Driven by Fate- CHARLES LECLERC

The Race for Glory

POV: Carlotta Damian

Austin was alive with excitement as the Texas sun shone down on the Circuit of the Americas. The air was thick with the roar of engines and the scent of burning rubber. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart as I stood in the Prema garage, preparing for the final qualifying session of the season. This was it. The third-to-last race of the year, and I was determined to make my mark.

René, the team principal, was pacing back and forth, glancing at the monitors that displayed various telemetry data from our practice sessions. "Alright, Carlotta, listen up," he said, his voice steady and authoritative. "You know the track better than anyone. Focus on your braking points and keep your lines clean. We need you to maximize your performance in these qualifying laps. You're capable of getting into the top three."

Ollie, my teammate and an incredibly talented driver, nodded in agreement. "Just remember, it's all about rhythm. Find your groove and stay in it."

I swallowed hard, the weight of their expectations hanging over me. "Got it," I replied, forcing a confident smile. I could do this. I had to do this.

As I adjusted my gloves, I caught sight of some familiar faces entering the garage. My breath hitched as Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen strolled in, exuding confidence and camaraderie. They greeted René with friendly banter, and I could feel my nerves heightening. Here I was, a rookie driver among legends.

Alfred, my mechanic, broke through my thoughts. "Hey, Carlotta, it's time to get into the car!" His voice cut through the tension, and I nodded, forcing myself to focus.

As I turned to grab my helmet, my heart sank. "Where's my helmet?" I looked around, panic rising. I had set it down just a moment ago.

"Ollie has it," Alfred said, trying to suppress a chuckle.

"What do you mean, Ollie has it?" I exclaimed, spotting Ollie across the paddock, wearing my helmet and laughing with some of the engineers.

Before I could process it, I took off running toward him. "Ollie! Give it back!" I shouted, a competitive spirit igniting within me.

He turned, feigning innocence. "What helmet?" he teased, bolting in the opposite direction.

I chased him through the paddock, weaving between the team members and engineers who looked on with amusement. "I swear, Ollie, if you don't give it back, I'll make sure you don't make it past the top ten!"

"Big words for someone who's about to qualify!" he shot back, still sprinting away.

The laughter of my fellow drivers faded into the background as the adrenaline kicked in. I was determined to catch him. I lunged forward, tackling him to the ground. We tumbled onto the grass, and I snatched my helmet from his grasp.

"Got it!" I exclaimed triumphantly.

Ollie groaned in defeat. "Alright, alright. Just don't leave me behind in the race!"

I grinned, slipping the helmet on and securing it tightly. As I walked back toward the car, I noticed Charles and the others standing a little ways off, their laughter still echoing in my ears.

"Hey, Damian!" Leclerc called, a teasing smile on his face. "You better make sure that helmet doesn't give you too many problems out there!"

I smirked back, my competitive spirit flaring. "I promise to leave you all with your mouth open."

With one last look at my competitors, I slid into my car, feeling the familiar rush of anticipation. The crew buzzed around me, and I focused on my breathing, readying myself for the upcoming challenge.