Beyond the Track - Oscar Piastri bxb

A Little Extra Fuel

Oscar could feel the adrenaline kicking in as he sat on the grid, gripping the wheel with both hands. He'd run this circuit a hundred times, and yet the familiar track looked different today. There was a sense of quiet focus that hadn't been there for the past few weeks, a clarity that felt like finally coming up for air. He let his gaze sweep over the crowd, the blurred colors of team uniforms, the gleam of flags, and finally his pit crew. This was where he was meant to be.

The tension had been mounting all weekend. After his last few lackluster performances, there'd been plenty of side-eyes from his team, with whispered concerns about his focus. He knew what they all thought: that he'd let the pressures and distractions get in the way, that he wasn't handling the new relationship as seamlessly as he'd hoped. But today, something felt different.

The green lights flashed, and Oscar threw himself into the race.

Every turn, every shift, every sound around him felt sharper, like the roar of the engine was syncing with his heartbeat. He was fully in the zone, able to push just a little harder, move with more precision than he had in weeks. It was like every part of him was working together again, finding the edge he thought he'd lost.

By the time he crossed the finish line, his team was already on their feet, cheers echoing through his radio. He'd finished higher than he'd dared hope—a real comeback moment. And though he knew the credit would go to the training, to his team, to everything that had led him here, in his heart, he felt something different: he knew Nick had been part of the reason. The support Nick had given him—the way he felt lighter, more grounded since they'd made things official—it had changed something in him.

He stepped out of the car, pulling off his helmet as he let the cheers and applause wash over him. And then he spotted Lando making his way through the crowd, a wide grin already spreading across his face.

"Piastri, that was unreal!" Lando said, clapping him on the shoulder as they made their way back to the garage. "You really needed that one, didn't you?"

Oscar grinned, a mix of pride and relief in his expression. "More than I realized."

Lando gave him a sideways glance as they walked, his tone casual but carrying an edge of curiosity. "So, what's changed, then? Last week you looked like you were ready to toss your helmet and call it a day."

Oscar hesitated, but he could sense the genuine support in Lando's expression. They'd been through enough together for him to know he could trust Lando, even if he wasn't ready to spell everything out. "Just... had to get my head back in the right place. Things have been intense off the track, but I'm working it out."

Lando shot him a knowing look, crossing his arms as they reached the garage. "Is that right? It wouldn't have anything to do with that friend of yours I've been seeing around?"

Oscar laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're too observant for your own good, you know that?"

"Hey, I'm just saying," Lando replied, smirking. "Whatever's going on, it's clearly doing something good for you. Haven't seen you that focused since the start of the season."

Oscar felt a wave of gratitude for the support in Lando's words, for the way his friend could see what he needed without asking for too many details. "Thanks, mate," he said, clapping Lando on the back. "I needed this win, and I needed... well, everything else too."

Lando gave him a final, approving nod. "Good. Keep that up, and you'll be giving everyone a run for their money in no time. And hey—don't let anyone mess with your head about it. You're better than that."

Oscar smiled, feeling a newfound sense of purpose settle over him. The track, his friends, and Nick... he felt more grounded than he had in a long time. This race might have been a small win in the bigger scheme of things, but it was exactly the kind of breakthrough he'd needed. And for the first time in weeks, he could see a way forward—one where he could have both his career and the relationship that kept him going.