for the familiar figure of Daniel. It was a habit he couldn't break, even after all these years. Daniel was still there, still smiling, still lighting up every room he walked into like nothing had changed.

But everything had changed.

Max shoved his hands into his pockets, trying to ignore the tightness in his chest. He had gotten good at pretending everything was fine. The world saw him as the reigning champion, the unstoppable force on the track. He had perfected the art of keeping it together, of flashing that winning smile even when his heart was breaking.

You're a real tough kid, you can handle your shit, he thought to himself, echoing the words his father had drilled into him during childhood. But no matter how many times he repeated them, they didn't feel true anymore. Not when it came to Daniel.

He watched as Daniel laughed with his new team, his easygoing charm on full display. It was like a knife twisting in Max's gut. There had been a time when that smile was his, when Daniel's eyes had sparkled just for him. But now, all Max could do was watch from the sidelines, pretending like it didn't tear him apart.

He had tried to move on. He had buried himself in his work, chasing victories and titles, hoping that the thrill of winning would fill the void Daniel had left behind. But no matter how many trophies he collected, it wasn't enough. The victories felt hollow, the celebrations empty.

And then there was the constant reminder of Daniel. The world hadn't forgotten about their partnership, their chemistry both on and off the track. Every time they crossed paths, the media couldn't help but stir up old memories, digging into wounds Max had tried so hard to heal.

"Max! Can we get a word?" A reporter's voice cut through his thoughts, snapping him back to the present.

He forced a smile, turning to face the camera. "Of course," he replied, his voice smooth and practiced.

The interview was a blur of questions about the race, his performance, the team's strategy—everything he had been trained to handle. He answered them all with precision, hitting his marks like the professional he was. But in the back of his mind, all he could think about was Daniel.

Since their breakup, Daniel had kept his distance. Oh, they were still friendly on the surface—cordial, even. But it wasn't the same. There was a wall between them now, a distance that Max couldn't bridge no matter how hard he tried.

He caught a glimpse of Daniel out of the corner of his eye, his laughter carrying over the noise of the paddock. Max's heart clenched, the pain sharp and familiar.

Max had thrown himself into his career after they broke up, determined to prove that he didn't need Daniel. And in a way, he had succeeded. He was the world champion, after all. But what was the point of winning if he felt so empty inside?