We're just friends...or are we.? |[ carlando]|

" exposed... " - 29

~ WHAT A RACE THIS WAS. MAX WON AND A DOUBLE PODIUM FOR ALPINE?? WOWOWOW..

We don't talk about how the race ( and qualifying) was testing my patience as the rain kept taking out my favorite drivers, Carlos, Nico, and Franco. ESPECIALLY Alex bro he didn't even get to start 😭

I'm super happy for Esteban and Pierre though! They deserved it sm!!!

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The buzz from a spectacular race was still fresh, and the post-race celebrations had left Carlos with a rush of emotions. Qualifying had gone well, but the race itself had exceeded all expectations. The battle was intense, with Charles charging forward from P4, overtaking Carlos, Max, and Lando with skill and precision.

Alonso and Liam were at each other’s throats for positions, and the penalties only added more drama. But Ferrari was untouchable today, Carlos and Charles pushing to the limits to secure a 1-2 finish. As they crossed the line, it felt like a dream come true.

Carlos leaped out of his car, his face breaking into a grin as he hugged Charles. For a moment, it was just them, the energy of the Ferrari team, and the immense pride of the race.

Together, they ran toward the barrier where the Ferrari crew was waiting, bouncing and chanting as the drivers joined the celebration. In that moment, Carlos forgot about everything else. He didn’t think about his heartbreak, or the silence between him and Lando. All he could feel was the euphoria of this victory with Ferrari.

The cool-down room offered a brief respite, a chance for the drivers to catch their breath and revel in the highlights. Carlos, Charles, and Max shared glances as they watched their overtakes and close battles play out on the screen, laughing and commenting on the footage. Max congratulated them both, and for a moment, everything felt simple—just the joy of racing and the satisfaction of hard work paying off.

The podium was exhilarating, with the Monaco and Italian anthems filling the air. Carlos and Charles sang along with the team, grinning ear to ear as the trophies were handed out.

When the champagne was finally sprayed, Carlos felt pure happiness as the cold liquid drenched him, Charles, and Max. They were on top of the world, and it was a feeling Carlos wanted to cling to, even though, deep down, the thought of Lando lingered in the back of his mind.

After the podium, the team picture was the cherry on top. Carlos and Charles laughed as they drenched each other with champagne once more, the whole Ferrari team shouting in celebration.

Hours passed as the adrenaline of the race slowly faded, and eventually, everything calmed down. The garages quieted, and the buzz from the paddock had softened. Yet as they settled in for debriefs, Carlos’s joy was tinged with a bittersweet ache.

Sitting next to Charles, Carlos tried to focus on the engineers’ analysis and suggestions for improvement, but his attention kept wandering. His gaze drifted unconsciously toward the McLaren garage, where he knew Lando would be finishing up his own debrief. The excitement of the day couldn’t fully chase away the loneliness that seemed to follow him.

Charles noticed the shift in Carlos’s demeanor. He could see his friend’s focus slipping, and he sensed that something more weighed heavily on him. Gently, he leaned over and placed a hand on Carlos’s shoulder, offering a quiet but sincere look of concern.

- “How are you holding up, Carlos?”

Charles asked softly.

Carlos shrugged, offering a faint smile.

- “I’m okay, just… you know. The race was amazing, and I should be happy. And I am, I really am. But it’s… complicated,”

he admitted, his voice trailing off as he tried to organize the thoughts swirling in his mind. He kept his gaze on the engineers, attempting to distract himself, but Charles’s presence was comforting.