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charlotteking27 · 1 month ago

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Pursuing the Journalist

Max Verstappen x reader

Summary: Max makes his intentions clear, that he wants to pursue you, so much so that he's already planning your future with him.

Warning: This is part two of The pretty Interviewer.

The next morning in Monaco, the paddock buzzes with energy. You barely reach the Sky Sports tent before your producer rushes up to you, smiling like she just won the constructors’ championship.

“Don’t look now,” she says, “but there’s already a crowd outside. They want to see if Max will charm you on live TV again.”

You bury your face in your notes, trying not to blush. “He’s just playing with the media. He loves stirring things up.”

Your producer laughs. “Right, and I’m really Toto Wolff. You two broke the internet last night. Even the official F1 account is in on it.” She holds up her phone, showing you a meme: Max in his race suit, captioned, “Find someone who looks at you the way Max looks at the Sky Sports reporter.”

Suddenly, the crowd outside parts with excitement. Max appears at the paddock entrance, scanning the area until he spots you. Before anyone can react, he jogs over—helmet in hand, a big grin on his face.

Reporters and fans begin to murmur, cameras turning your way. Max doesn't care. He reaches you in an instant, taking your hand, warm and confident. The world seems to pause as he pulls you beside him, walking through the paddock together, fingers intertwined as if it’s perfectly normal.

Cheers and whistles follow you like confetti. Someone shouts, “Go on, Max!” He just squeezes your hand, glancing down with that charming, lovestruck smile that makes your heart skip.

“You didn’t think I’d let you handle this chaos alone, did you?” he whispers, just for you.

Your producer’s jaw drops. The Sky cameras are rolling. It’s Monaco, and for a moment, it feels like the whole world is watching Max Verstappen stroll hand-in-hand with you to the biggest race of the year.

You’re still groaning when Max shows up, surprisingly relaxed for someone about to race in Monaco. He flashes you a grin that promises trouble—except this time, there’s a softness to it, one that doesn’t fade when the cameras are on.

“Ready for your exclusive?” he asks, keeping his eyes on yours, ignoring the crowd of reporters pretending not to listen.

You try to remain professional. “Max, you’re starting on pole for the Monaco Grand Prix. Any nerves?”

He leans in close enough for you to catch a hint of his cologne. His eyes linger on your face just a beat too long. “Only if you’re nervous. I think that’s the only thing that could throw me off today.”

Your producer, clearly done with professionalism, whispers in your ear, “He’s got it bad for you.”

You push on. “What’s the plan for turn one? It’s usually chaos.”

“Stay ahead, avoid chaos, and maybe—” he pauses, giving you a slow look that makes your cheeks flush, “convince you to have dinner with me again after I win. Monaco’s stunning, but you make it unforgettable.”

You choke, and Max’s grin spreads wider. He leans in, his voice dropping, “Honestly, I’d race here every weekend just for a chance to see you.”

“I’m trying to do my job,” you hiss, covering your mic.

He shrugs, completely unruffled. “So am I. Just… my job’s a lot more fun when you’re around.”

The interview becomes a blur—a mix of technical talk and playful flirting, with Max teasing hints about post-race plans and you doing your best to act like you haven’t already agreed to a late-night stroll by the harbor. When it ends, Max lingers as if he’s forgotten there’s a race to win.

“You know,” he says, lowering his voice, “I used to hate interviews. Now I look forward to them. You’re the only one who makes me nervous.”

Your stomach turns. “Because you enjoy being the center of attention?”

He shakes his head. “Because when you look at me, I feel like I’ve already won.”

Before you can say anything, he strides back toward the garage, leaving you flustered and the entire F1 Twitterverse moments away from a meltdown.

The race is pure Monaco: tight, intense, impossible to predict. Max leads from the start, but a late safety car changes everything. You watch, holding your breath, as he navigates through the turmoil, the world focused on him.

He wins. Of course he does.

As the Red Bull zooms past the checkered flag, Max’s radio crackles with his engineer's euphoric shouts. He barely catches his breath before grabbing the radio, his voice filled with adrenaline.

“Max, you legend! Monaco winner! That’s how you do it!” his race engineer exclaims.

Max’s laughter is full of disbelief, almost boyish. But then he shifts his tone, warmer and more thoughtful. He knows everyone is listening—his team, the fans, the world.

“This one’s for someone special,” he says, steady as can be. “I want to dedicate this win to the Sky Sports reporter who survived my flirting all weekend. You know who you are. Thanks for making Monaco unforgettable.”

The team erupts with cheers and laughter. The crowd, hearing the dedication over the loudspeakers, goes wild.

Max grins into the radio, barely hiding his mischief. “Honestly, the car’s quick, but not as quick as my heart every time you ask me questions.”

His engineer groans, half-laughing, “Max, mate, you’re killing us.”

Max just laughs, a bit smug. “What can I say? She’s my lucky charm. That dinner offer still stands, by the way. Monaco’s beautiful at night—almost as beautiful as her smile.”

The paddock buzzes with chatter. Social media is already going crazy.

When he finally walks into parc fermé, covered in champagne and smiling, he looks right at you. The world’s cameras may be on him, but he finds your eyes first.

Later, the post-race interview turns into a frenzy. Reporters jostle, microphones wave, but Max waits, arms crossed, until you stand in front of him. Everything else fades away.

“Congratulations, Max,” you say, trying to keep your voice steady.

“Thank you.” He gives you that look that has sparked countless tweets. He leans in close enough that only you—and possibly millions of viewers—can hear. “You know, if I’d known winning Monaco would get me this interview, I would’ve tried even harder.”

You raise an eyebrow. “You just won Monaco. Shouldn’t you be celebrating with your team?”

Max shrugs, still only focused on you. “I’d rather celebrate with you. Maybe you’ll finally say yes to that dinner. Or do I need to win another race?”

He leans in, whispering in your ear with that grin. “Careful, or I’ll have to dedicate every win to you. Might make the other drivers jealous.”

The cameras capture it all—your laughter, his easy smile, the way he leans in as if he’s about to share a secret. The clip is already being shared, meme’d, and picked apart by the time you both slip away from the paddock, hearts racing, the world watching.

By midnight, Monaco’s streets have quieted down. You and Max stroll along the harbor, the air thick with anticipation and the scent of the sea. This time, there are no cameras, no microphones—just two people trying to figure out what happens next.

He stops, gazing out at the yachts bobbing on the dark water. “You know, everyone’s going to have an opinion about this.”

You nudge his shoulder. “Since when do you care about everyone?”

He laughs, soft and genuine. “I don’t. I only care about you.”

You open your mouth to respond, but he’s already leaning in, gentle and certain. For once, you forget about the world watching, the noise, the chaos, and the next race.

What began as just another paddock interview now feels like the start of something entirely new.

And you wouldn’t trade it for pole position—not even on a street circuit.

Taglist: @bowielovesyou and @lilypat

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mickyschumacher · 6 months ago

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[BREAKFAST IN BED!]

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘: the racing season is finally over and lando is more than excited to have you all to himself. or in which lando prefers his breakfast in bed with you as the main course.

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒: 18+ (minor dni), breastplay, grinding(?), teasing, oral sex/eating out/cunnilingus, fingering, pure moments of fluff because bf!lando is the sweetest, discussion of lando mentally struggling at the start

𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆: bf!lando norris x fem!reader

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓: 2k+

𝐀/𝐍: i promised a post before the end of the year and it happens to coincide with a holiday of giving ;) merry christmas and happy hanukkah to those who celebrate it! and happy new year! // as usual poorly proof-read ♡︎ (sorry if it's shitty, i haven't written a full-piece in a while)

🏎️ 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 | ⚽️𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓

The season was over. Finally.

Not to be offensive or anything but you had been waiting for this moment for what, this year, felt like forever.

Yes, it was action packed–largely due to the fact that a certain RedBull wasn't winning every race. Yes, McLaren had whipped up the fastest car on the grid to shake things up. And yes, the same team had clinched their ninth World Constructor's Championship.

And while that made you absolutely over the moon, all you had wanted was for some peace and quiet on a random Wednesday morning so you could (maybe creepily) ogle your handsome boyfriend.

Was that too much to ask for?

It had been a tough season for Lando and naturally, as you promised from the very start of your friendship alone–that you would stick by his side no matter what–you had also been through the thick of it.

Convincing Lando to not look at the comments after every session or race had been difficult. You tried your best to remove any negativity that clouded his mind. Some days it worked and some days it didn't.

But that was life. And that was then.

Now you were wide awake at some odd time in the morning, laying comfortably on your stomach with your head turned towards Lando. There was about one degree of separation between the both of you, allowing you to carefully observe him.

Lando was never an early bird. If he was, it would be by some miracle or your upper arm strength pulling him from the sheets. A small smile crept onto your face. You had been friends for years now and together for even shorter. Yet you still couldn't believe that the sleepy bird next to you was yours entirely.

His dark tousled and recently cut curls, the stress lines on his forehead you were always aching to smooth out and comfort with the pad of your thumb, his "perfectly normal sized ears" that you definitely never made fun of, his lovely lashes you were jealous of, and the soft pink lips you couldn't decide whether to touch or kiss.... all yours.

Behind all the stupidity, humour, and claimed 'indifference' Lando sported on camera and with others, you always knew his heart. It was open for everyone and had more than enough love to go around. You were in love with the biggest sap you had ever known.

And on top of all of that, he made it out of that car to you... alive... every goddamn time.

You were luckier than you could ever imagine.

"How long are you going to stare at me, love?" Lando's voice queried, thick with the rasp of the morning and the events of last night.

You slightly widened your eyes, watching him open those beautiful baby blues and land on you. An flustered flush of heat wavered up your skin. You bit your lip before slipping beneath the covers, feeling the warmth envelope your skin entirely. You started with a muttered curse.

"How long have you even been awake, Lan? That's so embarrassing," you chided with a muffled tone.

Unbeknownst to you, Lando couldn't help but grin at your sudden shy demeanour. It was hard for anyone to imagine you as shy but he had seen every side of you. How enjoyable it was that even after all these years, he could tease you and see how flustered you could get. If he had met you when you were kids, this is exactly how he imagined you'd be.

He stretched out his taut arm, grabbing you by the waist. His skin swarmed with heat as he felt your bare waist under your shirt as he pulled you over him. He moved your knees so you straddled him.

He pressed his lips to prevent a full blown smile at what he was seeing.

Your hair was fully covering your face, head down and hands hovering over to hide the tinges of pink and red on your skin.

"Baby... come on, love. Show me your face," Lando encouraged, nudging your hair lightly with the side of his finger. "Come on, baby."

You groaned, lifting your head, feeling all your tresses go back. You blankly stared at your boyfriend with burning cheeks. "I hate you," you mumbled, giving him a small glare.

Lando snorted, putting his hands firmly on your waist. His fingers edged up behind the hem of your shirt, rubbing small circles into your bare skin. "You love me. Someone who hates me wouldn't stare at me so lovingly."

"I–" You tried to open your mouth to retaliate but to no avail as you quickly came to the realisation that he was indeed correct. As Lando usually was with these things.

"Fine. You got me," you sighed admittedly, "I just missed waking up next to you in the morning. Is that such a horrible crime?" You dramatically asked, tease heavy in your voice.

In any other situation, Lando would've narrowed his eyes at your teasing but all he could do was gaze softly at you. You weren't able to travel with him all the time and he wasn't able to spend every day with you. You both knew that. And while it sucked, you had both gotten used to it, cherishing when you were together.

But this year... Lando had spent every living second wishing you were next to him. He wanted you to tell him your god awful jokes. To look at him from across the room and take his entire breath, mind, whatever, away. To drop the fake smiles and rest in your arms with all the time in the world.

"No," Lando whispered, warm eyes travelling over your face, trying to find anything new to memorise. Anything he had missed since seeing you. "That isn't a crime. If it was, I'd be guilty as charged."

Your breath hitched while a small shiver trickled down your body as Lando pushed back a lock of hair behind your ear. You chewed down on your lip before breaking into a smile gently. "I love you, Lando Norris. Forever," you murmured, placing a brief kiss onto his lips.

Lando stared at you hard, far more awake than he had ever been. He lifted his head slowly, holding you close to him. And without a second thought, he brought his lips to yours.

This kiss was different from the others you had shared. Perhaps it was the atmosphere or context that accounted for that different but the need, the love, the softness and the brutal passion was poured into every fibre of your being

Your hands curled around the back of his neck, pulling him tighter while your nose glided against his as Lando only just begun ravaging your mouth. He sucked on your lips with a small nibble here and there, relishing the muffled moans passing your lips.

His own hands continued to travel the path of your body he had committed to memory. He knew as he traversed your heated back exactly where the dark freckles he had come to love were.

Your soft moans became more audible and pleasing to Lando's ears as he curled his lips to your neck, leaving the sloppily yet controlled path of possessive kisses down base of your skin. He could feel your pulse against his skin and God, he wanted to burn it into his brain and save it.

"Lando," you gasped as you felt a sudden jerk underneath you, feeding into the pooling wetness between your thighs. Your teeth sunk into your pillowy bottom lip, your hips automatically responded by grinding down onto Lando's bulge.

"Ah, fuck," Lando cursed, feeling his cock throb in his underwear. His eyes fluttered shut, hands immediately returning to your hips to continue the stimulating pleasure.

You were driving him crazy.

Both of your skin was covered in a thin sheen of sweat as you felt Lando's clothed cock rut into your poorly covered pussy. You rocked your hips harder into him, feeling a slight jolt against your clit. "Oh, fuck, Lando," you moaned his name in his ear, fingers curling into his skin.

Lando opened his eyes, drawing back to capture your face. Your dazed eyes, glowing skin, panting lips, the way your hips bowed towards him... he had missed you. So. Fucking. Much.

"I want breakfast," Lando blurted with a slight gasp as the pleasure rocked through his body.

You stopped moving your hips, body shuddering from the halt. You raised a brow at the sudden desire but shrugged it off considering you were way past breakfast hours and you were only human. "Okay," you responded, about to move off of Lando to head to the kitchen.

Lando reached over, hand pulling your body back towards him, rolling your body so he hovered over you between your legs. "Where are you going?" he tutted, "Breakfast is right here."

You seemed to lose the ability to speak with Lando's hand kneading the flesh of your thighs, implying exactly what he wanted. You breathlessly watched his head move over your body. His tongue lapped at your skin, travelling to any bare patch he could find as though he wanted to feast on you. His warmth made your core tingle as you arched into his touch.

You were positively going to lose your mind.

His hands slid under your shirt, burning your skin until he could fill his palms with your breasts. "Oh baby," Lando moaned, fingers teasing your soft mounds. "I love your tits so fucking much."

A choked cry broke through your lips upon hearing his confession, fingers brushing against your hardened nipple almost painfully slowly. No matter how many times he said it, it set you alight.

"Lando," you moaned loudly, hoping he could read and hear the sound that beckoned him towards your aching core.

He paused, allowing you to take in the heavenly sight of Lando's bare chest, decorated only by the necklace you had gotten him on his birthday last year. In turn, his gaze was only focused on your core.

You tested your lung capacity, taking in a sharp inhale as he pressed his knuckles against your panties, purposely pushing harder against on the ball of your clit. You faltered at the smile sprawling on his face, your hips jolting forward and mouth unable to contain a desperate yelp.

Lando was every inch as desperate as you were, taking no time to waste. His fingers hooked onto your panties and removed them in one swift motion, leaving you bare from the waist down.

Your stomach churned at the sight of Lando nestling his head into your inner thigh, his once light blue eyes now dark and heavy with desire as he inhaled the scent of you. The moan escaping his lips made you shiver.

You were sure you were dripping. You could feel the slick trail down your pussy, glistening in a patient wait to be touched just like you were.

Your eyes fell back to Lando who groaned your name. "I promise to God, I'm going to make you cum so hard that breakfast in bed will be the only option you have," he stated so surely against your skin as his fingers slid from the seam of your entrance to your clit, bundling all your wetness onto his hand.

Oh god.

"Lando, please," you begged shamelessly, legs aching to clench together to relieve the pain of being untouched.

Your legs trembled around Lando's head, his hot breath nearing your pussy while his mouth drew closer. You watched him take you in for the last time before his lips firmly sealed over your aching clit.

The burst of pleasure cut through your body so sharply. Your cry of joy echoed in the late morning, hips bucking against his mouth.

Lando's hands travelled to the outside of your thighs, grasp tightening to keep them spread open on his shoulders. "Keep them open, baby," he ground out.

It took everything in your power to keep your legs from collapsing, particularly as he made his point with another hard to suck to your clit, but you body seemed to follow his command. His mouth returned your wet folds, tongue swirling around every crevice before coming back to the most sensitive part of you, turning you into absolute mush.

Your hands had found their way to those mop of curls you cherished so much, legs trying to conform around Lando's shoulder to welcome any better angle of pleasure.

Your gasp at the sudden dismissal of his mouth was short lived, any chance to complain gone as his fingers pushed into your slick folds, stretching your clenching muscles out.

"Fuck yourself on those pretty little fingers for me, baby. I need you ready for me," Lando encouraged breathlessly as something feral inside of him emerged.

