Gasoline - [Charles Leclerc]

1.7

A/N: Sorry for the late update! x

Disappointment was written all over his face as Charles took his helmet off and moved with the other drivers into the FIA box to get weighed. This race hadn't been what he wanted it to be, again. The team orders had ruined it. He wanted to race more freely. He was sure it was just the heat of the moment thinking he had now, he needed some rest to calm down and think properly about it before he'd give an answer to all the journalist. Andrea and Stefania were waiting for him after he got weighed, Andrea took his helmet and his gloves from him while he handed him his drinking bottle. Charles unzipped his overall and stripped it down to his waist, glad he could get some fresh air. He didn't say anything as he moved two hands through his sweaty hair. The Ferrari team were getting ready to gather around the fences of the podium, a podium he should've gotten, but it was his teammate. Charles and Sebastian got along very well, but of course he'd rather have himself standing on there than Seb.

Charles took his time to think about the situation, speaking through it with Stefania in his driver's cabin while he had time to drink something and eat a piece of fruit. He didn't want to be negative towards his team, he just wanted to sound critical for them as they definitely needed to improve. He got overtaken by a Red Bull and Mercedes were simply too strong for them. Stefania hadn't said much about it, knowing her driver wasn't happy, but just took the points as a positive points. They made the round in the media square as one of the last few driver's and he answered all of the questions as clear as he could without blaming anyone directly. In the distance, the podium ceremony sounded, the champion's song where they'd spray their champagne and celebrate a win, a second place or a third place. It should be a Ferrari 1-2, not a Mercedes win. It was another race that was hard to swallow and Charles looked forward to just flying home and have a week of training to focus on the next one.

The Monegasque driver made his way through the paddock to get back to the hospitality. In the pit boxes, the cars were wrapped up and taken apart so they could get on the plane, back to Maranello so the team there could work hard once more to find things to improve. That was the hardest thing about it, Charles was in Maranello enough times to see how hard the factory was working and he couldn't just blame the people there that the car wasn't good enough when they had nightshifts and all to please the team. Charles got changed in his normal team wear and a pair of jeans, pushing his cap over his messy hair while making his way to the briefing room to discuss what had gone wrong this time. They'd have a team discussion in Maranello later, so Sebastian wasn't in this meeting. Charles told the team more explicit where he felt he trouble was and that the way they were handling the positions within the team wasn't something he preferred. He knew he was lucky about being able to drive a Ferrari, but he wasn't going to bow down for them completely.

The day at the track was long and he could return to the hotel around nine in the evening. He was hungry and tired at the same time, the worst combination ever. Edrice had been waiting patiently for him in the hospitality of Ferrari, where he came to take her with him. Andrea had his jacket, which he handed to him and he smiled a bit. "Hey, champ". Edrice smiled slightly, caressing his cheek as his eyes still reflected the disappointment of today. Charles felt her pressing a kiss to his cheek and it made him wrap his arm around her shoulders as they walked down the paddock to get out. Fans were still waiting for him there and he stopped every now and then for a picture or to sign something. Edrice was sure he was unbelievably strong to act this nice, while it was clear that all he wanted to do was leave and have something to eat before a good night of rest. Charles thanked the fans before he stepped away from the fences, searching for the parking lot of the circuit.

"I'm dying for a shower". He sighed as he sat down in the black Ferrari they had for the weekend. "We have enough time for that when we get back". Edrice replied, placing her bag between her feet on the floor of the car. She leaned her arms on the two seats in front of her. Andrea hummed in agreement. "I'll come to your room in an hour so we can go out to grab a bite. Your plane is ready around midnight". The Italian informed. Charles always hired a private plane for the raceweekends, sometimes he flew with Sebastian, but Sebastian was flying to Italy straight away, so he didn't join them this time. Some others of the team were flying with them too. Edrice didn't mind, his crew was very nice to her. Charles drove them back to the hotel and he yawned as they stood in the elevator. "Don't fall asleep in the shower". Andrea said as he hit the back of his head with a teasing slap, making Charles duck away from him with a groan. "I won't". He muttered and Andrea smiled a bit at Edrice before going his own way.