Formula 1 | One Shots (1)

Wildest Dreams | Checo Perez

Authors Note: This storyline was requested by reader: Marleau07 

Done in 3rd person POV ☀️ 
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Karina and Anita sat across from each other at a small cafe in Yas Marina. A bottle of white wine sat between them, their glasses half full. They were laughing together as they reminisced about the chaotic few days they'd spent together in Abu Dhabi. Checo was on the track for free practice, leaving the two best friends with uninterrupted time to catch up.

"So," Anita began, leaning forward, "how's everything going, Kari? You seem a little...I don't know, quieter than usual. What's up?"

Karina took a slow sip of her wine. She hesitated for a moment, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. "It's been... a lot," she admitted. She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "There's something I haven't really told anyone yet. Not even the media knows."

Anita raised an eyebrow. "You know I'm here for whatever it is, right?"

Karina nodded as she gathered her thoughts. Finally, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "This is Checo's last race, Anita. He's retiring at the end of the season."

Anita's eyes widened, her mouth falling open slightly. "What? Retiring? Are you serious? Checo? I mean, he's...he's still so good! Why now?"

Karina smiled faintly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "That's exactly what I said when he told me. I mean, you know him...racing has been his life since he was a kid. It's who he is, Anita. But...he's tired. The constant travel, the pressure, the scrutiny, he wants to be home more. With me, with his family. He's been thinking about it for a while now, but he finally made the decision over the summer."

Anita reached across the table, placing a comforting hand over Karina's. "Oh, Kari. That must've been such a tough conversation for both of you."

Karina nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek as she quickly wiped it away. "It was. He told me after a race weekend in Austria. We were in his drivers room and he just looked at me and said, 'I think this is it, Kari. I think I'm ready to walk away.' And I...I didn't know what to say. Part of me was relieved, you know? Because I've seen how much the bad weekends eat him up, how much he sacrifices. But another part of me felt like I was losing a piece of the man I fell in love with. The Checo who thrives on adrenaline and speed and proving everyone wrong."

Anita gave her hand a squeeze. "That must be such a whirlwind of emotions. How's he handling it?"

Karina laughed softly, though her voice broke slightly. "He's at peace with it, which honestly makes it easier for me. He said he wants to leave on his own terms, not because the sport forces him to. And he's been spending more time with his parents, his brothers...He even talks about silly things, like planting a garden or learning to cook. It's sweet, really. But I can see how hard it is for him to keep this secret, to go out there and race every weekend knowing it's for the last time."

"Have you told anyone else? Or is it just between you two?"

Karina shook her head. "Just us. He doesn't want the team distracted and he definitely doesn't want it to overshadow the rest of the season. But not for much longer. Red Bull is planning to announce it after this weekend's race. Checo wanted to finish his chapter here, before it became public. Every time he puts on that helmet, Anita, I feel this...heaviness. Like, this could be the last time he wins, the last time he stands on that podium. It's bittersweet."

Anita tilted her head, studying her best friend. "You've been his rock through all of this, Kari. I know it's been hard, but you're handling it with so much grace."