Three Dumb Ideas | Formula 1 fanfiction

111: The two of us

AUTHORS NOTE = And then finally, the day we all have been waiting for (Believe me, I waited longer than you all hihi). It's race day in Abu Dhabi. Let me just explain that these next few chapters will be nothing like real racing, mostly because it'll fit more in this story. I hope y'all won't mind. ALSO, I will not be held accountable for therapy costs or any of that.

Kind regards, love y'all. Xxx.

- Norriszz

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Sunday, race day

Maeve's point of view

It's the morning before the final race. It is heavy with anticipation, but here in Max's private room it is calm. There is a familiar hum of energy in the paddock outside, everyone is in a rush to prepare for the big day but Max and I got some time to clear our minds before this race, which obviously we are spending together.

I'm laying on a couch that only a toddler could fit completely in, but I'm managing. I'm wrapped in the kind of quiet that only happens when everything else has been stripped away.

Max is sitting on the low bench by the wall, elbows on his knees and his hands loosely clasped in front of him. Relaxed in a way that surprises me, his usual intensity softened by this quiet moment. His eyes are drifting to the floor before lifting to meet mine.

'You ready?', he asks, his voice low, almost as if he's afraid to break the stillness.

I smile, nodding. 'I think so', I reply, though my heart is already racing. It's impossible not to feel the pressure. Everything we've worked for, every point, every lap, it all comes down to today.

Max looks at me, his gaze holding steady, then he reaches out, gently pulling me over to sit beside him. His arm finds its way around my shoulder, hugging me as I lean into him.

'We've got this', he murmurs, his voice steady and sure. It's not about him or me right now, it's about us, together, in this race. I feel his confidence in me seep into my own nerves, filling every anxious gap with a quiet kind of certainty.

I take a deep breath, resting my head against his shoulder. 'I don't know what happens next, Max', I admit, a confession that feels both raw and real.

His hand slides down to find mine, our fingers intertwining. 'Neither do I', he says, his tone soft but unwavering. 'But... as long as we're in this together, it'll be worth it'.

'But will it be you and I?', I sigh. 'What if this championship ruins us'.

'Oh schatje', he laughs. 'Not even the gods above, could separate the two of us, I promise you that, my girl'.

I feel like crying because of his words. It's a simple promise, but one that seems to carry the weight of everything we've built this season, our rivalry, our partnership, and whatever else it is that exists between us.

For a few minutes more, we sit like that, our breaths in sync, wrapped in a stillness that feels almost sacred. I know we'll be leaving for the track soon, both of us ready to give it everything we've got. But for now, in this small, quiet room, it's enough to just be here with him.

Sienna's point of view

Luciana and I are on our way to the last stop, Maeve Vettel. We on our way to the garage, the paddock filled with excitement.

'Miss Sainz! Miss Vasseur!', a interviewer calls out.

We turn around and I notice it's my favorite female interviewer ever.

'Elle!', I smile. 'With what can we help?'

'Hello there, Sienna and Luciana. Do you mind answering some questions?', she blushes.

---

Elle: I have to ask, with Maeve and Max tied in points, do either of you secretly root for one of them, especially with Maeve being your best friend?

Luci: I think they both deserve it, but secretly we might cheer a little louder for Maeve, to see her make history.

Sienna: Max is incredible but indeed, Maeve's journey has been amazing to watch.

Elle: Both of you are currently dating drivers, how do you keep Charles and Lando calm when the stakes are high?

Sienna: Well, Lando appreciates a distraction, so we joke around a lot, I give him... distraction *laugh*

Luciana: I remind Charles that he doesn't need to prove anything to anyone but himself, remind him of all his achievements.

Elle: Maeve and Max have been neck-and-neck all season. You know Maeve very closely of course, did it impact their dynamic as teammates?

Sienna: Nope, there is a silent understanding between them.

Luciana: I agree, it's inspiring to see them so driven, to see any teammates so driven. They know how to keep it professional, which isn't easy.

*Laughing from Sienna*

Elle: Are there moments this season where you were more worried for Charles and Lando's safety on the track?

Luciana: Definitely. There have been a few tight moments, but Charles is always so focused. It helps ease my nerves.

Sienna: Seeing crashes always scares me, even if Lando's not involved. Safety is a constant worry, but he's good at calming me down.

Elle: What has changed in Charles and Lando's friendship this season with all the competition between their teams? Does it affect you?

Luciana: Surprisingly, not much! They're both pretty chill.

Sienna: Real. We also kind of force them to stay friends because of us.

Elle: Do you both have any pre-race rituals to manage nerves before a high-stakes race like this one?

Sienna *laughs*: I don't have an appropriate answer, Luci you talk.

Luciana: Gross. For me, I try to talk with Charles right before, about racing and everything, a bit of gossip you know.

Elle: If Charles or Lando podiums tomorrow, do you already have a celebration planned, or will you keep it low-key?

Luciana: We'll definitely celebrate, but Charles might be leaning more towards the low-key.

Sienna: A quiet celebration? Not a chance! I'll be cheering no matter what, it's either my family or my boyfriend's family.

---

The cameraman puts the camera down. 'Thank you girls so much, I always have so much fun with you two', Elle laughs.

'We love you the most, but now we gotta go see Maeve', I apologize and we move away to the Red Bull garage.