unspoken words

Chapter 6: The Comeback of Ferrari

(Author's POV)

The race in Australia was shaping up to be one for the books. Ferrari hadn't secured a 1-2 finish in what felt like ages, and Carlos's unexpected comeback after surgery had given the weekend an added layer of intrigue. After days of speculation on whether he was fit enough to compete, Carlos was about to silence every doubt.

As the lights went out, he was a force of pure determination. Despite the lingering pain and a body still healing, Carlos's focus was razor-sharp. The crowd roared as he deftly maneuvered through corners, showing not even a trace of hesitation.

Charles was right behind him, his own performance a perfect display of precision and aggression. As the laps ticked down, it became clear that Ferrari was in a league of its own this weekend, Carlos and Charles executing a flawless, coordinated drive that kept the rest of the grid in their rearview mirrors.

(Charles's POV)

As I crossed the finish line, seeing Carlos's car ahead of me, my heart surged with pride. This was exactly what we'd been fighting for—the dream that had felt so far away during endless battles with our car. Watching Carlos lift his fist in victory, I couldn't stop the smile spreading across my face. We did it. A Ferrari 1-2. And Carlos... he'd fought through everything to take that win.

But there was something more than just pride. Watching him, I felt a strange mix of relief and a pang of something I couldn't name. I wanted to congratulate him, to tell him what an incredible job he'd done—but there was something in me that held back. Something that only grew stronger as he glanced over and caught my eye, his smile softening.

(Author's POV)

The headlines exploded: "Ferrari Roars Back with Stunning 1-2 Victory in Australia!"; "Carlos Sainz Defies Odds, Wins Race After Surgery!"; "Ferrari's Dream Team Dominates Down Under!" In the paddock, fans and team members buzzed with excitement. Ferrari's garage had transformed into a sea of celebration, the mechanics and engineers reveling in the historic moment.

As they made their way off the podium, Carlos and Charles were ambushed by a flood of media.

"Carlos, incredible race! Did you ever think you'd be able to pull off a win so soon after surgery?" one reporter asked.

Carlos, wiping sweat from his forehead, chuckled. "Honestly, I didn't think about it much. I just wanted to be here, to give it my all. Today was about the team, and I couldn't have done it without everyone's support."

"And Charles," another reporter turned to him, "seeing Carlos out there after everything, was it motivating?"

Charles gave a small smile, glancing at Carlos. "Definitely. Seeing his determination—it just pushes all of us to do better. Today was about teamwork, and I'm really proud of what we accomplished together."

(Drivers Group Chat)

Lando: "Carlos, you're a madman! Winning right after surgery? Give us mortals a chance, mate."

Pierre: "Big hero moment there, Sainz. Remind me never to race you if you're injured; clearly it only makes you faster. 😂"

Lewis: "Respect. That was a tough drive—I think you just raised the bar for all of us."

Carlos: "You lot would've done the same. Just happy to be back."

Charles: "Not all of us would come back like that, though."

Max: "Charles is right, Carlos. Most of us don't race right after surgery unless we have a death wish. Proud of you, though."

(Author's POV)