His fingers stroked your swollen walls from the inside, ensuring you felt every inch of them along the sensitive front wall of your pussy while his tongue glazed over every puffy slick fold like you were golden honey.

Lando watched in torture as he pushed his fingers in and out of your walls, your body jerking forward at the sheer pleasure. "That's it, baby," he continued to praise you.

"Doing so well for me, hmm?" He asked, a gleam of your wetness coating his lips. Moving his free hand down your thigh, he gathered your flesh in his fingers before reaching the small bundle of nerves, thumb going in small firm circles.

You were beginning to feel numb. A cold yet hot tightness coiling within your core, waiting to be unleashed. "Lando," you gasped, struggling to keep your head up, "fuck, I–I think I'm going to cum."

"Yes, baby," Lando coaxed, fingers speeding up with every action they had entailed, "Cum for me, please. Keep your eyes open. Look at me, love."

You fought the urge to squeeze your eyes shut, forcing your eyes to travel to those familiar baby blues. All the trillion nerves in your body felt like entangled knots tied by Lando's tongue while his fingers found the sweetest spot of your pussy and held to you that pinnacle.

Your teeth sunk into your bottom lip while Lando held your gaze, tongue sliding, curving up, and pushing in and out of every crevice. Your pussy finally succumbed to the hard pressure, clenching muscles squeezing hard at the sharp pinch of pain.

The pain was explosive, searing, and all-consuming.

You cried.

You cried so loudly you were sure your neighbours would be complaining any minute now.

It didn't matter. Not when the pleasure shooting through you was disproportionately and literally blowing you out of this world as though it had been seated and waiting to be released since the dawn of time itself. Your hips bucked and stuttered while you squirmed and writhed against the bed, the fabric of your shirt sticking to your sweaty skin.

Lando's mouth had never left you through your orgasm, tongue still deep in your folds, savouring all the convulses, shudders, and clenches of your body.

Even better yet, he had watched every second of you falling apart.

And it absolutely drove him crazy.

Lando's hand rushed to catch your falling body, holding you up as a small wave of exhaustion crashed into you. You stared at Lando shiftless, still seeing the faint image of floating stars across his face.

Oh my god.

Lando had broken you with his tongue.

You watched Lando lick his fingers clean as you slowly removed your legs from his shoulders. You lifted your head, pressing a long kiss onto his lips.

Lando grinned, cradling his arms around your body as he pushed you both into the bed yet again. He pushed back your slightly greased hair, caressing your cheek gently. "You okay?"

His query made you feel soft all over. You smiled into his hands and nodded. "Perfect," you chirped, hands hanging over his neck.

"So... breakfast in bed?" Lando offered knowingly as he massaged your thighs gently. You were not walking to that kitchen.

You furrowed your brows. "What about my breakfast?"

Lando wanted to question you but as his eyes followed your gaze, the answer became as clear as the aching bulge underneath his boxers.

"Oh."

#mickyschumacher #f1 x reader #f1 x you #f1 fanfic #f1 imagine #lando norris #f1 smut #lando norris fanfic #lando norris smut #lando norris x reader #lando norris oneshot #lando x reader

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yourlocalsmutwriter · 2 months ago

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Kutning's Dag - Max Verstappen x reader

cw: dubcon/ cnc, rapeplay, intox kink, unprotected sex, creampie, public, perv! Max, icky! Max

At this point in the season, Max Verstappen needed a miracle. He had heard it all, at the start. That the car was so fucked he dragged it first to podium, then to the points, but what happened when this was not the case. Amateur theorists- that's what he called F1 podcasters- had predicted that it would be sooner than later. And he had shut them down in Japan. Suzuka was a dream. Fourth consecutive pole there in the last seconds of quali. Fourth consecutive win there, the return of the F1 outro, as the fans dubbed it. But the Dutch anthem didn't stick around the podium for long. There were a few hiccups after, but not for the McLarens. His 1 point behind Lando was gradually increasing. He was feeling like a fish out of water, for the first time in his career. The retirement jokes he so brazenly made during previous months were now met with hushed whispers. It didn't help that the Redbulls were down in the constructors championship too. They took Liam, and with the way Yuki was driving, Max could bet one of his cats that Hadjar was getting fitted for a seat soon, whether the rookie driver wanted it or not. Verstappen's fake Instagram even liked a few Helmut Marko as the 2nd driver memes, a bunch of Daniel cursing the thing too. But it seemed to be true now.

So Max Verstappen desperately needed to win the Miami Grand Prix. After a triple header that started promising and two weekends of pure hell, something needed to be done. Whatever. Literally anything. He remembered last year how Lando's first victory in the sunny state triggered this chain of events. This championship contender narrative that was heating up between the two since. Lando then, with his little nose scar, who had been partying in the Amsterdam canals before. A metaphorical lightbuls sparked up above Max’s head. If you can't beat them, join them. He was going to celebrate King's Day for the first time in a while.

Of course, he used to honor the holiday as a teenager. Which 17 year old doesn't go across the border to the Netherlands to drink copious amounts of alcohol in the streets. He was lucky that his mom and sister brought him in at the end of the night. It was a fun time. Lots of bad beer. Crowds of loud people dressed head to toe in orange. Music that everyone knew shouted at the top of one's lungs. Then, with the years, he was too busy racing for such frivolity. But now the calendar was smiling up to him, a nice little break between Jeddah and Miami. It was a nice opportunity for him to fly back to the Netherlands, try the "Lando method," and come back. Copious amounts of gin tonics and a few kebabs never hurt anyone. Especially on King's Day. It was an incredibly stupid thing to do. Nevertheless, Max did it.

Once his plane touches down on Dutch soil, he realizes this was a mistake. He's forced to take a train and be packed like a sardine in first class. "No, I'm not him, but I get that a lot," he says, ad naseum, eyes glued to the maroon seats around him. Once he makes it to Amsterdam, he all but scours the city, going from store to store, trying to see if there's any alcohol left. He piles premixed cans of gin and tonics into his Alpha Tauri backpack. He sure is an ambassador now. But his quest isn't just a way for him to grab some booze. No, he's strategically scoping out areas where he won't be spotted. Where the crowds were just drunk and rowdy enough to ignore him, but not thay quiet and sober that he'd be bored. One would try to rationalize that most people didn't bat an eye at Lando. Who knows, Max could even accidentally spot the Britton on his way, dj skills being tested on a party boat. And people wouldn't care. We'll that was a bit harsh, there would be many overjoyed fans. But not as many as Max's. It was the fucking Netherlands, we was treated as the second coming of Christ. Or the first, depending on the province. Amsterdam was definitely not on the Bible belt, so that was that. Still, the Dutchman took some precautions. He hid out, going over to long lost friends' houses. People who he had known since karting, all drinking together, wearing orange, and treating him like a normal guy. Yes, there were some offhand comments about F1 and the Redbull performance. There's a few people trying to get him to help them with their fantasy team too.

He offers them a pass at his own ranking if they beat him at a drinking game. And those he never loses, always choosing to go for reflexes or showing feats of physical strength. After all, those hours in the gym aren't for nothing. Max is more than pleasantly buzzed by the time they have to leave. It's past 10, and people are already plastered. Of course, this was strategic. It was more plausible that people got a mass hallucination of Max Verstappen after a few dozen beers. He steps out through the crowd, shoes already sticking to the pavement. The smell of sweat and vomit and beer is in the air.

Max reflexively pulls the orange army cap over his own face, especially when they play anything by Maxx Power. He grins when they play 5 remixes in a row, the dj shouting something about a 5th WDC incoming. Max is happy that at least the fans are happy they believe in him, albeit delusionally. He relaxes, the tension sliding off of him like dirty air. He's too relaxed, almost, and now his mind is wondering how. Yes, the 6 pack of gin and tonics helped. He almost sniffs the air and gets hit with a string smell, similar to the one from the house. He reluctantly takes a hit of this green electronic thing and coughs. It's good, but weird.

"Didn't know vapes were this popular here?" He shouts to his friend, who deadpan that it's weed. Of course, Max almost smack his forehead. He's contact high, just like half the grid was in Vegas. He remembers that day, letting the flashbacks warm over him. Yep, he was fucking fucked.

Max decided that he'd fight the weirdness and tingliness of his body by people watching. What better way to be distracted by analyzing others. He blends into the crowd, only because people are packed like sardines. Mostly friends, big crowds of people dancing, drinking and shouting with each other. He doesn't miss the rowdier ones. There's couples making out and dry humping all around him.

He feels like a teenager all over again, that awkward virgin 17 year old at house parties. Hormones not as contained as he'd like to, popping a boner at other people's activities. If he listened very hard, everything was sexy. He'd hear the little moans and groans of the couple, the pleas for more. Everything made his cock stand up and throb painfully in his pants. And now, 10 years later, it's the same. Max never pegged himself as a voyeur. But now, with every sensation in his body heightened, he couldn't help it. And with his dick needing release and fast, he sets out to find someone willing to do that. His gaze searches, he's like a hawk looking for a bunny. And his eyes land on you.

You hated King's Day. It was a stupid holiday, a Saw trap thing made to torture you. You hated the gaudy orange color. The public drinking. The stupid songs you didn't know as a foreigner. You should've stayed home. But here you were, freezing in a two-piece set. You hate the flimsy fabric of the thing. You only ordered it last minute to impress an ex, who you knew you'd run into. You didn't expect to find them with their tongue down the throat of a mutual acquaintance. But you made a vow that you'd make out with someone. So far, your lips only touched the bottle. Whatever they were drinking was strong, made you feel woozy and light. At least you were doing King's Day right, getting very intoxicated. You didn't even flinch when you felt a pair of hands glide dangerously close to your ass. The whole night, it kept happening, accidentally, sometimes not. It was the crowds, you reasoned, because you were practically sandwiched between many backs and elbows. Then someone did really feel you up from behind. God, his fingers were deliberate. Groping, touching, all short of clawing. Needing you, needing this, and it was gross. The man apologized, a faint sorry from under the rim of an orange hat. You had mentally prepped a joke about redbull giving him more than wings or an aggressive overtake. And then he does it again, this time his hands loop against your hips, seemingly trying to move you out of his way. His fingers hook against the straps of your orange thong and snap them. You want to scream, yell, to tell him to stop. But it's as if you've swallowed cotton. And the warmth of someone's touch against you was clouding your judgment. The stranger lets his fingers move up your bare stomach until your tits. He flicks at your already hard nipples, a little hum of appreciation. He comments that you're practically asking for it by not wearing a bra.

The voice is familiar, even though you can't exactly place it. Didn't all Dutch men all kinda sound the same. This one's hands were kneading your breasts roughly, more for him than for you. He was whispering absolute filth in your ears, the brim of the hat he won't take off digging into your shoulder. He smells like a gin brewery that was next to a coffeeshop.

"Look at you, just letting me touch you. Aren't you ashamed that a total stranger's groping your tits. Right in the middle of Amsterdam, mind you, with thousands of people around you. I think you like it. I think you're a little whore. Because if you wanted to, you could have asked for help. Look there, bimbo," he says as he grabs your chin and tilts your head towards the police at the edge of the crowd. "You want me to stop? Let's walk over there, and I'll let you report me. Hell, I'd even turn myself in. Yeah? Go tell the nice cop about me, I'm right behind you."

You try to move, and he follows. The stranger even lets his hands fall from your chest. But with every step you take, you end up going 3 steps back. It's a Sysyphean challenge. You stop suddenly, and the guy stops with you. You two are surrounded and pressed against each other. You're not sure who makes the first move again. You just know that you're rubbing your ass against his hard cock like an animal in heat.

He rolls his hips against yours, lifting your skirt with every movement. He can't help but knead your ass, feeling your skin prickle under his touch. When the stranger hears a low wolf whistle, you're dragged, literally through the crowd. He's taken his cap off and he's barking orders in Dutch and English, parting the people like they're the Red Sea. He ducks with you in an alley and you swear your drink was laced.

"Max Verstappen? What the fuck are you doing here?" You say, still unsure of what was happening. He shuts you up with a kiss, a bit sloppy and needy. You kiss him back, but then it all starts to be too much. He was a renowned athlete, a role model. Not someone who got a bit too handsy. That dawns on both of you at the same exact time.

"You could ruin my life. You could actually go to anybody about this, and they'll strip me of everything. It'll be Mazepin again, but this time with consequences." He says, and instead of stepping away, he begins unbuttoning his jeans. Sliding his boxers away and taking out his cock. Sizing it up against you. You plead with him.

He pretends to think as his hands go in your panties. He tells you how he's in deep shit as his fingers rub your clit. He goes on about how you should report him, how despite his celebrity status and the inebriated state you're both in, he's going down. You try to mention police injustice, how the odds are against you, even bring up Christian Horner. Your body betrays you as you talk. Your hips snap to match his movements.

"They'll come up with some bullshit excuse. That I was too wet or something. No signs of struggle, no bruises on you or something of the sort." You chastise, as he slides his fingers inside of you. One, then a second, in a hooking motion. He moves them with precision and you blush. In the small alley the sounds of your wetness echo. Max knows exactly how to press his fingers inside of someone to make them fall apart. You cum against him, despite yourself. You press yourself close to him, shut your eyes and let the orgasm wash over you. You're limp, letting him tap the head of his cock against your clit. Allowing him to thrust inside of you, burrying himself to the hilt. Telling you that "if he's gonna go down for this, at least he's gonna make it worth his while."

He tells you how good your cunt feels, how well you take his cock. He holds you down, muscles pressing into you, keeping you in place. He goes on this tangent about coming inside of you, leaving you something to remember him by. You don't have the heart to tell him he's the first and only man to fuck you raw. That his blue eyes and all of today will haunt your dreams. You can't express that what he's doing to you terrifies you, yet thrills you. That you just might be sick in the head for not hating this. Your warm wet cunt was drawing him in. Wanting him. Needing him. You bite your lips bloody. Yet he still catches your whisper of "please, come for me." His thrusts become faster, and he spills inside of you. If this were real life, he'd leave after that, blend into the crowd, and accept his fate. He'd wait for the other shoe to drop and get what was coming to him for being a disgusting pervert who touches women.

But it wasn't real life. Max was in a stupidly expensive Monaco sex club. Their new marketing ploy - get you in the door for a free visit and impress you so much you come back. He had to hand it to them, they followed up with him like a champ. Getting extras to play the drunk and disorderly dutchies. Even the set of the alley was good. Max casts a glance at you, his throughly fucked out girlfriend. You're sleeping with a grin on your face. He remembers the day you told him about your unusual kink. How the two of you would dabble in it, occasionally. He'd pretend to break into your shared apartment and rape you. You had been so loud and rowdy that night that your neighbors called the cops on you. But just before the sirens, you had come on Max's cock so hard, he swore he could marry you right then. After he was done politely explaining the misunderstanding to the policemen, he started googling. And a couple months later, here you two were. Completely immersive experience. And no sheets to wash. Max feels bad for the person who has to clean the floor after you squirt on it. In his defense, you didn't even know you could do that. He lets himself be photographed leaving the club with you in tow. Shoots off a few messages to his friends and the other drivers on the grid to also try it out. If he creates enough buzz, they'll give him a discount. And it's not as if his hefty paycheck doesn't allow him to visit sooner. Especially after he wins Miami. Because he has several bets going on - one with Christian, one with GP and one with Lando. He gets them all, collects the cash and says he'll invest it. He puts it on another night with you. Because the true key to Max Verstappen's winning strategy was a well fucked girlfriend.

#cw: dubcon #cw dubcon #cw dubious consent #f1 imagine #f1 smut #f1 x reader #f1 x you #f1 x female reader #darkfic #dark max verstappen #dark f1 #dead dove do not eat #max verstappen x reader #max verstappen smut #max verstappen x you #max verstappen imagine #max verstappen fic

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pucksandpower · 1 year ago

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Insomniac

Toto Wolff x wife!Reader

Summary: you’re tired of falling asleep in an empty bed due to your workaholic husband’s sleepless nights

Based on this request

You rub your eyes and blink a few times, adjusting to the soft glow of the lamp on the end table as you lift your head from the couch cushion.

2:17 AM.

Again.

This makes the fifth night in a row that you’ve fallen asleep alone on the living room sofa, having given up on the hope of Toto joining you in your shared bed upstairs. The cashmere blanket wrapped around your legs does little to ward off the chill of the night, and you suppress a shiver as you sit up.

With a sigh, you slide out from under the afghan, the plush carpet soft under your bare feet as you quietly make your way out of the living room and down the hall. The sliver of light peeking out from underneath the closed door of the study confirms your suspicions — Toto is still awake, still working at this ungodly hour.

Ever since the news broke that Lewis would be leaving Mercedes for Ferrari at the end of the season, Toto has been unable to relax. He barely sleeps, poring over stats and projections deep into the night as he tries in vain to figure out how to move forward.

You know he feels responsible — for building the team into what it is, for leading it to seven constructors’ titles, for creating an environment where Lewis could thrive. Letting him go feels like a monumental failure in Toto’s eyes, even though rationally there was nothing else to be done. Lewis’ mind was made up.

