Comfort [landoscar]

2) Bahrain disaster

Sakhir, Bahrain

It was now the Thursday morning before the first race of the 2023 season. The McLaren media team wanted to make some content before their drivers had to go to interviews and the press conference. Oscar entered a room with a small group of people including his teammate. There were a few cameras, a green screen and Sophie, their PR officer, that would give them directions and explain what to do. Both drivers sat down and listened to Sophie. As a rookie, the team thought Oscar would be more shy, wouldn't know what to do, but they didn't know he was already trained for this. So the way Oscar was more like Lando and participated more surprised them. Prema had done a good job.

So they got up and the Aussie went on the side to let Lando start. They would do a weird and funny shoot for the team. While doing it and explaining to Lando how to act, someone filmed the backstage to post it on TikTok. (https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMhtN4sYQ/ where's my idea from) Someone gave Lando a bucket of popcorn and he was told to eat some and then have a scared reaction. He did so but his reaction was delayed and he just yelled. "- You get a jumpscare now. -... HA!" They all just laughed and Lando giggled as he was covered in popcorn and had made a mess. Oscar simply, looked at his teammate and laughed too, he knew he wouldn't be better and had to pass after.

The media team wanted to do all of the messy shoots done at first so Oscar had to come in front of the green screen. He was given the same bucket but with very much less popcorn in it. He had to throw one in the air and to catch it with his mouth, which he did and a similar scared reaction as Lando. After a few minutes he stepped aside and joined the Brit. The room got cleaned and Lando got called up again. He was given a rose and told to show it to the camera. Before they shot him he turned to Oscar and winked. As if to tease him, and it worked since Oscar was shaking his head and giggling at the sight. Lando then handed him the rose and winked again after shooting a couple pics.

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It was now time for the first press conference and both McLaren drivers were in the same group. They were also with Max, Charles, George and Logan. They all sat down and Logan sat next to Oscar. Since the beginning of the season and the pre season testing, they didn't have much time to talk. Even here, as rookies, people wanted to know them. "So how's your new teammate?" Logan asked Oscar. "Oh he looks fun, really. He just doesn't really trust the car." The Aussie answered honestly. "What do you mean?" "He's not confident about it" Oscar seemed unsure as he looked at Lando from across the room. It was obviously about the car, how could Lando not believe in him. He had talent and he should know it.

"Welcome everyone to the first press conference of the 2023 season, we are at the first race in Bahrain and we are with Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Logan Sargeant, George Russel, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. So we're gonna start by welcoming to Formula one our two rookies and ask a question to one of them and his teammate. Oscar, Lando what do you think about the car? You seemed to be able to fights for some points with an outstanding p5 from Lando in the pre season testing." The reporter had started and chose the McLaren boys. Logan turned towards Oscar, that had told him how Lando wasn't confident about the car. He believed in his best friend though. "Well I think the car is good, I probably have a biased opinion as it's my first season but I think we have a chance for some points." Oscar had made a brief answer, he knew his car wouldn't do miracles but he had hope. "I also think it's good, we changed a few elements of the car from last year, we got the regulations right and I think the updates will help us a lot. I'm confident." Lando answered, not showing his lack of confidence in the team. "Thank you boys, now with Mercedes." The reporter turned towards George.

The reporters continued asking questions to the drivers about the cars, their hopes and testing results. Most of the time the other drivers talked together in duo until they were asked a question. Some poor reporter had to call out Max almost three times as he was maxplaining to Charles. Which made the whole group laugh.