|Love 4 Apex| Lando Norris

🏎 19 - Lando Now Wins

The city lights of Singapore shimmered against the dark sky, casting a surreal glow over the Marina Bay Circuit. The air was thick with humidity, clinging to every surface as the crowd buzzed with anticipation. Rose stood by her car, feeling the heat press against her skin through the layers of her race suit. The noise of the paddock swirled around her—a mix of engines revving, team radios crackling, and the low murmur of the spectators—but all of it felt like background noise to the storm of thoughts in her head.

Tonight was different.

For the first time in her career, Rose was starting on pole. The weight of it hung in the air, but so did the thrill. It was a monumental moment—one she'd dreamt of since the beginning. Mercedes and McLaren were locked in a fierce battle for the constructor's championship, and with Lando Norris starting in P2 for McLaren, the fight would be close. Lewis Hamilton, her Mercedes teammate and a key contender for the driver's championship, sat in P3, while Daniel Ricciardo, in the second McLaren, was P4. Max Verstappen, fighting Lewis for the driver's title, was lined up in P5, always a threat.

She took a deep breath, trying to push away the distractions—the media storm that had erupted since the photos with Franco hit the headlines, and every unnecessary feeling that threatened to pull her focus. Everything outside this moment needed to fade. None of that mattered now. Her only focus was on the race ahead—this was her sanctuary, the place where the noise of the world couldn't touch her.

A team member stood beside her, pouring cold water down the back of her neck. The brief relief was a sharp contrast to the heavy heat sticking to her skin. The cool droplets ran down her spine but quickly vanished in the sweltering air, leaving her still soaked in sweat. She nodded in thanks, knowing the real battle with the heat was just beginning.

Adjusting her gloves, she focused on the task at hand. The Singapore Grand Prix was known for being a grueling test of endurance, with its narrow streets and suffocating heat. Every corner demanded precision; every second counted. With Lando right behind her and Lewis fighting for the driver's championship, the pressure was immense—but this was her moment.

Her gaze drifted across the paddock and landed on Franco. He was deep in conversation with his team, unaware of her brief glance. Franco had done a great job putting his Williams in P6—a very impressive performance for his debut. It was the highest qualifying position for Williams since she herself had placed P3 at Suzuka last year. A knot of unease twisted in her stomach, but she shoved it aside. This wasn't about him, or the complications between them. This was about her, and the race. Personal drama could wait.

Lando walked past, helmet in hand. For a brief moment, their eyes met. His expression was neutral, but there was something unreadable in his gaze—a flicker of concern, or maybe something else. Rose looked away quickly, straightening her spine. She couldn't let herself get distracted by anything, or anyone.

Her performance coach's voice cut through the chaos, steady and professional, though Rose could hear the concern beneath it. "Are you ready?"

Rose nodded, though her mind was racing. She had to be ready. She had no choice. "Yeah. I'm good."

As the countdown to the formation lap began, the tension in the air thickened. Rose climbed into her car, the familiar feel of the cockpit grounding her, pulling her focus back to where it needed to be. She strapped on her helmet, the roar of the engine vibrating through her body as she started the car.

"Radio check," Mark, her race engineer's voice crackled through her earpiece.

"Loud and clear," she replied, her voice steady as her heartbeat quickened.

The lights flickered on for the formation lap, and one by one, the cars rolled forward. Rose guided her Mercedes smoothly onto the track, leading the pack for the first time. The tires squealed as they warmed up, the familiar feel of the car beneath her brought comfort. She could feel every vibration, every bump in the road as the track lights blurred past her in streaks of bright white and soft amber.