But knowing how reasonable a decision it was does nothing to quiet the ceaseless chatter of Toto’s anxious thoughts. He second guesses himself constantly, running through hypotheticals and what-ifs over and over.

What if he had offered more money? More freedom? What if he had anticipated Lewis’ wandering eyes and somehow convinced him to stay? But you know better than anyone that his hands were tied — Mercedes’ board of directors simply would not cooperate with his suggestions.

You understand Toto’s anguish, but his sleepless agonizing is starting to take a toll. The dark circles under his eyes are more pronounced than ever, and the weight of his responsibilities hangs heavily from his slumped shoulders. His embraces are no longer as warm, his kisses no longer as tender. He retreats into his own head, consumed by doubts and regrets, and you feel him slipping away day by day.

Enough is enough, you decide. If Toto won’t take care of himself, then you will have to take matters into your own hands.

You tiptoe to the kitchen and quietly replace Toto’s usual late-night dark roast with decaf. It won’t stop him from working, but at least it won’t add fuel to the fire of his racing thoughts.

After preparing for bed yourself, you head down the hall, suppressing a shiver as your bare feet meet the cool wood floors. Pausing outside the study door, you turn the thermostat down just a couple degrees. It’s a subtle change, but you know Toto will notice, and it just might make him long for the warmth of your shared bed.

Taking a breath, you gently rap your knuckles against the door and let yourself in. Toto is exactly where you expected, hunched over his desk with his brows furrowed, staring fixedly at his laptop screen.

“Hey,” you say softly so as not to startle him. “It’s getting pretty late, I’m going to head to bed.”

“Mmhmm,” he murmurs absently, barely glancing up.

You stifle a yawn, stretching your arms over your head. “Are you coming?” You ask hopefully.

“In a bit,” Toto mumbles. “I just need to finish this analysis.”

You sigh, walking over to him and sliding your arms around his shoulders. “Toto, please,” you plead, nuzzling into his neck. “Come to bed. You need to rest.”

He reaches up to give your hand a quick, distracted pat. “Soon, liebling. I promise.”

Accepting that you won’t sway him now, you kiss his stubbly cheek and head for the door. “Don’t stay up too much longer,” you implore, then make your way back down the hall.

Once in your bedroom, you go through your regular bedtime routine, brushing your teeth and washing your face. But instead of climbing into your big empty bed, you find yourself wandering further down the hall to the nursery.

Pushing open the door, you pause to gaze at your sleeping infant daughter in her crib, her little chest rising and falling with soft even breaths. The corner of the room holds a cozy cushioned rocking chair, and you sink down into it with a yawn, the lateness of the hour finally catching up to you. Your eyes drift closed as you let the gentle motion lull you towards sleep.

You’re not sure how much time has passed when you feel strong arms sliding under your knees and behind your back, lifting you from the chair. You let out a soft murmur, still more asleep than awake, as Toto carries you from the nursery. Resting your head against his chest, you breathe in his familiar scent as he brings you down the hall to your bedroom.

Gently, he lays you down on your bed, brushing a wisp of hair back from your face as he pulls the covers up around you. Through bleary eyes, you see him cross to the dresser and begin shedding his clothes, swapping his button-down and slacks for a t-shirt and pajama bottoms. Finally, he climbs in beside you with a weary sigh, and you immediately nestle against him, seeking his warmth.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers, pressing a kiss to your forehead as his arms encircle you.

You lift your head to meet his tired blue eyes. “It’s okay,” you murmur. “I know this has been hard for you.”

He shakes his head slightly. “That’s no excuse. You shouldn’t have to deal with my restlessness.”

You reach up to cup his cheek. “We’re in this together, remember?” You remind him gently. “For better or worse.”

The corners of his mouth twitch in a hint of a smile. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

“Hmm, I don’t know if it’s come up,” you tease.

He gives you a playful little squeeze. “Well I do. So much.” His voice grows more serious then. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m thankful for you every day.”

You grin and snuggle impossibly closer. “Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr. Wolff.”

His low chuckle rumbles pleasantly against your cheek. “I mean it though. You’re my rock. My safe place. With everything going on ...” He trails off with a heavy exhale.

Reaching for his hand, you lace your fingers through his and give a supportive squeeze. “I know. But it’s going to be okay. Mercedes will find their way again, with you leading the charge. You’re the heart and soul of this team, Toto. You brought them this far, and you’ll bring them even further.”

“I wish I had your confidence,” he admits softly. “I just hope I can live up to it.”

“You will,” you say without hesitation. “You’re the most driven, passionate person I know. Your commitment is unmatched. If anyone can navigate these changes, it’s you.”

Toto is quiet for a moment, his thumb gently caressing your knuckles. “Thank you,” he says finally. “Just … thank you. For believing in me. For supporting me. For loving me, even when I’m being a stubborn arschloch.”

You grin. “Well, you’re my stubborn arschloch. And I wouldn’t change a thing.”

He laughs then, the sound warm and rich, and you feel some of the tension leave his body.

“No more working until sunrise though, okay?” You implore, threading your fingers through his hair. “You need to take care of yourself too.”

He nods, eyes shining with affection. “Okay. I promise.”

Satisfied, you nestle against his chest once more, comforted by the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. His lips find the top of your head in a tender kiss.

“I love you,” he murmurs into your hair. “So very much.”

You smile softly, already drifting towards sleep in the safety of his arms.

“I love you too,” you whisper. And with a contented sigh, you surrender to the pull of peaceful slumber, the two of you wrapped up in each other as you should be.

No more empty beds or sleepless nights. Just the comforting nearness of the man you love.

Your partner.

Your home.

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mrsfancyferrari · 6 months ago

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This Christmas

Summary: LN4 + “There’s no way I’m letting you spend Christmas alone.”

Song: Last Christmas by Wham!

Author’s note: Just Lando being the best boyfriend to his girl. Well done to Lando and McLaren for getting the constructor championships! Please like, reblog and share this! 🫶

Word count: 5.8k

MASTERLIST - F1

Lando wrapped an arm around you, pulling you closer as the credits rolled on the movie you had been watching. The couch was warm, the atmosphere cozy, and even the remnants of the loud celebration from earlier felt distant.

It had been an incredible season for Lando and his team. They were the constructors' champions now, a victory that had led to a night of wild celebrations with friends and colleagues.

And here he was, still buzzing with excitement, while you tried to suppress a yawn.

“So, what should we do over Christmas?” Lando asked, breaking the silence. His voice was laced with anticipation, as if he had been savoring the question throughout the night.

You shifted slightly, your throat still sore from cheering too much, and murmured, “I thought I should stay over at my apartment and study for my exams.”

It was a practical thought, one conditioned by years of solitary holiday experiences. A part of you felt guilty even thinking of the studying when there was so much joy around.

“Studying? On Christmas?” Lando’s brows furrowed, and his expression turned into a dramatic pout. “So we’re staying over at yours then?”

You blinked in confusion, your heart skipping a beat at the thought. “Aren’t we having Christmas separately?”

Memories of past boyfriends flooded your mind, each one marked by their own traditions and expectations that rarely included you.

“God, I hate your exes so much,” Lando muttered, his tone shifting from playful to serious in a heartbeat. “You’ve never had a good boyfriend, have you?”

You turned to him, meeting his gaze. His eyes were sincere, a vibrant green that seemed to pull you in.

“I’ve never spent a holiday like that with anyone before,” you admitted quietly, biting your lip. “They always had their own family commitments.”

Lando shook his head, clearly frustrated. “That’s not how it’s supposed to be. Christmas is about spending time with people you care about. It’s about making memories together.”

You couldn’t help but laugh lightly, shaking your head. “And what about your family? Don’t you want to spend it with them?”

He waved his hand dismissively. “I’ll see them on Christmas Eve. But Christmas Day? It should be with you. I want you with me. We can have breakfast together, open gifts, maybe even start our own traditions if you want.”

He nudged closer, his brow furrowed in genuine concern. “You deserve that kind of love and happiness.”

His words warmed you, sparking something inside you that had been buried for so long. “You really mean that?” you asked, searching his eyes for any hint of doubt.

“Absolutely,” he replied, his voice steady and unwavering. “I want to make you feel everything your exes never made you feel. You deserve to feel cherished and loved, especially during the holidays.”

You couldn’t help but smile at his sincerity. “Okay, let’s do it,” you said softly. “It sounds perfect.”

As the realization settled in, a jolt of excitement coursed through you. This would be your first holiday together, the first time you could allow yourself to build a beautiful memory rather than keeping your emotional barriers up.

“Awesome! What do you want to do? Should we decorate? I know I’m not the best when it comes to that kind of thing, but I can try,” He grinned broadly, his enthusiasm infectious.

You playfully rolled your eyes, imagining Lando with glittery decorations and a lopsided Christmas tree. “Only if you promise to keep it from turning into a competition,” you laughed, knowing his competitive spirit all too well.

“I can’t promise that,” he replied with mock seriousness. “But how about this? We can make it a team effort. I can provide the muscle, and you can provide the creativity. We’ll create a beautiful Christmas masterpiece together.”

“Okay, deal,” you agreed, captivated by the spark in his eyes. “And maybe we can even bake some cookies or something?”

“Baking? You mean I get to eat too? Count me in! But, full disclosure, I might need your guidance in the baking department,” Lando chuckled. “Last time I made cookies, they turned into rock-hard, unidentifiable shapes.”

You laughed, picturing Lando in an apron, mixing flour and sugar, and it filled you with warmth. “We’ll have to do some research then. It’s not Christmas without cookies.”

“Great! This is going to be the best holiday ever!” He exclaimed, squeezing you tighter.

Resting your head against his shoulder, you felt the warmth of his body, the rhythm of his heartbeat matching your own.

There was a sense of safety in his embrace, something you had longed for but never quite attained in your past relationships.

“Lando?” you said softly, your voice barely above a whisper.

“Yeah?”

“Thank you for wanting to include me,” you replied, your heart full. “You really do make me feel special.”

He leaned down, brushing his lips against your forehead, his breath warm against your skin.

“That’s all I want for you, always. You deserve to feel special; I’ll show you how great it can be.”

In that moment, you both silently agreed: This Christmas would be different. It would be filled with joy, laughter, and the kind of love that made holidays unforgettable.

And as Lando pulled you closer and promised to make memories with you, you knew in your heart there was nowhere else you’d rather be. . . . .

The gentle rays of sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a soft golden hue across the cozy bedroom. You stirred beneath the plush duvet, feeling the warmth radiating from your partner beside you.

A lingering smell of something sweet and buttery wafted through the air, pulling you from the realm of dreams.

You blinked a few times, taking in the sight of Lando, still half-asleep, propped up with a tray on his lap. He smiled widely as he noticed you waking up, his green eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” he said, trying to suppress a yawn but failing miserably. “I hope you’re ready for the best Christmas breakfast ever!”

You rubbed your eyes to clear the sleep, instantly caught up in the delicious array of treats laid out on the tray—fluffy pancakes drizzled with maple syrup, crispy bacon, perfectly scrambled eggs, and a couple of steaming cups of cocoa topped with whipped cream.

It felt like a scene from a holiday movie.

“This… this is amazing,” you said, genuinely touched. “You didn’t have to do all of this!”

A teasing smile crept across his face. “Oh, but I wanted to. It’s Christmas, after all! Plus, you deserve it. You work so hard.”

As you propped yourself up on your elbows, he leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to your lips. You felt warmth surge through your body at the contact, and suddenly, the holiday spirit felt even more alive.

“I can’t believe you’re actually mine,” you muttered against his lips, still a little dazed by the sudden sweetness of it all. The very thought still felt surreal sometimes.

He chuckled, pulling back slightly, amusement dancing in his features. “As much as I love you, please let me kiss you in peace. I’ve worked hard for this breakfast, and I don’t want to risk it getting cold over kiss-tastic moments.”

You pouted playfully and attempted to frown, but it was impossible with Lando’s infectious grin in front of you. “Fine, but only because you made me breakfast.” You settled back against the pillows, eyeing him.

“Let’s dig in, shall we?” He lifted the syrup with a flourish, the motion exaggerated as if presenting a trophy. “The pancakes are the star of the show today, after all.”

You laughed, anticipation bubbling in your chest as he handed you a fork. “Feast your eyes, babe! And your stomach!”

As the two of you savored the delicious meal together, exchanging bites and laughter, the room was filled with a sense of comfort that felt right at home.

Lando would occasionally steal little tastes from your plate, and the playful banter arose naturally—making silly sound effects when he took a huge bite or pretending to be too full for dessert after just one pancake.

“I’m saving room for the pie later!” he said dramatically, clutching his stomach.

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help but smile. “Are you actually planning to eat pie after this?”

“Of course! Christmas is all about indulging, isn’t it?” He leaned closer, his eyes mischievous. “Besides, I have to make sure I can out-eat you. It’s a matter of pride, you know?”

“Pride? Since when has food turned into a competition?” you replied, laughing.

“Ever since I met you,” he shot back, leaning in for another quick kiss before you could protest. “You bring out the competitive spirit in me!”

The banter continued endlessly as you finished your breakfast together, the moments effortlessly turning into cherished memories. After breakfast, he proposed the plan of opening gifts.

“I can’t wait for you to see what I got you!” Lando said excitedly, his childlike enthusiasm palpable.

“Oh, really? You’re that confident in your choice?” You teased, arching an eyebrow playfully. “You didn’t just get me socks or something, did you?”

“Hey now, socks can be super thoughtful, but no. I went all out. You’ll love it,” he said, his eyes twinkling with a secret.

“Okay, Mr. Mysterious. Let’s see then!” You hopped out of bed, excitement mixing with a hint of curiosity.

Lando jumped up too, leading you to the small pile of gifts artfully arranged under the twinkling Christmas tree, adorned with ornaments that sparkled like stars in the early morning light.

After a whirlwind of tearing through wrapping paper, playful giggles filling the room with joy, you finally held the gift in your hands—the one that made your heart race a little faster.

You unraveled it carefully to reveal a delicate silver necklace. It glimmered in the light, a tiny star shaped charm dangling gracefully from it.

“It’s beautiful,” you gasped, turning to him with wide eyes. “Lando, this is perfect!”

“I remember you saying how much you loved stargazing,” he grinned, standing behind you as you clasped it around your neck. “So I figured, why not wear a little piece of the night sky with you everywhere you go?”

Tears brimmed in your eyes at the thoughtfulness of his gift. “You’re seriously the best boyfriend,” you said, your voice trembling slightly as you turned to face him.

“And you make me the happiest guy ever,” he replied softly, wrapping his arms around you. “Now, about that pie…”

“Not until you give me a kiss!” you laughed, finally slipping back into the moment's warmth and charm.

You tugged him closer, pulling him in for a series of sloppy, heated kisses. You couldn’t help but tug a bit too hard on his shirt, the thrill of the moment sending jolts of energy between you.

“Okay, we have to stop, we can’t be kissing the whole time,” you said breathlessly, pulling back slowly to catch your breath.

“...nooooooo!” Lando exclaimed, chasing your lips. His eyes sparkled with mischief, and his laughter echoed in the night air.

You giggled, enjoying the playful energy that surrounded you both. “Lando,” you began, a teasing glint in your eye, “we can’t just keep making out. What about the pie?”

He raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth lifting into a boyish grin. “The pie will wait. What’s more important? Dessert or a moment with you?”

Your cheeks flushed, and you felt a wave of shyness wash over you. “You know it’s not just about the pie...” you said softly, looking down at the ground.

But the warmth in your chest told you how truly valued you felt in that moment.

He took a step closer, his gaze locked onto yours. “I know, but moments like these? With you? They’re rare. And I want to savor every second,” he said, his voice filled with sincerity.

You smiled, feeling your heart swell even more. “Okay, maybe just one more kiss… and then we can eat the pie,” you relented, your voice laced with laughter.

“Only one?” he asked, feigning disappointment. “What kind of boyfriend do you think I am?”

You couldn’t help but chuckle at his playful demeanor. “The type that can wait fifteen minutes for pie,” you teased, leaning in for another kiss.

His lips were warm and inviting, and you melted against him before reluctantly pulling away.

“Alright, you win. Let’s have some pie,” Lando said, finally stepping back towards the kitchen.

As he reached for the pie wrapped in a cloth, you couldn’t help but appreciate how warm, intimate, and genuine the morning felt.

After cutting a generous slice and serving it on two plates, Lando nudged you playfully. “A taste of sweetness to go along with the sweetness of the moment. What do you think, my lady?”

You laughed, taking a bite. “Perfect! But you know, this still doesn’t compare to the sweetness I get from you.”

With a grin, Lando took a bite of his own slice. “Too mushy?” he chuckled, wiping a bit of whipped cream from his lip.

“Never,” you said with a soft smile, and before you knew it, you were both in a playful food fight—laughter ringing through the night as you tried to dab each other with creamy spoons.

Lando leaned closer, lowering his voice dramatically. “Well, get ready for a full day of mushiness. This is going to be the best Christmas.”

“Besides… you’ve already made this Christmas special just by being here with me,” he said, his tone unexpectedly sincere. “I wanted to create memories that we can look back on and laugh about for years.”

