On and Off the Track

E I G H T Y N I N E.

The next morning, I woke up early, excitement buzzing through me. It was qualifying day. The sun was streaming through the hotel window, and outside, I could hear the faint chatter and excitement from others getting ready for the big day. Stretching out, I felt a rush of energy and anticipation. We quickly got ready and made our way to the track, heading straight to his driver's room to watch Arthur's race. Charles was pacing in front of the TV, clearly nervous and focused. His attention was glued to the screen, where the live broadcast of Arthur's sprint race was just starting. There was something so endearing about how invested Charles was in his younger brother's career. It made me smile.
"Is he racing now?" I asked, slipping my phone into my bag and heading over to sit beside him.
"Yeah, just started," Charles replied, eyes still fixed on the screen. "I hate watching him race, it makes me so nervous.
"Yeah, I get that," I said, sliding next to him and glancing at the screen. "That's exactly how I feel every time you're out there. Except I don't sit here tapping my foot like a nervous dad." Charles smirked, his eyes still glued to the TV.
"Really? You don't seem that stressed." I let out a small laugh.
"Oh, trust me, inside, I'm freaking out. I'm just better at hiding it. You, on the other hand, look like you're about to have a meltdown." He finally looked over at me, raising an eyebrow, before letting out a small laugh. I watched as Charles leaned forward, completely engrossed. He was so proud, and the determination on his face made it clear how much this meant to him. As the race progressed, I could see Charles getting more and more tense, fingers tapping nervously on the armrest.
"Come on, Arthur!" he shouted, leaning even closer to the screen as Arthur made a bold move on the track. I joined in, cheering alongside him.
"He's doing amazing! Look at him go!"  The tension in the room built as the race went on, and even though I knew Charles had his own qualifying to think about, right now, it was all about Arthur. We both watched, holding our breath as Arthur fought hard, manoeuvring through the pack with such skill. By the end of the sprint, when Arthur crossed the finish line in a solid position, Charles jumped up, fist-pumping the air.
"Yes! That's my brother!" he shouted, his whole face lit up with pride. I couldn't help but laugh, feeling so happy for both of them.
"He did incredible! You must be so proud." Charles turned to me, a huge grin still on his face.
"I am. He deserves this so much."

As the adrenaline from Arthur's race began to settle, I watched Charles quickly shift gears. His focus switched to his own qualifying, and I admired the way he could go from supportive brother to dedicated driver in an instant. He started going through his routine, checking his gear, reviewing his track notes, fully absorbed in his preparations. I sat back, admiring him quietly.
"Do you need anything?" I asked, trying to keep the atmosphere light.
"Just need to get my mind in the right place," Charles replied, pulling on his race suit. "I'll be ready in a few." I nodded, stepping back to give him space. I knew how important these moments were for him. While he focused, I took a moment to gather my thoughts too. The excitement of the day was already bubbling inside me. After checking my outfit one last time and snapping a few selfies to capture the moment.

Once inside Ferrari's garage, I found my spot and made sure I had a clear view of the action. I watched as Charles dove into discussions with his team, going over strategies and last-minute adjustments. It was always impressive to see him in his element, so confident yet completely aware of the pressure. As the minutes ticked away, I could feel the tension rising. I exchanged excited glances with the isa and others standing in the garage to watch, all of us eager for qualifying to start. Arthur joined us, still buzzing from his sprint race earlier that morning.
"Hey, did you see my lap times?" he asked, practically bouncing with excitement. "I think I can carry this momentum into the main race tomorrow."
"You were fantastic!" I said, genuinely thrilled for him.

The announcement for qualifying echoed through the air, and my heart raced along with the countdown. I watched Charles put on his helmet and gloves, the focus returning to his eyes. One by one, the cars sped out onto the track. The atmosphere was electric, with fans on the other side of the barrier holding their breath in excitement. As the laps started, I kept my eyes glued to the monitors. My heart pounded, a mix of nerves and pride welling up inside me. The skill and precision of every driver were captivating, but it was Charles I couldn't take my eyes off. When Q3 finally approached, my heart raced even faster. I watched as he expertly navigated the corners, his car gliding through each turn with grace and precision. The radio crackled to life, and I could hear his voice, calm, collected, as he communicated with the team.
"Come on, Charles! You've got this!" I whispered under my breath, my palms sweating as the seconds ticked down. I leaned forward, holding my breath, eyes glued to the screen as I watched him cross the finish line. The timing screens lit up, and I could hardly believe my eyes when his name flashed in second place, just behind the Lando.
"P2! P2!" I shouted, my heart soaring. The people around me erupted in cheers, high-fiving one another, but I felt like I was floating. Charles pulled into the pit lane, a broad grin spreading across his face as he hopped out of the car, adrenaline still coursing through him. As the excitement continued around us, I turned to Arthur, who was beaming with pride.
"I hope he's happy with that"
"He will be, it's a good position to start the race in," Arthur replied, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
"We should head over to hospitality to wait for him," I suggested, feeling a rush of excitement. "Good idea! Plus, I could use a drink after all that adrenaline," Arthur said, chuckling as we made our way through the bustling paddock As we walked side by side, the energy in the air was palpable. Fans were still cheering, and the buzz of the teams around us added to the electric atmosphere. Once we reached the Ferrari hospitality area, I found a spot with a good view of the paddock while Arthur grabbed a couple of drinks from the bar.
"Here you go! A little something to celebrate," he said, handing me a glass of lemonade.
"Cheers to that!" I raised my drink and clinked it against his. "I'm so proud of him."
"Me too. He's been working his ass off. I can't wait to see what he does in the race," Arthur said, taking a sip. We chatted and laughed, the anticipation for Charles's return buzzing between us. Charles made his way straight towards me, and before I knew it, he enveloped me in a tight hug.
"You did it!" I exclaimed, beaming with pride. "I knew you could!"
"Thanks! It feels so good!" he replied, still riding the high of his performance. For a moment, the chaos of the paddock around us faded away. It was just us. "Now, we just need to keep this momentum for the race," he said, his focus already shifting to the next challenge.
"you will," I promised, my voice steady with conviction.  Charles smiled, and my heart swelled with affection. The rest of the afternoon was a blur of post-qualifying celebrations, mingling with the team, and soaking in the achievement. Everyone was buzzing with excitement, but my attention kept drifting back to Charles and how proud I was of him.