|Love 4 Apex| Lando Norris

🏎 1 - The Starting Line

The engines roared in the distance as Rose leaned against the pit wall, watching the F1 cars zip by. It was race day at Silverstone, one of the most iconic circuits on the calendar. Rose had secured P3 in qualifying, a solid result she was proud of, especially with Lando Norris starting right behind her in P4. The competition between them had always been fierce, and today's race promised to be no different.

It was her third season in Formula 1 but her first with Mercedes. As the first female driver in F1 history, she had faced immense pressure when she debuted with Williams two years ago. Now, after proving herself on the track, the focus was on her performance, not her gender. The intensity of media attention had eased, and Rose had grown into her role as a top-tier driver.

At just 21, Rose had already made her mark, having won the Formula 2 championship before moving up to F1. She had raced alongside Lando for years, and their rivalry had become a defining part of both their careers. Lando, in his fourth season with McLaren, was known for his sharp racing instincts, but neither of them had yet claimed that coveted first Grand Prix win.

As if on cue, Lando appeared, strolling over with his usual cheeky grin, helmet in hand.

"Look at you," he teased, glancing at her Mercedes uniform. "First season with Mercedes, and you're already Lewis Hamilton's teammate. Big-time now, huh?"

Rose smirked, leaning back against the wall. "What can I say? Mercedes likes making history, like partnering the first female driver in F1."

Lando chuckled. "Meanwhile, I'm still trying to keep Daniel from running me off the track at McLaren."

Rose rolled her eyes, a grin tugging at her lips. "Please, Danny is probably doing all the work while you're goofing off."

Lando placed a hand over his chest, pretending to be offended. "Excuse me, I take my goofing off very seriously."

Rose laughed, nudging him lightly. "Yeah, I've seen your Instagram. It's a miracle McLaren hasn't kicked you out yet."

Their easy banter filled the air. Despite the intense competition of Formula 1, their friendship remained strong, built on years of shared experiences both on and off the track.

"So, how's Danny?" Rose asked, shifting the conversation. "Still pretending to be the serious one?"

"Oh, absolutely," Lando said, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "But don't be fooled—he's just as bad as me. We've got some pranks lined up for the team."

Rose shook her head, smiling. "You two are trouble."

"Hey, teamwork makes the dream work, right?"

"Sure," Rose replied, smirking. "If the dream is to get both of you kicked out of McLaren."

Lando grinned widely, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Nah, Dan and I are the dream team." He chuckled, leaning back casually. "Anyway, how about we make this race a little more interesting?"

As they continued to joke, Rose couldn't help but think about their long-standing rivalry. They had been counting their wins over each other since they were kids, and though Rose was fiercely competitive, they were now tied—140 wins each. The thought lingered at the back of her mind as they both eyed their first Formula 1 Grand Prix victory.

Rose crossed her arms, smirking. "A bet?"

Lando winked. "Loser buys dinner. Winner picks the restaurant."

Rose raised an eyebrow, her competitive side sparking. "Alright, but if I win, we're going somewhere fancy. I'm talking silverware and tablecloths."

Lando raised his eyebrows, impressed. "Wow, aiming high, huh? Fine, but when I win, we're going to that little Italian place with paper menus."

Rose snorted. "You wish, Norris. I'll be the one celebrating at the finish line."

They exchanged competitive glances, but the playful banter continued. Their friendship had grown over the years, strengthened by their shared passion for racing and the history they had together. Their fathers had been close friends, and they'd grown up racing side by side. Now, they were fighting for their first Grand Prix victory, but some things—like their connection—never changed.

Lando pulled on his helmet, grinning as he headed back toward his garage. "Don't get too comfortable with your P3. I'll be right behind you."

Rose smirked, giving him a light nudge. "We'll see. Maybe I'll have dinner ordered by the time you cross the line."

Lando laughed as he jogged back toward McLaren's side, but Rose stood there a moment longer, watching him. Their relationship had always been full of fun and jokes, but for Rose, it felt like something more. Something Lando, in all his obliviousness, hadn't quite noticed.

But that was racing—fast, unpredictable, and always full of surprises.

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What a fun start, right? 😏

Rose and Lando's friendship is full of banter, but there's definitely something more simmering under the surface! 🔥 Do you think Rose is right about Lando being oblivious, or could he be hiding his true feelings? 👀

And let's not forget that bet—dinner's on the line! Who's going to win this one? 🏁 Stick around because things are about to get even more interesting, both on and off the track! Thanks for reading, and let me know what you think! ❤️