Your heart fluttered at his words. “You know, you’re really good at this mushiness,” you said, pretending to contemplate. “Are you sure you’re not hiding a secret poet inside of you?”

“Only if you promise to be my muse," he shot back, puffing out his chest theatrically.

The crisp winter air whipped through the city, curling flakes of snow into delicate spirals as they drifted lazily from the sky.

Lando had suggested a day out in the snow, a break from the mundane, and while he had every confidence in the warmth of layering up, you were still determined to make a splash and resolve the winter blues.

In the mirror, you surveyed the finished look; a long, teal woolen dress that hugged your figure gracefully and flowed just above your knees.

It had a deep V neckline, trimmed in a subtle silver, but what made it really stand out was the shimmering overlay—it sparkled just enough in the light, suggesting a hint of magic.

The back had a modest plunge, which you hoped would garner Lando’s approval while still keeping the winter chill at bay. You had paired it with thick, knitted tights, soft leather knee-high boots and the necklace Lando had just got me, intertwining style with practicality.

As for layers beneath? A snug thermal top kept you warm, unseen beneath the gorgeous fabric.

You stepped out of the bedroom, feeling like a princess bound for an ice kingdom. “Are you ready?” Lando called from the living room, his tone bright with anticipation.

You paused, taking a moment to admire his grin before approaching him. His casual outfit, a thick navy overshirt paired with dark jeans, looked effortlessly stylish.

But as you turned to present your dress, you noticed his expression change.

He fell silent, eyes wide as he surveyed your ensemble. “Wow,” he finally managed, his breath catching in his throat. “You look… stunning.”

“Do you like it?” You twirled playfully, causing the silvery accents of your dress to shimmer in the soft light.

Lando’s cheeks flushed a light pink as he tried to muster a composed response. “It’s beautiful. Really. But…” his brow furrowed slightly as he took in the lack of snug winter wear. “Are you going to be warm enough?”

You smirked, feigning indignation. “I have layers, you know. Underneath. And these tights are pretty thick. Plus, it’s all about the confidence, right?”

He chuckled, a warm sound that filled the room. “Confidence is great, but you’ll lose that confidence pretty fast if you end up freezing out there. I refuse to let you turn into a popsicle.”

“Lando,” you laughed, shaking your head. “I promise I am layered up. It’s a winter wonderland, not the Arctic. I’ll be okay!”

Yet there was something in his eyes, a protective flicker that made you warm in a different way. He stepped closer, brushing a lock of hair behind your ear.

“Please promise you’ll be careful. I’m literally all about the thrill of winter, but I’d hate to see you uncomfortable.”

You sighed, your gaze softening. “Alright, I promise I’ll stay warm,” you said, your voice teasing. “But only if you promise to enjoy this day with me without fussing over my dress!”

Lando rolled his eyes, his shoulders relaxing. “Deal. But I’m still going to make sure you stay warm.” He extended his hand toward you, a silent invitation filled with assurance.

Taking it, you felt an electric pulse of warmth flow through you, igniting excitement for the adventures ahead. “So, what is the plan for our day in the snow, Commander?” you inquired playfully.

“I'll keep it a secret for now,” he declared, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Okay, only if you promise to have food ready,” you chimed in, raising an eyebrow challengingly.

As you headed outside, laughter bubbling between you, the winter air wrapped around you like a cozy, albeit brisk, embrace. The world was a tapestry of white, and every step was punctuated by the delightful crunch of snow beneath your boots.

The air was crisp, filled with the soft scent of pine and cinnamon wafting from nearby holiday markets. You and Lando strolled down the bustling street, twinkling lights above illuminating your path in a kaleidoscope of colors.

The excitement was palpable, but you were still in the dark about where exactly he was leading you.

“Seriously, Lando, where are we going?” you asked, glancing up at him with a mix of curiosity and playful suspicion. His signature grin widened, revealing a hint of mischief in his eyes.

“Patience, my dear!” he replied dramatically, throwing an arm over your shoulder as he pulled you closer. “Good things come to those who wait.”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile. Lando had a talent for making even the simplest outings feel like an adventure.

“Are we going to see some kind of massive display of lights?” you guessed, your eyes sparkling at the thought. “Or are you just dragging me to some random holiday market?”

“Not just any holiday market,” he corrected, feigning seriousness. “This is the holiday lights tour of the season.”

“Oh, really?” you said, raising an eyebrow. “And how did you know I’d like that?”

“Let’s just say I have my sources,” he winked, pulling you into a crosswalk as the light turned green.

As much as you wanted to prod him for more details, the mystery was building a sense of anticipation that was hard to resist.

After a few more blocks of chatting and light-hearted teasing, Lando led you toward a charming park you had never seen before. Towering trees draped in white lights sparkled like stars, and colorful displays lined the pathways.

The sight was breathtaking; every glimmering ornament, twinkling string, and spirited figure crafted a wonderland of joy.

“Wow,” you breathed, taking it all in. “This is incredible! How did you find this place?”

“I have my ways," he repeated with a laugh, leading you deeper into the enchanting landscape. “But I know you appreciate the beauty of the season, and I wanted to share this with you.”

You shot him a grateful look, your heart warming. “Thank you, Lando. This is really amazing. The lights are so beautiful.”

As you meandered through the park, laughter and joy enveloped the atmosphere.

Children ran around, marveling at the displays, while couples strolled hand in hand, immersed in romance. The soft sounds of holiday music floated through the air, weaving together the spirit of the season.

“Look,” you pointed excitedly. “They have a giant snow globe! Can we go inside?”

Lando chuckled, his eyes twinkling. “If that’s what you want, then of course!” He took your hand in his, guiding you toward the globe adorned with shimmering snowflakes.

Inside the massive globe was a scene of animated holiday cheer, complete with faux snow falling gently from above and cheerful carolers. You both stepped inside, and for a moment, time felt suspended.

“This is ridiculous,” you laughed, playfully swatting some of the fake snow away from your face. “But also kind of magical.”

“Just like this evening,” he said, glancing at you, moments of quietude settling into the laughter. “You bring the magic, you know.”

You felt your cheeks warm as you met his gaze. “Stop it, you’re making me blush.”

“Good!” He grinned, relishing the moment. “Watch your step, it’s slippery in here.”

Just then, Lando pretended to slip, theatrically flailing his arms before catching himself, and you couldn’t help but break into hysterical laughter.

Once you exited the snow globe, you strolled back onto the path, your fingers still linked. The sparkles from the lights danced around you, and there was an indescribable warmth in your heart.

“Lando,” you said after a moment, “I really appreciate you planning this. It’s exactly what I needed.”

“Glad you’re enjoying it. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about it,” he confessed. “I just wanted to create some holiday magic for us, you know?”

“Yeah, I do,” you whispered, your heart swelling with affection.

As you walked, you found yourself lost in thought, the atmosphere so serene you almost wished you could pause time. The lights twinkled brighter above, like stars in a perfectly clear sky.

“I heard they have hot cocoa near the entrance,” Lando mentioned, breaking your reverie. “How about warming up with some?”

“That sounds perfect,” you replied enthusiastically. After all that magic, a cozy drink felt like the ideal way to cap off the evening.

The two of you shared laughter and hot cocoa, the warmth of the drinks a comforting companion to the aesthetic beauty surrounding you.

As you sipped and recounted funny stories from the past, the world around you faded, leaving just the two of you amidst the holiday splendor.

“What do you wish for this holiday season?” Lando asked suddenly, his eyes casting a thoughtful glance toward a nearby light display.

You considered it for a moment, glancing at him. “Honestly? I wish for moments like these to never end.”

He turned to you, a soft smile gracing his lips. “Me too."

And as the night wore on, surrounded by the magic of the lights and the warmth of shared laughter, you couldn’t help but feel that perhaps this holiday season held even more possibilities than you had ventured to imagine.

As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of lavender and deep orange, you and Lando returned home from a day of holiday festivities.

The air was rich with the sweet scent of pine from the Christmas tree you had picked together earlier that day. Lando opened the door to your apartment, letting you walk in first.

“Ladies first,” he said with a playful bow, a grin spreading across his face.

“Chivalry isn’t dead!” you laughed, glancing back at him with a smirk.

He followed you inside, shutting the door behind him. The warmth of the room enveloped you, contrasting sharply with the chill outside.

You sighed contentedly, taking in the decorations, the twinkling lights casting a soft glow throughout the living room, and the faint sound of carols playing in the background.

“Alright, movie time!” you declared, rushing to the couch. The soft throw blankets piled up beckoned you to snuggle in.

Lando plopped down beside you, the couch suddenly feeling smaller. He wrapped an arm around your shoulders, pulling you closer to him, his warmth radiating against your side.

“What’s our movie choice tonight?” he asked, scrolling through the streaming service with a look of concentration.

“How about one of the classics? Maybe ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’?” you suggested, settling into his embrace.

Lando nodded, a smile creeping onto his face. “Perfect choice. It never gets old, right?”

You grinned back, tucking your head against his chest. “Exactly. You can always count on a good old Christmas movie to set the mood.”

As the opening credits rolled, Lando absentmindedly began drawing circles and patterns on your back, his fingers tracing a gentle rhythm.

It felt soothing, calming your racing thoughts from the day's excitement. You closed your eyes and let out a small sigh of contentment.

“Do you ever think about how different our lives would be if we didn’t meet?” you mused softly, breaking the comfortable silence.

Lando paused in his drawing, his voice thoughtful. “Sometimes. I can’t imagine it, to be honest. You’re like my favorite Christmas gift,” he teased lightly, earning a playful elbow to his ribs.

“You’re ridiculous,” you chuckled, nudging him playfully. But you could see the sincerity in his eyes. “But really, I’m so grateful for you. You make everything better.”

He smiled softly, leaning down to press a kiss to your forehead. “I feel the same way. You’ve brought so much joy into my life.”

The movie played on, but your focus shifted more toward Lando, feeling the warmth of his body protectively enveloping you. It was as if the world outside faded away, leaving just the two of you wrapped in this cozy cocoon.

After a few moments, you whispered, “You know, you hold me like you’re trying to shield me from the world.”

He chuckled, squeezing you a little tighter. “Isn’t that my job? To keep you safe and sound?” His voice was teasing, yet there was a sincerity beneath the playful facade.

“Okay, but are you planning to fight off any villains if they come bursting in here?” you joked, tilting your head to look up at him.

“Ab-so-lutely. I’ll grab the nearest snow globe and defend us,” he said, a mock-serious expression on his face. “That’ll show them!”

You laughed, imagining the scene. “Oh no, whatever will I do without my brave knight?”

“Don’t worry, Princess. I’ve got you,” he declared dramatically, his serious tone breaking into a laughter.

With the movie’s plot winding through timeless moments and familiar faces, you found yourself lost in the feeling of Lando’s fingers tracing gentle patterns across your back, each stroke lulling you into a serene state of mind.

As the film reached its climax, his embrace felt like an anchor in a world of chaos, as though nothing could ever shake you both from this moment.

The room was dimly lit, save for the soft glow of the fairy lights wrapped around the bedpost. You nestled comfortably on Lando's lap, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest acting as a lullaby.

Just as you were drifting into sleep, you felt a gentle hand brush through your hair.

"Right, it's time for my last surprise," Lando said, his voice playful but urgent.

You stirred slightly, opening your eyes to meet his cheeky grin. "What is it?" you asked, the drowsiness still thick in your voice.

"Just follow me," he replied, standing up slowly to let you slip off his lap. Your heart raced with curiosity as he took your hand, guiding you upstairs.

The two of you ascended the staircase, Lando's excitement palpable. You could feel a peculiar thrill in the air, something almost electric. When you reached the balcony, he turned to face you, a mischievous smile dancing on his lips.

"Okay, close your eyes," he instructed softly.

You complied, trying to suppress your giddiness. Lando covered your eyes with his warm hands, then whispered, "Okay, 3... 2... 1... look!"

With a light laugh, you opened your eyes, and your breath caught in your throat at the sight before you. The moon hung majestically in the sky, brightening the velvety darkness. The stars twinkled like a million tiny diamonds scattered across an ebony canvas, and everything felt almost surreal.

“Lando…” you murmured, your hand instinctively reaching to touch the star necklace he had given you, one that had been a symbol of many cherished moments you both had shared.

“I had to wait for the exact time that it would look like this,” he said excitedly, stepping closer. “The moon is at its peak, and the sky is clear. It’s perfect!”

You gazed at him, a mix of awe and love swelling in your heart. “This is incredible. How did you know?”

“I’ve been watching the weather and the moon phases all week,” he confessed, grinning sheepishly. “I wanted tonight to be special—just for us.”

You wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him down to you, planting a tender kiss on his lips. “I love you so much,” you whispered against his mouth, filled with a warmth that radiated from deep within.

Lando held you tighter, the melody of the night wrapping around you like a soft blanket. “I love you too. More than you know,” he breathed, resting his forehead against yours.

The two of you stood in a comfortable silence, mesmerized by the night sky.

Occasionally, you would point out a particularly bright star, and Lando would respond with a playful commentary about its imaginary backstory—as if each one had its own history worth telling.

“Look at that one!” you exclaimed, pointing to a star that seemed to shimmer more brightly than the others. “What do you think its story is?”

Lando squinted up at it, deep in thought. “That star is called Stella,” he began, adopting a theatrical tone. “She was once a lonely star shining in the void of space, but one day she caught the eye of a comet—and now, they race around the galaxy together, leaving trails of stardust behind.”

You couldn’t help but giggle at his impromptu storytelling. “And what about us?” you asked, leaning into him as the cool breeze brushed against your skin.

He looked down at you, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Well, I suppose we’re like two stars in the same galaxy, always pulled towards each other, destined to shine together.”

You smiled, heart swelling with happiness. “I like that. It’s poetic.”

“I’m glad you think so. I just wanted to create a moment that we could cherish forever, something that would remind us of how special our time together is,” Lando said, his voice softening.

As you gazed back up at the night sky, you imagined the two of you, forever intertwined in the cosmos, like the very stars above you. The calmness of the moment enveloped you, and you felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude wash over you.

“Thank you for this, Lando,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper. “You always know how to make me feel loved.”

“I’d do anything for you,” he replied earnestly, his fingers intertwining with yours. “Every day with you is a new adventure, and I can’t imagine a better way to spend my life.”

The two of you leaned back against the railing of the balcony, watching as the stars twinkled and danced across the night sky. You found yourself lost in thoughts of the future, of all the moments yet to come, under the same moonlight.

“Promise me something?” you suddenly asked, your voice taking on a more serious tone.

“Anything,” Lando answered, turning to face you fully.

“No matter where life takes us, or what challenges we face, let’s always find our way back to nights like this. Together.”

His smile was warm and reassuring. “I promise. We’ll always find our way back to each other, no matter what. Always.”

“Merry Christmas, Lando,” you whispered, the words slipping through your lips like a long-held secret finally shared.

“Merry Christmas,” he replied, and in that moment, you knew that the world could change, and perhaps it would, but whatever came, you’d made a promise together under the stars.

With that vow hanging in the air between you, you both returned your gaze toward the sky.

As the night deepened, the stars continued to blink high above, bright and steady, just like the love that blossomed between you. . . .

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ild-rllrcstr · 18 days ago

Text

The Second Seat part 3

Lando Norris X You (female driver) / slight angst / 2.9K

part 1 / part 2 / part 4 / part 5

Summary You worked your way up to Formula One, contracted with McLaren, defying all odds. You play the team game: humble, strategic, and willing to follow orders, even if it means sacrificing podiums so Lando Norris can be the world champion. Every lap you sacrifice, every time you hold back, the world starts to doubt your talent. Lando sees it all. So he makes a choice: to give you the race, the recognition you deserve, and maybe his heart. You came for the drive, but you stayed for something more.

Warnings swearing A/N I realised the link for part two was not attached properly for some reason, but it's now properly fixed! I almost cried writing some paragraphs in this part, just so you guys are ready. Also, I did see the requests, I'm still planning this story and see if I finish this first or cut in some requests but I promise it won’t take long!

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After Monaco, something changed. The dynamic between you and Lando shifted. Cold, quiet distance. The last real conversation you had was on Charles' yacht that night in Monaco.

Since then, it was like you existed in parallel, orbiting the same team in different spheres. You showed up to meetings, sat across from each other in the McLaren briefing room, occasionally exchanged professional nods in the garage, but the easy banter, the occasional teasing, the warmth, it was gone.

Everyone noticed, and they tried not to act weird about it. Since the little Eureka moment enlightened by Lewis, it was also frustrating for the others to watch you two, but it was no one’s place to interfere. They don’t know how to.

Lando stopped expressing his frustration, just hitting the throttle harder, hoping to gain more advantage so you don’t have to be in more unfair situation anymore. But his bottled-up frustration was not helping much.

The media feasted on the tension. Rumours spread, questioning your ability, your place in McLaren, your results. Headlines swirled with loaded language: “McLaren’s Strategy: Sacrificing One for the Other?” “Rookie Dragging Down Constructors’ Fight?”

You said nothing. You just kept showing up.

