On and Off the Track

E I G H T Y F I V E.

Qualifying day had arrived, and the energy in the paddock was cranked up a notch. The buzz of excitement mixed with the tension of what was at stake for the drivers. Everyone seemed to be moving with purpose, the familiar frenzy of cameras flashing, fans trying to catch glimpses of their favourite racers, and media swarming the entrance. I sat in Ferrari hospitality, sipping my coffee and waiting for the day to fully begin. Charles had already left for the pre-qualifying briefings, and I was content to take my time, watching the paddock spring to life. I glanced at my phone, scrolling through social media when something outside caught my eye. It was Lando, walking into the paddock with a familiar figure beside him, Yvie. My eyes followed them for a moment, curiosity piqued. Yvie looked noticeably tense, her shoulders stiff as if she were hyper-aware of all the attention on her. It wasn't surprising, being in the paddock always drew attention, and being with someone like Lando only amplified it. I could tell that Yvie was trying to keep her head up, but the weight of the stares, the cameras, and the whispers from onlookers was evident. She was doing her best to appear calm, but I could see through it. There was a vulnerability there, one that I knew all too well from my own early days in the paddock. The intense scrutiny, the constant feeling of being watched. it wasn't easy, especially when you weren't used to it. But something clicked as I watched them. It suddenly made sense why Lando had been looking more energised, happier even. Yvie was there, supporting him. I remember my conversation with isa how she said they were constantly off and on. But the way they were I knew instantly that they were at a good point in their relationship. He would look over at her every few steps, giving her small, reassuring smiles, and it didn't take long for her to return them, albeit hesitantly. They weren't touchy, not holding hands or making any grand public displays, but the connection was there, subtle yet unmistakable. I could see it. The way he seemed protective, making sure she was comfortable despite the attention. It was as though her being there was enough to ease his mind, and in turn, his demeanour had shifted. I felt a strange mix of emotions. I wasn't jealous; I was genuinely happy for Lando. But seeing Yvie in the paddock, in what had once been a place I had been, stirred something inside me. It was surreal, a reminder of how much things had changed. We had both moved on, clearly in different directions, and it was a good thing. Still, it was odd to see the reality of it play out in front of me.

I watched as they moved further into the paddock, Lando occasionally glancing around at the people, but his focus remained mostly on her. It was a side of him I hadn't seen in a long time. A calmness, a contentment that hadn't been there in a while. As they disappeared into McLaren hospitality, I let out a small breath I hadn't realised I was holding. It was funny how life worked, I thought. Just a year ago, I might have been in Yvie's position, walking into the paddock beside Lando, trying to ignore the cameras and the eyes on me. But now, here I was, fully at ease in Ferrari's corner, waiting for Charles to finish his pre-qualifying work, a quiet confidence settling in. I couldn't help but smile to myself. Things had shifted, but in a good way. Lando seemed happy. And I? I had found my place too, with Charles, someone who, despite his initial closed-off, arsehole nature, had opened up to me in ways I would have never expected. I took another sip of my coffee, glancing at the track schedule for the day. There was still some time before the qualifying session began, and I made a mental note to keep an eye on how Lando performed. Maybe the new dynamic in his life was exactly what he needed to get back into his rhythm. As for me, I had my own life to focus on. One that was shaping up just the way I wanted it. As I finished my coffee, the paddock continued to buzz with its usual energy. Qualifying was approaching, and the tension in the air was palpable. I stayed in my seat for a few more moments, reflecting on how much had changed, not just for Lando, but for me as well.

After a while, I decided to take a stroll through the paddock. I waved at a few familiar faces and smiled at some of the partners and friends of drivers I had come to know. Walking through the F1 paddock had become second nature to me, a far cry from those early days when every glance and every whisper seemed directed at me. Now, it felt like a second home, and I was comfortable in it. As I made my way toward the media area, my thoughts wandered back to Yvie. I couldn't shake the strange feeling of recognition I had seen in her eyes. It was as if she was living through what I had experienced before—finding her footing, dealing with the attention, and trying to stay grounded amidst the chaos of Formula 1. Just as I was about to head back to Ferrari hospitality, I bumped into Kelly and Isa, who were deep in conversation. Isa spotted me first and waved me over excitedly.
"Hey, you! I've been looking for you," Isa said with a bright smile. "We were just talking about grabbing tacos before qualifying, I'm addicted. Want to join?" I grinned.
"How could I say no to tacos?" We made our way to one of the food stalls in the paddock, laughing and chatting as we went. After grabbing our food, we sat at one of the outdoor tables, the sun casting a golden glow over the paddock. As we ate, I noticed a couple of F1 media people snapping photos from a distance. I wasn't surprised; girlfriends of driver's hanging out together always seemed to draw attention, especially during race weekends. But even amidst the laughter, my mind drifted back to Yvie. I knew how daunting it could be to be thrust into the spotlight, especially when dating someone like Lando. I knew the feeling all too well.