|Love 4 Apex| Lando Norris

🏎 28 - Boundaries Set

Lando leaned back in his seat, eyes trained on the clouds passing beneath them. His thoughts were drifting back to the conversation he'd had with Magui this morning. Her words replayed in his mind like a recording, every sentence resonating with a weight he hadn't fully processed yet. The gynecologist had confirmed it: Magui was pregnant. She was carrying his child. The simple reality of it settled over him like a heavy, invisible blanket. Days ago, it had been just a test, an uncertain whisper of what could be. But now, with the confirmation from the doctor, everything felt so much more vivid and daunting.

It was like the air around him had thickened, every breath steeped in a mixture of excitement and fear. He thought about the life that could be forming, of becoming a father, and a surge of protectiveness mingled with sheer panic gripped his chest. He had promised her he'd be there right after the Brazilian Grand Prix in two weeks, but even now, as he soared above the clouds, he couldn't shake the unease simmering within him. Could he really be the person they both might need him to be?

He glanced at Carlos beside him, who seemed deeply engrossed in a golf competition on his screen. Carlos glanced over, sensing Lando's quiet tension.

"Something up, mate?" Carlos asked, his tone casual yet laced with curiosity.

Lando hesitated, caught between the comfort of confiding in his friend and the overwhelming need to keep it all under wraps. He let out a small, nervous laugh, shrugging slightly.

"Just... a lot on my mind, I guess. Life stuff," Lando replied, his gaze dropping to the tablet clutched in his hands.

Carlos, always one to read between the lines, gave a knowing nod. "You know you can tell me anything, right? I might be better at cars than feelings, but I'm here."

Lando managed a smile, feeling the warmth of his friend's sincerity. He took a breath, letting the words sit heavy in his chest, and for a moment, he considered telling Carlos everything. But he stopped short, choosing instead to focus on the only thing he could control right now—the race ahead.

Shifting the conversation, he forced a lighter tone. "Let's just say I'll be counting on this weekend's race to keep my head straight."

Carlos gave him a long look, then cracked a reassuring smile. "Well then, even if Ferrari's not really doing well on my side, we'll make it one hell of a race, hermano."

Lando grinned, feeling a bit of his tension ease. "You're right, Carlito. Let's make it one to remember."

As they neared Mexico City, Lando looked out the window, the city lights blinking beneath them like a beacon. In two weeks, he'd be in Portugal, ready to face whatever awaited him. For now, all he could do was race, letting the adrenaline drown out the voices and focus on the only thing that had ever made sense to him.

The paddock buzzed with energy as race week unfolded. Crowds gathered around, reporters jostling for position, while team engineers and mechanics darted between the garages, all in the relentless rhythm of Formula 1. Lando felt the familiar tension simmering within him—a blend of eagerness and determination that kept him razor-focused. This race was his shot at redemption, a chance to erase the sting of his DNF from last week and bag crucial points for the constructor's championship.

Every detail had to be perfect. He had to be in sync with the car, his team, and the track. The stakes had never felt higher, and he'd made it clear to everyone around him that his focus was unshakable. The team needed those points, and he intended to deliver.

As free practice began, Lando felt the car responding in his hands, every vibration and shift in the steering wheel giving him feedback. He listened carefully to the engineers' instructions, fine-tuning the setup, searching for that perfect balance that would give him an edge. With each lap, his confidence grew. The car felt solid, the setup dialed in, and he could sense his team's cautious optimism as they pored over the data.