Lando kept winning. With each race, his championship lead stretched further. He was leaving everyone behind, Max, Lewis, Oscar, all of them chasing his shadow. On paper, it looked like a dream season for McLaren. In reality, everyone knew it was a one-man show.

And you? You were stuck in P8 in the driver standings. Good spot for a rookie by historical standards, but in the fight for the Constructors’ title, you were dead weight. The math didn’t lie. The team had made their choice: this year wasn’t about the team. It was about getting Lando his championship.

You spent all summer as a moving roadblock for Lando, holding up competitors, defending track position with worn tyres just long enough to buy Lando clean air or a perfect pit window. Over and over again. The tactics that once felt strategic started to feel like sabotage. It was a quiet humiliation. One lap at a time.

It not only frustrated you but also Lando. He was winning, but he couldn’t celebrate the way he used to. There were no cheeky grins in the cooldown room, no energetic podium leaps. The media said he finally matured, but he was just drained, emotionally, and guilty, even.

The worst scenario came at Silverstone. You dreamt about this race ever since you drove, and it was equally important for McLaren to shine at home.

But the strategy calls came again. You stayed out longer than made sense, blocking a charging Racing Bulls train. Your tires were gone by Lap 40. Lando took the win, you dropped out of the points completely, P11. Your worst finish all season.

The crowd roared. Papaya flags flew. The pit wall exploded with cheers, all for Lando.

You slipped out before the cameras came. No press. No interviews. Just the back paddock tunnel and the hum of post-race chaos echoing somewhere behind you.

There were no pats on the back in the garage afterwards. Just nods.

“Nice job out there.” Someone mumbled as you came out of the cockpit.

You didn’t respond. Nice job, it must be a joke. Because what part of it was a nice job?

On the screen, Lando stood on the top step of the podium to a sea of British and papaya flags… while you sat in the driver’s room with your helmet off, staring blankly at the data. Nothing was going inside your brain, you know all the numbers by heart, it seems useless to look further anymore.

You weren’t angry. You were tired. Bone-deep tired. And somewhere deep in your gut, you realised something painful:

You hadn’t been racing for yourself in weeks. You were just... managing the traffic.

You saw Lando in the debrief. He gave you a long look. No words. No fake smiles. You saw the flicker of devastation in his eyes, matching yours hidden deeper.

You saw each other's frustration. But neither of you knew how to fix it.

A little part of you started to feel like perhaps Lando was right.

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Two months later, September’s Monza was still blazing with the Italian heat. The goal was still Lando’s championship. For you, the more you are to the end of the season, you more you’re making peace with yourself and accepting the frustrating situation. You get in the car, get instructions, and execute. Like a robot, not expecting much.

30 laps in, Lando was fighting with Lewis for P1. Both overlapped the slower cars by 1 lap and were going through the traffic area. The competition that was happening between Esteben and Nico was only making them harder to overtake. An unforeseen contact between the two slower cars caused Nico to slip, slamming off Lando’s right wing, also spinning Lando off the track. The day was wrapped for Lando and Nico. Here comes the safety car.

“Y/N, box now, after the safety car, switching to Plan A, start pushing.”

Standing P6 holding the traffic, you were oblivious of what was happening on the other side of the track. The announcement from your engineer was unexpected. You boxed, and when you came out, you saw the papaya car on the side of the track as you passed by. Lando saw you pass, the adrenaline within him started to pump, he realised something and was more thrilled than he should be at the situation.

“Is he alright?” you asked your engineer, more worried than you sounded.

“Right wing’s slammed off, but he’s all good.”

Shook off the thought, that’s when you realise it was the opportunity you were waiting for all along. You were P6, Lando’s off, with the gap reduced by the safety car, you have all the chance to do something here.

You breathed, pacing your breath for the rhythm you needed, each lap with the safety car, you adjusted, you were feeling your car, it was there on your side, both of you were ready to show what you had long been hiding all season.

Lando got back to the paddock, insisting on sitting through the rest of the race before heading for a medical check and the media zone. He didn’t even take a glance at his right-wingless car. His eyes were fixed on the screen, on you. The whole team was, with their breath tightly held. He went next to your engineer to check the more detailed data, and both of your engineers were on the same screen now.

By lap 43, you’ve overtaken Kimi and Charles, standing at P4 with 10 more laps to go.

The crowd was buzzing with excitement, broadcasts were fixating on the small gap between you and George in front. Charles was not far behind.

Lap 51,

Lap 52,

Lap 53.

You were fast. You were smart. And most importantly, you were free for once. It was purely you. You got the perfect last turn you’ve been practising forever on the sim, full throttle, and you ran through the finish line.

You continued the track after passing the line, slowing down, you’ve got nothing in your head, it was filled with dopamine. For once, in a long time. You felt like yourself, noises were completely out of your ears, until you heard screaming from the radio.

“P3! Y/N! P3! You fucking did it! Fuck yes! I told you she can do it! That was a fucking brilliant race. I told you to stop putting her on that stupid Plan C.” That voice, it was not your engineer, it was Lando on the other side of the radio.

“What?” You still couldn’t comprehend what you heard until you were pulled to the Parc fermé with a P3 plate in front of your car.

Cameras swarmed to your side, flashing, even stealing the spotlight from Lewis’ P1 and Max’s P2. You slowly climbed out of the car, still couldn’t believe it was real. The media were bombarding you with questions, and you stood still in your car, dumbfounded. You didn't even know how to react.

Lewis realised you’re in shock and lent you a hand to pull you out of the car. He gave you a big pat on the back, and you saw the crease at the end of his eyes through the helmet. He’s not just happy for his win, he was also happy for you. Max came to congratulate you, even though he was not happy about not being able to surpass Lewis. The papaya team of engineers and mechanics in front of you are roaring with cheers, this time not because of Lando, but you.

Someone helped you out of your helmet, you pulled off the balaclava and looked around, panting from the excitement. Among the papayas, you spot one white. Lando looked at you with the biggest smile you’ve seen on him in months. He stood there and then looked at you, and your eyes focused on his. For a second, the noises were gone. The cameras, the crowd, all gone. It was just the two of you, a small, fulfilling moment for the two of you.

“I told you.” Lando mouthed silently with his finger pointed at himself, then at you.

Suddenly, your eyes blurred, and warm tears were sliding down your cheeks, but you also had a smile on, this time a real one, not the good actress smile.

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In the cool room, you still couldn’t stop crying, Lewis asked the staff to give you some time in the washroom to freshen up a bit.

“That was well earned, Y/N, great great job, be very proud of yourself. You’ve been patient, and it’s time you reap what you’ve sown.” Lewis warmly smiled at you as you calmed down and came out of the washroom.

“Those were amazing takeovers, that last turn was clean and fast like you’re on a straight line.” Max was impressed watching the replay on the screen, and you know that was rich coming from him.

Standing on the podium got your eyes tickled with tears again. You held your trophy, hands shaking. You clutched the trophy tighter, the metal grounding you in a moment that felt too big to hold.

The champagne stung your eyes, but not as much as the tears.

As the anthem played, you stared out over the crowd, not just at the fans of McLaren, but at the girls in the grandstand who were holding signs up for you. The ones who saw you. The ones who now knew they didn’t have to ask for permission.

Tears slipped down your cheek again before you could stop them. And for once, you didn’t try to hold it anymore.

The press room was buzzing. Flashes everywhere. The journalists were excited, the questions came in fast, but for the first time, they weren’t tinged with doubts about you.

“Y/N, this is your first podium in Formula 1. You’ve spent most of the season supporting your teammate. What does today mean to you?”

You took a breath.

“It means… everything.” You paused, breathing in. “I’ve always said I was grateful for the opportunity, I am and will always be grateful, but I won’t lie and say it’s been easy. Today… it felt like the team trusted me from the entry of that safety car. I wasn’t just there to support someone else’s win. I was given the race and freedom. And that’s all I’ve been patiently waiting for.”

Lewis, sitting beside you, nodded quietly. “She drove like a lion today. It was beautiful to watch.”

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The debrief ended, and engineers scattered, screens shutting down, everyone’s ready for the small break before Azerbaijan in two weeks.

You were in the hospitality waiting room, showered, and packed. You were in your casual sundress, sitting on the couch, holding your trophy on your knees, staring at it and your own reflection on it. You were still processing the moment.

“It’s been five minutes that you’re staring at it, it’s not going anywhere, you know.” Lando was leaning on the wall, not far away from you. He’s watched you for a while, but you clearly didn’t notice him. He looked tired, but he had that boyish smile on him.

“I was waiting to see if they’ll take it back or something.” You smiled and mumbled, focusing back on the trophy.

“They won’t,” he approached. “No one will ever again, over my dead body.” You looked up at him. Behind the tireless, his eyes were full of pride and emotions that were overwhelming. Then it was watering.

“Why are you crying?” you burst out in disbelief. You knew he was emotional, but not in this way.

“I didn’t get my podium, that’s why,” he joked and smiled even though he was still crying.

And then your eye ached, and you started to cry again.

“Not fair, it took me so long to stop crying! And then here we go again!” You both laughed at how ridiculous the state of both of you was.

When Lando was wiping his tears, you approached and pulled him into a hug around his neck. He froze, not expecting it.

“Thank you, Lando. Thank you for believing me when no one else did. I knew you were trying to lead better so they don’t have to put me in Plan C, and I’m sorry for being so stubborn. Thank you so much for trying to stand up for me.”

He wrapped his arms around your waist tightly, sniffing.

“I fucking told you. If this is how you’re going to finally fight, I’mma DNF all the races until the end of the season. Lewis is still large behind.”

“We know you won’t, we know you still want that championship.”

“ I do.” Lando rolled his eyes, smiling.

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Later that night, you found yourself getting a call from reception again for Mr. Norris’ request to visit.

“Why do you always make the call? You know my room number.” You opened the door, looking at him weirdly.

“I thought it’s more polite and it gives you a heads-up.” He’s already changed and freshened up.

“You still have… exactly 30 minutes before we have to leave,” he continued, looking at his phone for the information, bad memory.

“For what?” You asked, pretending again, not knowing.

“Sir Hamilton put me on a mission to ensure you show up at the party. I’m on duty tonight,” he joked.

You shut yourself in the toilet for a good 30 minutes, coming out readied. But when Lando saw you, knocking the air out of him. He was not mentally prepared. You were in your mini sundress rather than the usual maxi ones. Lando wondered how many of those you have. Since Monaco, even though he was frustrated with you, those dresses you were wearing were doing something to him. Tonight it was refreshing, different, but he still liked it. The hotel light was thankfully not too bright lit so you didn’t notice the slight flush on his cheeks.

Shit Lando, you’re flushing like a 12 year-old. He told himself, calming himself down all the way to the villa outside Monza.

It was the first time you entered a room with all the familiar faces, some engineers, some mechanics, some friends and families, but there was no competitiveness in the air.

Lando walked in beside you, beaming like he had taken P1. He was the first one to grab drinks and pull you into the middle of a small circle, already laughing and telling stories. George, Pierre, Alex, Charles, Max, Everyone looked up as you entered.

“Oh shit, it’s McLaren’s rising queen,” Max teased with a grin, “Do we need to bow?”

“Careful,” George added lightly, “She might overtake you next.” There was no beef, no matter what happened on the track in the afternoon. Everyone laughed.

You stood a little awkwardly, unsure how to react, until Lewis walked in from the kitchen and immediately hugged you and left an arm slung around your shoulder.

“There she is.” His smile was wide, his eyes twinkling. “No one here deserves this night more.”

Charles and Pierre smirked, quickly glanced from you, Lewis, to Lando. The two whispered on the side. Lando’s eyes never left you, his grip tightened on his drink.

The music picked up. Glasses clinked. Few drinks in, Lando had a drink in one hand and was already dancing terribly, unbothered by the rhythm, pulling everyone into it.

He came to where you were sitting next to Lewis and grabbed your hand. “Come on. You’re coming with me to the dance floor.”

“I can’t dance.” You said shyly, but did not resist the pull by him.

“You just outdrove half the grid and got that trophy. You can do anything.”

You laughed, finally letting yourself be dragged in. Lewis smirked, seeing both of you from behind. He exchanged a knowing nod with Charles.

For the first time since the start of the season, you weren’t holding your breath. You weren’t calculating tyre strategy in your head, or checking who was watching. You were just there. Laughing, dancing, celebrating. With your peers, as one of them.

Lando didn’t leave your side the whole night. Every time someone congratulated you, he nodded like he’d known it all along.

At one point, Charles passed by, raising a brow to Lando looking at you with the stupidest smile on him. You were too busy talking to the others.

“Mate, I thought you DNFed today.”

Lando just raised his glass, a bit tipsy. “I did.”

“But you look like you won today,” Charles smirked.

“Didn’t I?” Lando looked at Charles quickly, his eye lingered back at you.

Charles laughed and shook his head, heading to confirm the little gossip with Pierre.

⋆⭒˚.⋆ ₊˚⊹☆ ⋆˙⟡⋆⭒˚.⋆ ₊˚⊹☆ ⋆˙⟡⋆⭒˚.⋆ ₊˚⊹☆ ⋆˙⟡⋆⭒˚.⋆ ₊˚⊹☆ ⋆˙⟡

#f1 imagine #f1 x reader #f1 fanfic #lando fanfic #lando imagine #lando x you #lando x reader #lando norris #lando x y/n

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f1cflcfic · 5 months ago

Text

The Prophecy (SMAU ft. Lando Norris) Part IV

pairing: lando norris x singer!reader (fem!y/n)

summary: what happens after the break-up that noone saw coming? as Y/N L/N gears up to release her next album, each song reveals a little bit of the past, present and future of her relationship with Lando Norris. Inspired by a curated playlist built around "The Prophecy".

note: this is RPF and is obviously in no way, shape, or form reflective of real persons.

genre: social media au, angst, exes to lovers, happy ending

[A/N: woops, turns out that it works better to split the final bit of the story over two parts, so this means you've still got one part coming after this one! Also, please note that we spend some time in Las Vegas in this part, so there's vague mention of alcohol and drunk shenanigans]

part i part ii part iii

♥･*:.｡｡.:*･ﾟ♡･*:.｡｡.:*･ﾟ♥

November 15th, 2026

November 17th, 2026

November 18th, 2026

[Daily Mail excerpt]

Y/N L/N, Louis Tomlinson and more arrive for Las Vegas GP Opening Ceremony

Alle eyes are on Las Vegas this week, as the city plays host to one of the most exciting Grand Prix circuits this year. Vegas never fails to deliver an adrenalin rush, and this race promises to be one for the history books. Not just for what happens on track, but also outside of it. Tonight, many F1 fans and other entertainment lovers will head to the iconic the Sphere for the Opening Ceremony concert. With names like Kygo, Chappell Roan, and Y/N L/N headlining, it’ll surely be a treat.

Of course, many will be paying particular attention to Y/N L/N, who arrived this morning with fellow singer Louis Tomlinson in tow at the stadium. The two have been friends for a long time, and are frequently seen spending time together. However, L/N’s breakup with F1 driver Lando Norris has caused some fans to wonder if there’s perhaps more than meets the eye between the two. The rumours have only been fuelled by reports of the two leaving parties together earlier this month, as they were both said to have attended Travis Kelce’s birthday in October. Representatives for L/N refused to comment.

Her latest album The Prophecy is said to have been inspired largely by the downfall of her relationship with Norris – who has steered clear of commenting so far. Critics have described the decision to have L/N perform at a GP as “aggressive”, and “potentially damaging” for the sport’s credibility. “It casts a huge shadow over what could be a decisive race for points in both the Driver’s and Constructor’s championship,” one F1 fan remarked online. Another refuted such claims, stating that it’s “F1 who invited her there in the first place, and it’s literally just a concert before the actual racing begins – calm down”.

Whether or not the singers are expected to make an appearance in any of the paddocks later this week remains to be seen.

November 19th, 2026

November 20th, 2026

[Excerpt of Y/N's interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live!]

“So your new album has been out for about a week now, and it’s projected to be at #1 – there’s a bunch of people in the audience who have literally been about here for days, trying to get tickets to this taping," Jimmy motions to a couple of fans who immediately stand up and wave at Y/N. She gasps and blows a kiss to them, “days?! Oh my gosh, thank you!" Y/N turns to Jimmy, "is it okay if I ..." she trails off before just jumping out of her seat to hug the two fans.

When she returns, Jimmy motions for her to continue speaking. "I mean it’s absolutely amazing, especially knowing that it was such a personal project and to see that reach so many people is mindblowing. I wish I could spend more time with everyone, but it’s been super hectic as well, promoting this record.”

“How is that for your family – how are they handling all the fame and attention? They must not see you very much,” he asks.

“It can be difficult for sure. They’ve always been really supportive of me chasing my dreams, and whenever it’s possible I try to fly them out or go see them. But yeah, sometimes that’s just not an option, or I’m honestly too tired to be social. I was in the UK last week, flew in to LA yesterday evening from Vegas, New York before that, and then I’m on a red-eye tonight again out of here as well. I think now that I’ve been doing this for so long, I’ve realised that sometimes you just need to let life in and hit pause. You can’t just give and give and give to everything, all at once.”

