Same but... different (Lestappen and Carlando)

Chapter 71

Warning: mention of Jos

Not the very last chapter, but almost. I feel emotional rn

It's 4k words as well, take your time reading :)

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POV: Carlos

For the last race of the season, I start fifth, being front row to the amazing show that is this finale. Of course, Checo and Lando in front are my targets, and I know holding off Bottas won't be easy. But I'm ready to go, as all the cars start positioning on the grid.

There's a special feeling of excitement floating in the air, as the engines start roaring. I think about Lando, just in front of me, about Charles, behind me. But especially about Max. How on edge he must feel right now.

There's no time for empathy though, as the lights appear, and I immediately get ready. Starts are always tense, but today is different. The atmosphere is electric.

"It's lights out and away we go"

I react as soon as the lights go off, trying to avoid the cars in front of me. Checking behind quickly, I clench my teeth when I look in front again. Hamilton is ahead of Max before turn one, practically the only one on the inside. We're all packed on the outside, so far that Lando suddenly goes wide.

I'm lucky to avoid him, but I don't like how he rejoins the track, just in front of my car. Glancing in my mirrors, I smile as I see Charles overtaking Bottas. I know this was his secret goal, to hold off Lewis' teammate for as long as he could to help Max a little.

As we approach turn 9 in what feels like a heartbeat, I take a wide line to overtake Lando, and notice the two championship contenders fighting in front. A very bold move from Max down the inside, and both cars touch.

Holding my breath, I focus on my own driving, noticing with relief how the two cars in front managed to stay on track with no apparent damage.

POV: Max

— He has to give that back!

I make my statement clear in the radio, upset about how the Brit just cut the track to keep his lead. I feel like I left just enough space, and the contact wasn't even my fault. Now, Hamilton has a decent gap and he's slowly pulling away. I cannot lose the championship because of this. I just can't.

*— I'm sorry Max, stewards said "no investigation necessary".

I try to calm down after hearing GP's response, but the pressure on my shoulders is making me very snappy. The race is long though, and I hope we can get him in the strategy at least. With Checo just behind me, we can probably manage something. I hate myself for this poor start though, I had pole, I should have been capable to hold on to it.

Lap 14. Starting on softs, I had to choose a one stop strategy, and switch for the hards already. But that means I won't be able to attack quite yet, and probably will stay in the pack way too long. To maximise our chances, Checo stays out.

Strangely, Lewis follows me into the pitlane only one lap later, although he was on mediums. That makes my teammate the temporary leader of the race, and the team asks him to hold off Lewis as much as he can. I'm sorry to use him that way, as a shield, but this is a team sport, and it's crucial for us to get the championship.

— Oh, Checo is a legend, I say through the radio as he willingly lets me through.

Holding off Hamilton only lasted until lap 21, but it still allowed me to reduce the gap to less than two seconds behind him. As the number of remaining laps go down, I'm more and more frustrated. Why can't this car go any faster? How can Lewis stay in front without DRS, resist all my intents at overtaking?