Jimmy nods emphatically. “That’s very well said – I have a really hard time picturing you not working, to be honest. What does that even look like?”

“Ha, I really love to read. I usually am carrying at least two or three books with me, and then I’ll leave them behind somewhere in a second hand shop, or those little book nooks?”

“So someone somewhere could be holding a book that you’ve read in their hands, and they wouldn’t even know it?”

“Oh 100% that’s the case.”

“If you'd only doodled in them, they'd be worth thousands of dollars, probably." He turns back to the people in the crowd. "Would you buy a book that's been read by Y/N?" They nod, and he grins. "See?"

"Now do you also use those books for inspiration when you write, or is it all just your own experiences?”

“Yeah I’ve surely gotten inspired by other artforms in the past – I think probably subconsciously even for this record. That’s where the idea of a song around a prophecy came from, fantasy novels.”

He feigns contemplation, regarding Y/N carefully. “Have you been able to change it, that prophecy? I just want you to be happy, and you didn’t seem that happy on this record.”

Y/N lets out an awkward smile and shuffles in her seat. “I think that I’ll always have difficulty letting go of this need for control, but I’d say I’m definitely in a much better place than when I wrote it. I’m happy, I’ve got great people around me who love me, so can’t complain.”

November 21st, 2026

[The Independent excerpt]

BREAKING: LANDO NORRIS WINS LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX!

The British driver was pictured celebrating with the McLaren team immediately after the race. Fellow papaya teammate Oscar Piastri had a disastrous start to the race, but managed phenomenal overtakes that eventually handed him P3. The double McLaren podium was completed by Lewis Hamilton, who edged out Max Verstappen with a crucial undercut earlier on in the race.

Speaking on the race, Norris said that he tried to treat it as any other and not think too much about defending his lead. “I’ve got my routines, that I’m trying to stick to as much as possible. Of course there’s some extra pressure, but we’ve got a strong car and I was feeling good about our lap times all week,” he shrugs. “Las Vegas is a great, but challenging track. I’m really pleased that we got the performance up enough to cash in on the pole position this time.”

Norris has now increased his lead in the WDC, which gives him a comfortable position moving into the final races of the season.

Many celebrities were stateside to attend the Grand Prix, but perhaps most contentious was the appearance of Y/N L/N, Norris’ ex-girlfriend. After opening the GP earlier this week on Wednesday, she had seemingly left Las Vegas to promote her album across the world. However, it seems watching her ex take the win was high enough a priority to fly straight back to Vegas on Saturday. The high profile singer used to be a frequent presence in F1, but stopped attending races as their relationship deteriorated.

Norris has been dodging questions about L/N all month, as her latest album is rumoured to have been inspired by their relationship. When asked whether or not it had affected his focus on the race after qualifying, Norris was quick to shut the reporter down. “It’s completely irrelevant to talk about that when I’m sitting in pole. If I decide to meet up with an old friend that happens to be in town, then that’s what I’ll do. Might even turn out to be a good luck charm, if anything.”

It seems to indicate the two have since reconciled, as they were spotted celebrating Norris’ win together with friends.

November 23, 2026

♥･*:.｡｡.:*･ﾟ♡･*:.｡｡.:*･ﾟ♥

You can read the previous parts by going here, part V is now available here)

♥ likes, comments, reblogs are always very much appreciated ♥

taglist (open) : @charlesgirl16, @linnygirl09, @hoeforsirius, @motorsportloverf1, @sarx164, @idkimbadwithusernamesandstuff, @formulaal, @tvdtw4ever @sadiemack9 @seonghwaexile

bonus: Tension song

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codewithnazam · 2 years ago

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Mastering Asynchronous with JavaScript Promise allSettled()

Harness the power of Promise.allSettled() to handle multiple asynchronous operations with ease in JavaScript. This comprehensive guide teaches you everything you need to know.

Introduction to JavaScript Promises What are Promises? When to Use Promises? Benefits of Promises Creating Promises with the Promise Constructor Understanding the allSettled() Method Functionality of allSettled() Differences from Promise.all() When to Use allSettled() Benefits of Using allSettled() Handling Multiple Asynchronous Operations Simultaneously Dealing with Mixed Fulfilled and…

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#allSettled() method #JavaScript allSettled async #JavaScript allSettled example #JavaScript allSettled tutorial #JavaScript async await allSettled #JavaScript Promise allSettled #JavaScript promise allSettled best practices #JavaScript promise allSettled vs Promise.all #Promise constructor #Promise.allSettled() method

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swiftiethatlovesf1 · 7 months ago

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Toto Wolff with wife reader. Feat their son, Jack. Them fighting over him bad mouthing and not doing anything to help Lewis for this season. And she's very disappointed. She's giving him silent treatment, no kisses/hugs. Maybe he'll do everything to fix it. Fluff/suggestive/angst. Tag me later!!! Thanks!! :)))

The soft hum of Jack’s cartoons played in the background, barely cutting through the tense silence in the Wolff household. You stood at the kitchen counter, chopping vegetables with precise, almost robotic movements, while Jack sat cross-legged on the living room floor, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing between his parents.

Toto had been trying to catch your attention all morning. You had perfected the art of the silent treatment, replying to his occasional attempts at conversation with curt nods or monosyllabic hums. It was killing him.

"Darling," Toto began for the third time that morning, his Austrian accent heavier than usual, a sure sign he was stressed. "Can we talk about this?"

You didn’t even glance his way, placing the chopped vegetables into a bowl with an audible clatter. The tension in your shoulders was palpable, and it made his chest ache.

"Jack, go wash your hands for lunch, sweetheart," you said softly, turning to your son with a gentle smile. Jack bounded up the stairs, leaving his parents alone in the thick, uncomfortable quiet.

Once Jack was out of earshot, you turned to Toto, crossing your arms. "Talk about what, exactly?" Your tone was calm but carried a blade’s edge, and Toto flinched.

"About this—about us. About what you’re upset with me about," he said, gesturing helplessly.

You scoffed. "You know exactly what I’m upset about, Toto. Don’t pretend you don’t."

He sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "Is this about Lewis?"

"Of course, it’s about Lewis," you snapped, finally unleashing the anger you’d been bottling up. "Lewis has given his heart and soul to Mercedes, to you, and this is how you repay him? By letting him leave without so much as a fight? By standing there while people drag him through the mud as if he hasn’t brought you seven constructors’ championships?"

Toto opened his mouth to respond, but you cut him off.

"And what have you done to support him this season? Nothing! You’ve let him shoulder the blame for a car that wasn’t even his fault. Do you know what it’s like to watch him get torn apart while you just… stand there? It’s shameful, Toto."

He winced at your words, your disappointment cutting deeper than any accusation ever could. "I—"

"No," you interrupted, your voice wavering slightly. "I don’t want to hear your excuses. I trusted you to have his back, and you let him down. You let me down."

Toto took a hesitant step toward you, but you held up a hand, stopping him in his tracks. "You don’t get to touch me right now, Toto. Not until you fix this."

His heart sank. For all your years together, your relationship had been built on mutual respect and trust. Seeing you so hurt, so distant, was almost unbearable.

"I’ll fix it," he promised, his voice firm despite the lump in his throat. "I’ll do whatever it takes."

You turned back to the counter, blinking back tears. "You’d better," you muttered, barely above a whisper.

The next few days passed in a strained truce. Toto made good on his promise to fix things, spending long hours on calls and in meetings, but the tension between you remained. He missed your warmth, your touch, the easy laughter that usually filled your home.

Jack, perceptive even at his young age, noticed the shift. "Why is Mama mad at you, Papa?" he asked one evening as they played with toy cars on the floor.

Toto sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Because I made a mistake, Jack. A big one."

"Are you gonna say sorry?"

"I’m trying, buddy," he said, ruffling Jack’s hair. "But sometimes, saying sorry isn’t enough. You have to show you’re sorry too."

Jack seemed to consider this, then nodded solemnly. "Okay. Good luck, Papa."

Two weeks later, Toto walked into the house with a rare spring in his step. He found you in the living room, curled up with a book while Jack built a Lego tower nearby.

"Can we talk?" he asked cautiously, and you set your book down with a sigh, gesturing for Jack to give you a moment.

Once Jack was out of the room, Toto sat down beside you, close but not touching. "I’ve spoken to Lewis," he began. "And to the team. We’re working on a proper send-off for him—something that reflects everything he’s done for Mercedes."

You raised an eyebrow, but he wasn’t done.

"I’ve also made a statement publicly, addressing the issues from this season. I��ve taken accountability for the car’s performance and defended Lewis’ contributions. It’s not perfect, but it’s a start."

You studied him for a long moment, searching for any hint of insincerity, but found none. "And Lewis?"

"He understands why I handled things the way I did, but he also knows I regret not doing more earlier. We’ve agreed to stay close, even after he moves to Ferrari. He’ll always be family."

Your shoulders relaxed slightly, and Toto dared to reach for your hand. This time, you didn’t pull away.

"I hate fighting with you," he admitted, his voice soft. "I hate knowing I’ve disappointed you. You’re my compass, mein Liebling. When you’re upset with me, I feel… lost."

Your heart softened at his words, and you squeezed his hand. "I just want you to do the right thing, Toto. For Lewis, for the team, for us."

"I will," he promised, leaning in closer. "I’ll always strive to be better. For you. For our family."

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, you leaned in and kissed him. It was soft and slow, a reminder of everything you’d built together and everything you still had to fight for.

When you pulled away, Toto rested his forehead against yours, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Does this mean I’m forgiven?"

"Not completely," you teased, but the warmth in your eyes told him he was well on his way.

From the doorway, Jack peeked in, grinning. "Mama and Papa are friends again!" he exclaimed, running over to join you.

You both laughed, pulling him into a tight hug. Whatever challenges lay ahead, you knew you’d face them together—just as you always had.

@pear-1206

#f1 #f1 imagine #f1 x reader #formula 1 #toto wolff #toto wolff imagine #toto wolff x reader #toto wolff x y/n

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vivace-formulala · 2 months ago

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𝐎𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭: 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒖𝒑 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒔 (𝑭𝑪𝟒𝟑 𝒙 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓)

🫵: “AFAB; same-aged ; reserve driver for rbr ; F2 Prema driver ; angst with comfort”

⌛️: november 2024 (rookiesm)

masterlist

While your feet grew heavier by the minute, it did some good, somehow, when it found you a quiet spot—sandwiched between barricaded areas between the F2 and F3 garages.

You sat on a secluded bench, your body curled into itself, as if trying to shrink away from the weight pressing down on your chest. The world outside this quiet corner of the paddock buzzed with the noise of F1 teams for Free Practice at Lusail Circuit, but here, in this small bubble of solitude, you could allow yourself to feel the disappointment that had been gnawing at you all day.

It was meant to be your year.

Your hands were shaking. You’d fought so hard—too hard, maybe—and yet, no seat. What Kelly said dunked you into cold water, confirming what you feared most: Red Bull had chosen someone else next season.

The day started with more hope. The Red Bull hospitality had been brimming with excitement for Free Practice. Two races left in the Constructors’ Championship, and you’d given the other teams a run for their money with the points you had fought tooth and nail for, subbing in for Max while he juggled being a world champion and a new father.

But today, with Max back, you were benched—playing interviewer for PREMA on Instagram, your F2 home.

Once the cameras stopped rolling and you’ve terrorized enough people on the paddock, you found yourself cooing over the three-month-old baby Verstappen, charming onlookers as the little one giggled at your antics.

“WAG in training, huh?” Kelly joked, resting a hand on the stroller, watching you both with a soft smile.

You stood taller, grin faltering. “What do you mean?” Around you, the crowd began to drift off, pulled back to the thrill of Free Practice.

Kelly smiles, not mirroring hers. “You’re a natural with the camera... and kids love you. They media try to find every flaw with us, you know. But I’m sure you’ll be a fan favorite... watching his races.”

Oh, but you weren’t a WAG. You were a driver.

“Well, I don’t know much about that, since I’ll be behind the wheel,” you replied with a laugh, trying to play it off.

That’s when her expression changed. Something softer. Something sad.

“Oh honey,” she said gently. “I thought you saw the news.”

Your brows furrowed, smile trying not to collapse.

Kelly's face became unreadable. “And… with you… and the Haas boy, I thought... well, I thought you’d be joining us girls this year…”

Your face paled and flushed all at once. Your ears rang. Your vision tunneled. The truth became unbearable.

You didn’t have an F1 seat next year.

Across the room—almost cruelly on cue—Christian Horner walked in. Surrounded by important people with clipboards and the media, he caught sight of you.

But he didn’t hold your gaze. Just like he didn’t hold his promise.

He looked away and left.

Your world tilted. You’d been promised a seat at Zandvoort. Max was there to attest. The stars had finally seemed to align. You’d built your career from the ground up—earned every point, every podium. You weren’t supposed to be clawing for a shot anymore. You were supposed to be there.

But instead, as the press release now confirmed: Y/N L/N—still trying to claw her way into Formula 1.

And so, that’s how your heavy heart found you. Tears threatening to fall, hands trembling as you clutched your phone with the stupid article. You didn’t know what to do. Didn’t even realize you weren’t alone until a voice cut through your spiraling thoughts.

“Oh Prema girl, you found my secret cry spot.”

Your head snapped up, heart skipping. The brown curls. The blue eyes. The teasing smirk on his pouty lips

Franco Colapinto.

Of course it would be him.

Monaco 2022 flashes in your mind.

Somehow, he always had this timing. Like he knew exactly when to show up—whether you wanted him to or not.

“What are you doing here?” you ask, trying to sound annoyed, but your voice wavers.

“Shouldn’t you be at Free Practice with Alpine?” You swipe quickly at your eyes, embarrassed. But it’s Franco. He’d seen you in all sorts of moments—just not like this.

He gave his signature smirk of his, leaning casually against the fence, tumbler in hand. “Yeah, but they gave it to Jack. Because of that article you’re reading,” he adds with a smirk before sipping.

You blink. Confused.

Franco shrugged trying to maintain his nonchalance. “Turns out, they don’t want me either. You know, despite half a season or whatever. Just the backup.”

Your heart twists in your chest, realizing he was in the same boat you were. You let out a soft laugh, though it felt more like a quiet sob.

“Wait,” she said softly, her eyes scanning his face. “You didn’t get a seat?”

Franco looked at her, the twinkle in his eyes fading for just a second. “Yeah,” he confirmed, his voice quieter now. “I didn’t.”

The realization hit her like a wave. Franco Colapinto, the charismatic and talented driver, a force in their older F2 days, the guy who had made a name for himself with his passion and fire in Williams mid season—was now just like her. Stuck.

You don’t know what to say. So you don’t. You watch him fiddle with the tumbler.

“Iced yerba,” he says, offering it to you. “Try.”

You hesitated, but not for long. You’d watched enough of his interviews with Alex to know the drill. Taking it in hand, you brought it to your lips and took a cautious sip. The bitterness hits immediately, your face contorting slightly at the unfamiliar taste.

“Yeah, it’s strong,” Franco chuckles, clearly amused.

You handed the tumbler back. “At least you’re up as a reserve,” you muttered, though the words tasted hollow. You didn’t even get a reserve seat— but of course you didn’t want to be a reserve. You didn’t want to be waiting in the wings. You wanted to be racing.

Franco took a sip, his expression softening as he sat down beside you. He didn’t keep the tumbler back, instead resting it on the bench between the both of you, where it sat as a silent testament to your shared disappointment.

"But you and me," he began, his voice light but meaningful, "we’re meant to go fast. Not sit on the sidelines.”

You let out a deep sigh, nodding as you took for another swig of the yerba. The bitterness almost felt comforting now. It was like the taste of failure—a reminder that misery loves company.

“It’s like…” you whispered, hugging your knees to her chest, feeling small. “A slap in the face, you know? After everything I’ve done, after how hard I’ve fought... I had a taste of the top. And now? Now, I take two steps back, and I’m back where I started.” You shook her head in disbelief. “How am I supposed to get out of this?”

Franco leans back, letting the hum of engines echo around you both. He doesn’t try to fix it. He just listens.

“Yeah,” he murmurs eventually. “Feels like it all means nothing when you don't get chosen.”

“Exactly,” you say. Your voice raw. “You just... you wonder if it was all worth it. If you’re just... not enough.”

Franco smiles, and spares a glance at you. “You and me, we’ve got the passion. The heart. The drive. They can’t take that away from us.”

You looked at him then, surprised at how comforting his words were. “How do you do that?” you asked quietly, the weight in your chest lightening just a little. “How do you always know what to say?”

Franco shrugged, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s the mate,” he joked. “But seriously, you’re more than just a driver. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you’re not enough.”

You smile—really smile—for the first time all day. “You’re right,” you say, taking a deep breath. “I don’t know what’s next...”

Franco’s gaze softened. “You’ll figure it out. And no matter what you decide, I’ve got your back.”

For a moment, there was a silent understanding between you both, something unspoken but undeniable. Your heart was still heavy, but somehow it didn’t feel as crushing with Franco beside her.

Cheers and claps filled the air— the sound of Free Practice finishing echoed in the distance, Franco stood up, offering you a hand.

“You want me to walk you back?” he asked with a mischievous glint in his eye.

You raised an eyebrow, not quite sure if you was ready to face the pit crews and the chaos again. But his offer was genuine, and there was a comfort in knowing you didn’t have to go through this alone.

“Sure,” you replied, standing up and brushing off the grass from your shirt. You walked side-by-side toward the garages, your heart still heavy but a little less burdened. You didn’t know what the future held, but for the first time today, maybe—just maybe—it would be okay.

As you walk, Franco pulls out his phone. “Hey, realized I don’t have your number.”

He offers it to you, grinning.

“Just in case you need someone to talk to.”

You smiled, tapping you number into his phone before handing it back. You didn’t say it out loud, but you had a feeling there was something here—a spark, a bond forged in the heat of the Doha Sun and in the trenches of disappointment.

For now, it was enough.

𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐈𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓

#franco colapinto x reader #f1 x reader #formula one x reader #f1 oneshot #fc13 x reader #f1 x reader imagines #f1 imagines #formula 1 x reader #formula 1 x reader imagines

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81pastrys · 3 months ago

Text

Grid Flirt

Part 8 / 13

Summary— The next race comes up and Horner refuses to let her qualify for the race

Warnings— Christian Horner. That’s the warning.

A/N— the next one is fun let me tell you.

Series List

After summer break we’re back in a paddock and I’m hesitant about the next race already. I look at charts and statistics from Maxs side. I can’t race for McLaren yet and not only am I mad about it, Horner is pissed.

Practices went alright. Not the best results, but to be fair I think Horner is still fucking with my car. Qualifying comes up and he tells me I’m not going on the track. “What are you talking about?”

“You aren’t qualifying, and you aren’t racing for my team again.”

“Surely you can’t do that?” I say looking to my manager.

“I can do what I want, it’s my car and it’s my team.” He shrugged. “You aren’t a part of it.”

“Really?” I ask. “Then why didn’t you get your reserve driver to replace me the rest of the season?”

“FIA wouldn’t let me.” He admitted. “So now I’m starting you back of the grid and powering you out of the race entirely.”

“Points out for you.” I scoff. “I’ve been top 10 this entire season so far.”

“I’m willing to take that sacrifice.”

“Fine then, fuck you.”

I walk to my dad’s pit and wish him luck and explain a bit of what happened. Then I head to McLarens pit and hang out there. “What are you doing here?” Brown asked smiling.

“Horner doesn’t want me qualifying, nor racing.” I say. “So I have nothing else to do.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re spending time with us!” He said. “How legal is it, what he’s doing?”

“No clue, my dad has never heard of anything like this either.” I shrug. “He’s out of points not me, I was for gaining points for constructors.”

“Well, we won’t do that to you.”

“I hope so.” I laugh. “No I think he’s just upset I called him off, and got another contract so fast.”

“We see your results and believe you’re worth working with so, he can shove off.”

I laugh and thank him watching qualifying, seeing my last name on the bottom with ‘no time’ Lando and Oscar qualify in top 5 and return the cars. They get out tired and exhausted. I congratulate them and walk to my dad’s pit again.

“Hello mi flor.” My dad said. “P8 for me and P12 for Stroll.” He smiled.

“I know!” I say. “You did good out there papi!”

“Thank you mi hija.” He said hugging me. “Go talk with Horner hm?”

“Yeah I guess.” I whine.

I walk to the RedBull pit and congratulate Max. “Why didn’t you qualify?” He asked, concerned and like a brother.

“Horner told me I couldn’t.” I shrug it off.

“So you’re starting at the back?” He asked.

“He doesn’t want me racing, I suppose he’ll let me go out for a few laps and then pull me in.”

“How are you so calm about all of this?” He asked fuming.

“I already gave him a piece of my mind a month ago Max, what else can I do?” I say, whining slightly.

“Fight for what you can?” He said. “If he isn’t putting a reserve out there, and you aren’t out there the points will plummet.”

“He understands and doesn’t care.” I say. “Maybe you can talk him into it, but no promises.”

Max scoffs and pulls Horner to the side. After about 15 minutes they emerge and Horner looks more mad than before. “I don’t want her winning more on my team Max, the answer is no!”

“Horner are you a fucking nut?” Max asked. He gained my attention. “The points will plummet, your team will go to shit!”

“Max, you’ll win the drivers championship, who gives a fuck if we lose the constructors?”

“You will, she’s always top 10 gaining you points.” Max said. “We still have 12 races, you need her scoring you points or you’ll be a laughing stock.”

“I’ll talk it over, but I don’t want her racing under my team.”

“That’s fucking childish.” Max said walking to me, grabbing my wrist and leading me to the back of the paddock. “He’s unreasonable.”

“Max, I don’t care to race.” I reassure him.

“Well then whats the point of you being a driver if you aren’t fucking driving?”

“If he’s doing this to ruin my career, it won’t work.” I say. “I can train harder, I can do the practice laps.”

“That’s not enough and you know it.” He said. “You just don’t want to accept it.”

He hugs me and I have no emotion anymore, if Horner wants to be a prick, then let him. Max is right, no matter how hard I train and how many practices I do, it isn’t really racing.

After a few hours Horner agrees to let me race. He just doesn’t want me winning. I can clearly leave that to Max. Doesn’t mean I won’t try.

Will she win? 👀

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grillthegridmydear · 5 months ago

Note

Oscar and number 7 🫶🏻 Thank u so much!

Spotify Wrapped - No. 7

Jackie and Wilson ~ Hozier

OP81 X Reader

Oscar spends his winter break on an extended holiday in Ireland after Lando and Logan decide they want good beer, good culture and a (hopefully) White Christmas.

Meeting her was the last thing he was expecting.

A/N: Kicking it off with Hozier is terribly on brand, set in Dublin cause it's my hometown.

The sheer volume of people trying to battle their way through Grafton Street could have filled a grandstand. This was the only thing that Oscar could think as he tried his best to follow Logan and Lando down the busy street, trying desperately to avoid bumping into passing strangers, their arms loaded with shopping bags as they dart between stores trying to get last minute gifts as the snow fell above them. It was December 17th and instead of spending Christmas at home with his family in Australia or even in his new home in Monaco that he has been living in for less than a year, Lando essentially made the decision for him.

Oscar was added to a groupchat with all of the remaining single drivers and Lando dropped the bomb that he was organising a trip for the winter break to let off steam and enjoy themselves before the 2025 season kicked off. Logan was going because he had recently signed to drive with a new team in a different series, so it would probably be the last time they would be able to see him for a while due to everyones busy schedules. Everyone else had plans with their families or another convenient excuse not to attend, but Oscar was still riding the high of their Constructors Championship victory over Ferrari, and with the promise of spending time with Logan he was very quickly sending a thumbs up to the plan and booking a plane ticket. A month in Dublin, Ireland so that they could be close enough to home that if Mclaren called them back to the MTC they could be there within a few hours. What could go wrong.

After apologising to the third person he bumped shoulders with in the last five minutes Oscar was beginning to regret agreeing to leave the apartment they had booked. It was cold and crowded and honestly he would have been happy with going to a quiet dinner with the boys before relaxing. Lando finally managed to guide them to the mouth of the street and across the road to stop somewhere out of the way of traffic. "Pub anyone?" Lando voiced their collective opinion out loud, the cold was starting to eat through their jackets and honestly with the amount of sightseeing they had been doing since they arrived a week ago, just sitting down with a drink sounded great to Oscar.

Logan started trying to google where they should go while Lando was arguing that they should just start walking in a random direction. Looking back to that moment Oscar was sure that it wasn't a coincidence that they managed to stop directly outside the gates of Trinity College University (a place Oscar only remembered the name of because of the tour they took a few days prior, to look at some old book, it was Logan's idea) because just as they finally seemed to settle on a place Lando immediately searched for the first person he could see to ask for directions. "Excuse me love, could you tell us how to get to The Temple Bar?"

Oscar heard her laugh first, but once he turned to look at the poor girl his teammate was harassing he was a goner. She was dressed far better for the cold than they were, her long black wool coat matched her boots and by the smile on her face he could tell that she thought the question was ridiculous. There was a sparkle of recognition in her eyes as she took in the trio of racers stood in front of her. "I could, but you'd be spending outrageous money for a shit pint and its so crowded this time of the day you might not get a table for hours." Out of the corner of his eyes Oscar could tell that Logan and Lando were content to start looking for other people to ask but he bet them to it. "Would you know somewhere better we could go?" His voice made the other two boys stop in their tracks and look at the her expectantly, and good god Oscar was not ready for her to aim that megawatt smile at him, he could physically feel his heart stutter and begin racing. "I might, I'm actually heading there myself if you boys want to join me?"

That was how they ended up on the other side of the big river that Oscar couldn't care to remember the name of right now, joining a table of four people in the beer garden of Fibber Magees. They had been there for two hours but he wouldn't have been able to tell if not for the fact that the band that was playing music inside the pub when they arrived had ended their set, another one quickly taking their place. Lando had disappeared with one of your friends to grab another round of drinks, and Logan was too busy talking to another one about the NFL. But Oscar, he was completely captured by her. The night stretched on with the Aussie hanging onto her every word, learning about her studies, her hobbies, the man was so whipped that by the time the bar was calling for the last orders of the evening he knew her favourite bands by name and had the names of her dogs (Jackie and Wilson) comitted to memory.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ ✦

As the group tumbled out onto the streets that were started to become littered with snow, everyone was having a blast, and clearly, no one wanted the night to end. However, the promise of early engineering lectures and a date with that absurdly old library from earlier in the week had the girl that Oscar was sure he could sketch in perfect detail deciding to retire for the evening, but not before she whipped her phone out of that obscenely warm coat she wore and held it out to him.

It took a beat before Oscar figured out that she wanted his number, and despite how cold his fingers had now gotten he triple checked that he had in fact not mis typed the wrong digits, the name 'Oscar (from Fibbers)' being his final addition before he handed it back to her. The laugh that left her was warm, so much so that his nearly frost bitten fingers were completely forgotten in that moment. She started typing on the screen and when she pivoted the screen back to him so he could read it, where his contact name had originally sat on the top of the now open chat a new name took its place, 'lucky number 81 🧡' now filled the space and before he could think about how he hadn't ever actually told her that he was the famous Oscar Piastri that drove for Mclaren F1 and not just Oscar the Australian tourist that had been slowly falling in love with her for the last 6 hours, she stood on tip toes to land the softest kiss on his cheek. And with that, she gathered her friends, and before he could move from the spot he was rooted to, the group had already turned the corner at the end of the street and was gone.

When the trio finally made their way back to the apartment and stopped making fun of him for his smitten behaviour, Oscar was distracted by his notification tone. The text was simple, and attached was a Google maps link to Irish International Circuit Mondello Park.

Unknown Number: you did really well last season, but I want to see if you've still got those karting skills. Friday at 12, don't be late!

Fibbers girl xx

. ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

The season had officially drained Oscar and best believe that he was ready for his winter break to start, the final laps of the Abu Dhabi GP had his entire life's dream in its grasp, Mclaren has already secured their fourth constructors championship in a row and now he and Lando were neck and neck for the drivers championship. Not starting from pole was not ideal for the aussie but after an intense back and forth overtaking fight with Max and Lando and a red flag pitstop from Esteban in his Haas, Oscar found himself leading the final lap of what has to be the drive of his life. Tears welled in his eyes and the rumble of screams from the grandstands could be heard over the throttle. The last corner was finally behind him and before he could process that his championship fight was finally over, with him victorious, he was out of the car, weighed for the FIA and being hoisted onto the shoulders of his team.

But the moment that finally grounded him to reality was when he finally managed to escape from the clutches of Zak and his extreme enthusiasm and let his eyes fall on his family still stood crowding the barriers. His sisters finally managing to hop the fence and tackle him into the biggest hug the three girls could muster. There were times that Oscar felt like the worst brother in the world. Leaving his home and family to chase what seemed like an impossible dream, leaving Mae Edie and Hattie behind only experiencing them growing up through photos in family group chats, late night face time calls and flying visits to his home between races. They were proud of him though, he could see it in their eyes as they finally relented their vice grips on him.

His mother stood in place behind the barrier, the tears in her eyes and the smile on his face telling him that all their sacrifice was worth it, that her pride in him would never waver and that before he was the new world champion, he was her son.

Finally, his eyes landed on her.

The warm wool winter coat that he met her in that day was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a papaya dress that did absolutely nothing to hide her growing belly, or the ring on her finger. The smile on her face split his heart in two the same way it did in the freezing cold years ago, and for a second, he considered pulling a Rosberg. He was world champion, he had nothing left to prove, so disappearing from the racing world to spend his life wrapped up in you, in your growing family, and Jackie and Wilson who were no doubt snoozing on their couch at home in Monaco.

Well it didn't sound bad, not one bit.

. ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

Did I start this over a month ago?? Yes.

Life got busy for a hot sec so I'm extending this event until the season starts in March.

Hope you enjoyed xx

A xx

#formula 1 #f1 x reader #f1 fanfic #x reader #oscar piastri #oscar piastri x reader #oscar piastri x you

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charles-leclerc-official · 1 year ago

Text

2024 Japan Grand Prix Race Analysis

My analysis of the 2024 Japan Grand Prix. Table of contents below detailing the order of the post. We have a lot to cover as this was an eventful race so I am not going to waste time making introductions.

Table of Contents Ferrari – Race strategy: qualifying and tyre management – Charles: his qualifying and his race – Carlos: his race – In depth data and pace analysis Mclaren – Race strategy – Tyre management/Charles – Pace VCARB – Yuki: his race – Daniel: his crash with Alex Red Bull Mercedes Williams – Logan: his race – Team car problems Stake Concluding Thoughts

Ferrari

Ferrari had Carlos start in P4 and finish P3. Charles started P8 and finished P4. They both further secured Ferrari's lead for second in the constructors as well as keeping the WDC and WCC still competitive against Red Bull.

This race highlighted some areas that need to be improved on the SF-24 but more importantly it also showed some of the massive improvements that Ferrari has made in development and that is what made this race very exciting for Ferrari fans.

Once again the Ferrari strategy was great. It would have actually been good to mid if it were not for Charles having the skill and confidence to go for the one-stop strategy. But this is another race where I don't think they could have done anything better.

As it was with the starting grid positions Charles was looking at maybe getting P7 or P6 with a 2 stop strategy. And that strategy was most likely given the track and how much deg there usually is at Suzuka.

The reason Charles made it to P4 was because of his superior driving and tyre management, and Ferrari listening to him when he said he wanted to go for the one-stop strategy. They listened and it was 100% the right call on Charles’ part.

Charles outperformed what should have been possible. If you don’t believe me just look at what Max, Lando, Oscar, Checo, Mclaren, and Red Bull are saying about his tyre management. Charles in the SF-24 was the only one who could have pulled that one-stop off. Seriously, the fact that Max didn’t think he could have done it is really all you need to know. They saw that and were genuinely impressed not only by the car but by Charles, because we saw that with Carlos he was struggling more with tyre deg and that was with a two-stop approach.

So not only was this the best strategy to maximize points for Charles this race given his starting grid position, it was also just a truly phenomenal drive from Charles himself.

And once again we are seeing incredible strides being made at the Ferrari pit wall in terms of timing and strategy. The pit stops for both drivers were on point. They listened to Charles and went with the strategy he wanted and it worked!

Everything I saw this race was so promising for the trajectory of Ferrari and Charles’ season, and beyond into 2025 and 2026.

Charles: Race, Qualifying, and Free Practice

Charles ran a truly insane race. The only reason he gained all of the positions he did was because of his choice to do the one-stop and not only that but making it work! He gained every position it was possible for him to take and then some. His tyre management on this high degredation track was borderline supernatural.

Charles pulled off zero to negative tyre degradation on both sets of his tyres. (Negative deg is when faster laps are set as the tyres age) This was without question the best tyre management performance we have seen from a driver in 2024. It is something that no other driver could pull off (either due to skill, driving style, or machinery) and that is why Charles is Ferrari.

Have I waxed on long enough about Charles and his tyres? Just wait till you get to the Mclaren section.

I also have a lot more to say about his pace and tyres in the data section.

For now let's move on to some of the questions people might have about what happened to Charles in qualifying and FP3.

Charles qualifying position was decided in free practice. I want to try to be brief, so here is a quick timeline of why Charles’ didn’t have the optimal setup for qualifying (this also applies to Carlos because both Ferrari’s underperformed in qualifying, there was a difference of 1/10th between them so it really was just a matter of the field being so tight)

Suzuka is colder during the day than any race we’ve had so far this year. With the SF-24 being so good with tyre deg that is actually a problem because it means that getting the tyres to warm up takes longer.

The loss of all of FP2 due to rain was a big blow to Ferrari and especially Charles.

Charles has been having more issues getting his qualifying settings right to manage the tyre warming issue. This is due to his personal setup choices and driving style. Being gentler on the tyres in a car with less deg is leading to him underperforming in qualifying.

So we lost valuable time when Ferrari really needed to understand the SF-24 behavior in the colder Suzuka temps.

FP3: Charles and Carlos both got in some race sim laps, but only got to squeeze in 1 or 2 flying lap tests at the very end. Charles especially was frustrated by this. I believe that this came from not having the time to complete all of the program they had outlined to prep for qualifying and the race.

Going into qualifying Charles didn’t have enough data to guide his settings for Q1. They went with a certain setup they hadn’t gotten to fully test and it didn’t work. Which led to them having to send Charles out again in Q1 with a different setup on another set of softs to try to set a better lap in Q1.

In Q3 Charles only had 1 set of softs remaining to set his best lap. It was okay but not enough. I do think that over qualifying he did get settings better on the car and if he’d had another set of softs he might have made it up to P6 (possibly P5) the middle of the field was very close so I don’t think this qualifying placement and time was as bad as it looks. It certainly isn’t great, but compared to his teammate and the rest of the top teams it wasn’t so concerning.

So the lack of enough free practice to figure out the best qualifying setup for Charles in the colder temps is really what cost them here. I think this is why we saw Charles very frustrated at not having the time to do more flying laps during FP3 and Fred also not happy with the program they ran during all free practice sessions.

All of this does apply to Carlos as well. We’ve seen him qualify better in 2024 too so this was just a matter of the SF-24 settings on flying laps given the colder temps and the track.

This is a current issue for the SF-24, but it is something that can be developed and I think there are certain upgrades that will address this. It is better to have a car base that is too gentle on the tyres than the other way around. The SF-24 tyre treatment is a good base to work with. This weekend just highlighted areas where improvements need to be made. The unfortunate part was the loss of FP2 because that was going to be important for colder temp data gathering.

I want to once again now take the time to shut down some narratives about Ferrari's race specifically relating to Carlos' lap 46 pass on Charles:

The reason Charles and Ferrari let Carlos pass was because Carlos was on newer tyres and thus had overall faster lap times.

It’s insane to expect a team to keep the car that has faster pace behind. I could see it if it was a difference of 1/10th or something or if it was the last lap of the race, then it’s up for debate. That wasn’t the case here, Carlos with the tyres that were 10 laps newer was almost 1 second faster. Keeping him behind would have not only compromised his race but also possibly Charles’. We don’t want a car just hovering behind the other. As we heard on the radio the main concern was keeping Lando behind. As far as gaining significant placement this race goes we always knew Lando was going to be Charles' competition. If the cars were fighting over pace with this big of a discrepancy in the pace we would have seen disastrous results.

Charles knew this and this is why he let Carlos by. He was never intending to race Carlos(he literally said this in interviews after). With the way they started on the grid it was not going to be in the cards this race. Charles said as much and he isn’t upset about it.

“Carlos overtook Charles”: No, Charles let him pass because that was strategically optimal for both Ferrari drivers.

“Carlos’ pace was better”: No, he was on a completely different tyre strategy, the only reason he was faster is because he did two stints on mediums and then finished on newer hards. Charles overall race pace and tyre management was better. This is just a result of 1. Different starting positions and 2. Different tyre strategies. It’s very hard to do a driver-to driver comparison with blanket statements when they are on different strategies.

“Ferrari gave the order to switch with Sainz”: No, they just didn’t do that, I don’t know what race you were watching.

“They should have told Carlos to defend”: That would have been a bad strategy choice for both drivers. There is a lot more than current track position that goes into strategy calls.

"Ferrari strategy screwed Charles over again": No, Charles chose his strategy(and it was the right call). Ferrari did great in supporting him.

I don't understand why people want to run this narrative that we keep getting Silverstone 22' level strategy calls when that is just not happening.

Now Charles radio after the race may have sounded disappointed and in the heat of the moment he probably was. However in interviews after the race he was very happy with the car (I think he realized just what a good performance he put in) but also I think his big takeaway from this race was that Ferrari have given him a strong base to work with(finally) and he has been only saying more positive things since then.

Ferrari did amazing supporting both drivers. Especially Charles because it was his call to do the one-stop and they listened to him and supported him perfectly throughout running that strategy.

Carlos

Carlos ran a clean race. He gained the one position which is about what we'd expect from the car he was in and his starting position. His performance also gave us really good baseline data for the SF-24.

His race was mostly decided in qualifying and also the fact that Mclaren struggled far more than expected on this track. Ferrari initially thought he might have to fight Lando more for that position but Mclaren's struggle was Carlos' gain.

I also think that just this race in general from him and his driving style was really good data for the SF-24 to inform development and that is awesome!

I don't have a ton to add, it was good, got those WCC points for Ferrari and that's exactly what we want to see from him.

In Depth Data Analysis

The name of the game here is tyre wear. The SF-24 (especially in Charles' hands) has had phenomenal race pace and that is due to the fact that this car is so easy on the tyres. However Charles is the driver who has been able to pull this feature out of the car due to his driving style and tyre management skills.

We are going to look at a comparison of Charles' and Carlos' data to highlight exactly what was so interesting about Charles' pace. And then also adding in Max, because as the driver to beat he is a good benchmark(as well as showing the top performance of the RB-20)

Here is a comparison of lap times between Charles and Carlos, corrected for tyre age(because they were on different strategies)

For the medium tyre I used both their first medium stints. Carlos did two stints on mediums, I used his first stint for comparison because it means both tyres were subject to the same time of day and track temps and conditions.

Now the lap times themselves here aren’t as important. Carlos and Charles were in different spots on the track and Carlos was in much cleaner air even on that first stint. The real thing to look at is the way Charles lap time stays consistent, and even gets faster as the age of the tyres progresses, while Carlos starts off with his best speed and then gradually gets slower. Carlos’ pace here is an example of what we expect to see - as tyres age they get slower so his pace on these tyres is perfectly normal, by the time he got to lap 14 before he pitted he’d lost more than a second of pace on those tyres (which is normal and expected). Then we can then look at Charles who is getting almost the exact same lap time out of his 11 lap old mediums as the first lap. Where Carlos has lost more than a second, Charles has lost nothing. Furthermore you can see multiple instances of an increased speed on his previous laps, which indicates negative tyre degradation. This goes against general tyre wear behavior and can only be attributed to Charles’ skill in extending the pace of his tyres.

I want to add that both driver’s pace was excellent and that both their performances would not have been possible without the massive leap Ferrari has made with the SF-24 and race pace tyre degradation.

Again looking at the hards the actual lap time is not important here, Charles and Carlos were running very different strategies at this point. Charles was racing to extend the life of the tyres to pull off a one-stop and Carlos was trying to regain position near the front. What we are looking at is once again the way the lap times increase for Carlos steadily, and just don’t for Charles.

Charles once again was pulling essentially the same lap time on 11 lap old hards, while Carlos had lost a full second. The sheer consistency here is what is scaring the other teams.

I want to note here that none of this is meant to make Carlos look bad. I think his runs and tyre treatment were pretty good overall, but when your teammate is defying the laws of physics in the same car it can even make a good drive look not as great. But I have no issues with how Carlos managed, he gave a good example of what I would say is the base deg for the SF-24.

Now I want to compare Charles’ pace to Max’s, again correcting for tyre age.

This is helpful because this is where we can get a look at match-ups for the future, the strengths of the SF-24 compared to the RB20.

Here is where it gets interesting. Max on the hards was managing degradation amazingly, right on par with Charles.

The big difference is on the mediums. After 11 laps Max had lost over a full second of pace on the mediums and Charles had not.

This gap is where we are going to see big results come in from the SF-24 in the future. If I were Red Bull I’d be worried about this. And this is why they are also specifically worried about Charles, because we see that the SF-24 in Carlos hands is behaving as expected as far as tyre deg goes, the real threat based on the data is the combination of Charles Leclerc and the SF-24.

Deltas Δ

Now let's take a look at what the change in pace lap to lap looks like for Charles, Max and Carlos. Again using those first 11 laps on the mediums.

Lap deltas are the change in lap time lap-to-lap, and this is a metric that shows if a driver is keeping pace, gaining pace or losing pace. Positive numbers mean a loss of pace, negative numbers are a gain. This is calculated by the equation of (Lap time B - Lap time A = change in pace or the delta Δ) So it's just the time difference lap to lap. This is how we can take a look at the actual pace and correct for lap times (which are not important here)

On it's own this doesn't look like much, yes Charles is managing best, but Carlos is also ahead of Max. This is showing where the SF-24 is better than the RB-20. The fact that of these three drivers Max is the worst on this metric is notable.

However the impressive part of Charles' tyre deg is not in these first 11 laps. Because after these laps Max and Carlos had to pit because they were losing time and their tyres were done.

Charles kept going.

Here is what Charles' full stint on the mediums looked like.

Charles continued to achieve faster laps and negative deltas well into the life of the tyres, and that is what is setting him apart from Carlos and Max.

Not only was Charles achieving negative deltas, he was doing it more consistently as the tyres aged.

For comparison here is Carlos' and Max's data overlayed on Charles full medium stint.

While the first graph on the mediums shows that both Ferrari's were outperforming the RB20 in terms of deg(or at the very least Carlos was on a very similar delta to Max), this is where you see the difference in the drivers. Because Max and Carlos had to pit because they were rapidly losing performance on those tyres(see above time sheets) Charles was not, and he only improved. He more than doubled the life of his tyres in comparison to the other two.

This is the graph that really matters because it shows what each driver was able to do with one set of mediums. And as you can see it's not even close.

This is where you can see the impact of the negative deg over time. Compared to the normal deg we see with Max and Carlos it serves to highlight exactly how outside of the norm Charles was operating.

Charles only continued to improve well beyond the other two. That's what was insane about his tyre management.

Neither Carlos or Max were going to be able to continue their pace (hence the pit)

I feel like the data really speaks for itself. Max and Carlos are good comparisons here, Carlos is a good driver in the same car as Charles, and Max is the current top driver on the grid and is known for his tyre management.

I want to finish this section with the sentence that is chilling the blood of every other driver and TP on the grid: Charles set his fastest lap of his race on 25 lap old hards.

Mclaren

So what happened to Mclaren?

A lot of people were expecting Mclaren to be the second strongest team on this track. And qualifying certainly made it look like that might be the case. With Lando being ahead of Carlos in P3 and Oscar being ahead of Charles in P6 on the starting grid.

So why did both Mclarens get easily defeated by the Ferraris?

I think there are 2 main reasons.

The Mclaren car is not even close to the SF-24 when it comes to tyre deg, that car loses pace much faster so it just cannot fight when a Ferrari comes up behind it.

Charles 1 stop strategy really messed up the team's pit strategy with Lando.

In Mclaren’s defense no one thought anyone would be crazy enough to try a 1 stop around Suzuka, let alone have zero tyre deg on a high deg track.

They seemed to be managing their pit strategy with Lando under the assumption that Charles was going to pit twice, and I think they were very worried about an undercut in the pits (after they didn’t get away with it in Australia I think they were very keen to make sure they kept their position)

But Charles didn’t do a 2 stop strategy. He stayed out and his pace on the hards was unbelievable.

There was really no way for them to see that coming. It’s kind of hard when your main competition decides this is the weekend he’s going to challenge the laws of physics.

(And you thought I was done talking about Charles’ tyre strategy)

Here is a graph of Lando vs Carlos. That was the spot he lost, and you can see that the pit strategy is really what cost Lando the spot. Carlos came behind him on much fresher tyres and by then he'd lost the pace. He pitted too early, and that was due to Mclaren not understanding that Charles is on another level.

His pace was okay on newer tyres, but once they age the drop off was pretty bad. So the Mclaren car needs to improve in the tyre deg department if they want to see either of their drivers beat a Ferrari any time this year.

Furthermore Oscar once again struggled more because he is still the weaker of the two Mclarens when it comes to tyre deg, and on this track that really showed.

But I think the fact that Mclaren kept trying to figure out when Charles was going to pit for his second stint and then he just didn’t really threw them off and had them making some weird pit calls.

VCARB

Yuki

Yuki ran what was in my opinion the second most impressive drive of the race. He qualified P10 and finished P10. However to keep that position he pulled of some truly perfect overtakes. He was fighting to finally get that home race point. I was so excited seeing him put on that good of a show for his home fans.

In this race he became the first Japanese driver to score home race points since 2012, and that is just so exciting for Yuki and his fans. It really made that single point mean a lot. I don't think I have ever been more excited for a P10!

Yuki has really been showing what the VCARB car is capable of and it looks really promising. He seems comfortable and I think we will be seeing a lot more points from him this season.

Daniel: Crash with Albon and DNF

Going to be covering Alex and Daniel's crash this section.

On lap 1, Daniel and Alex made contact going into turn 3, resulting in both cars going off the track and ending up in the barriers. Both drivers had to retire from the race.

To me this looked like a result of crowding into that turn in the mid field with neither driver at significant fault. I don't think Daniel was trying to push Alex wide, and I also don't think that Alex mistook that corner. The FIA and stewards agree and Alex and Daniel's story of what happened make sense.

Going into the turn Daniel had the outside line, and he was trying to give room to the Aston Martin(Lance) on his inside. He didn't see Alex on his outside and his wheel made contact with Alex's front wing, causing his car to spin and pushing Alex of the line and into the gravel.

Alex thought he had the outside line to overtake and was in the process of attempting that when Daniel went to give space on the inside, this resulted in the contact and Daniel forcing him wide.

This crash really just was a result of crowding in that corner, Daniel was trying to give space to one driver and inadvertently crowded out another. There wasn't space so he was kind of in a lose-lose situation there.

I agree with the stewards that no penalty for either driver was warranted and that this was the result of midfield crowding, and some bad luck for both drivers. It wasn't a result of bad driving on either Daniel or Alex's part. Even if Daniel had seen Alex I am not sure what he could have done if he also needed to give room to Lance.

Ultimately I am glad both drivers are uninjured. Hopefully they have some better luck in future races.

Red Bull

I don't have a ton to say about Red Bull. My comparison in the Ferrari data section is what was most interesting about this race from the data standpoint.

They didn't do much, the Red Bulls started ahead and finished ahead as expected. Max and Checo both ran a really clean race. Again showing the power of the RB-20.

I will add that this was a really good race for Checo(probably his best this year), and it was nice to see him have redemption after Suzuka 2023.

Nothing terribly exciting to add. Max won again, well done Max!

Mercedes

Mercedes didn't have a great race, but considering that both their drivers DNFed in Australia it was good for the team to get some points. Lewis started in P7 and finished P9, while George started P9 and finished P7. So they swapped positions.

It seems that the Mercedes car might be better on those qualifying laps than the race pace (and even then it's qualifying has been inconsistent)

The most notable thing about Mercedes' race was when Lewis asked if he should let George pass when George came up behind him, and George did in fact make the pass. This was done simply because George's pace was better. Lewis knew this so it was best for the team.

I think that so far we have seen that the W15 is struggling in a lot of areas, and as far as drivers go George has been more comfortable in the car(could be driving style, setup, a combo of the two) than Lewis.

Both are solid drivers, and hopefully they can guide Mercedes into making improvements to the car to get them closer to top points. At this point the car Mercedes has made seems to have fallen short of expectations. Make no mistake though, Lewis and George are both drivers who are much better than the car they are in at the moment.

Williams

I covered Alex's crash with Daniel already so we are going to talk about Logan.

Logan honestly did about the best he could do in the car he had. After damaging both his front and rear wing in free practice and still using the repaired chassis from Australia his car was not in the best shape already going into the race. Additionally the Williams really struggled with grip in the rears and has been all over the place. Suzuka especially seems to have not been suited to it.

Yes on lap 41 Logan went off track into a gravel trap, but that was on a corner that had given more skilled and experienced drivers trouble this weekend so I am not going to fault him too much for that in the car he had. Better cars were having problems there too.

He did have a really strong first stint and was pulling some overtakes. Most of his positions were lost when he did get undercut by some pit stops, and then of course losing time to the gravel trap.

The win is that he finished the race and the car is intact. That may not seem like much, but given the state of things at Williams it's important.

There were some highlights for his race and I will say in terms of raw performance he has not been far off Alex this year. That car of Williams is really hindering both drivers.

Stake

Stake actually had pretty good pace overall. The car is not as bad as it has looked on paper. The main issues has been their slow pit stops (caused by incompatibility between the bolters and the tyre covers apparently) Zhou and Valtteri both showed some pretty good pace and were in positions for overtakes.

Zhou unfortunately had to retire his car due to gearbox issues.

Stake has really been a mess and we have not seen what that car can actually do in terms of performance overall, or what what their drivers are capable of in that car.

They are making attempts to address the pit stop issue and I think if they do that, then we will see both drivers picking up some P10 points at the very least.

Final Thoughts

I think we can all agree that Suzuka was the best race of the year so far from a pure racing standpoint!

Whew, that’s all I got on this race, so I will leave you with this final thought.

This race was a warning shot from Ferrari.

#lucis race analysis #japan gp 2024 #suzuka gp 2024 #formula 1 #f1 #scuderia ferrari #charles leclerc #long post #I am so serious this is a long post you've been warned #lot of good data though if you are into that <3 #thank you for reading <3

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