invisible string | OP81

Chapter 4

I found a quiet area between the Ferrari and Mercedes hospitality that I decided to eat lunch in. I had a few minutes of peace when I was interrupted by someone above me.

'Can I sit here?' The stranger asked. I looked up to find Charles Leclerc staring down at me.

'Oh, yea, of course.'

'Great, thank you.'

I saw that he also had his lunch with him, but his was a sandwich instead.

'So, how has it been so far?' The Monegasque asked.

'Sorry.'

'The F1 experience?'

'Oh, it's been amazing. Except from the interviews, there was something weird going on with a couple of them.'

'Yea, they can be unbearable sometimes and really creepy. Unfortunately, it will probably be worse for you than it has been for the rest of us.'

'So, why are you here?'

'I like to know all the people on the grid, especially the rookies. It was something that was done for me when I came.'

'I see. Also, are all the meetings this boring? I stopped listening earlier and I don't think the guy taking it was particularly happy, but can you blame me really?'

'Definitely not your fault, they could be made more interesting.' We laughed.

The small talk carried on for a while before we finally parted ways, I was thankful that he approached me as I wanted to get to know the other drivers and this was a good start.

I went back to the Alpine hospitality so that I could rest a bit before qualifying. I always found the time before races or qualifying the most relaxing. I settled into a bit of a routine where I would listen to music and read before my races and it just helps me to completely calm my nerves down.

I started my pre-race/quali routine once I reached my drivers room and I opened my current book. I read a lot as a child and, thankfully, it carried into my adulthood. If I could into a good book then that is all I would do that day, just read, read, and read. I couldn't put it down. However, once I had made it to the higher formulas, my free time went poof. That's how my routine was created and it's been kept ever since.

Time flew past and before I knew it it was time to go down to the garage. My nerves began growing with every step I took. I don't think I've ever been more nervous to get racing. By the time I made it to the garage, I was shaking, I stood back while watching the engineers made last minute adjustments to my car. I still had my music playing in my ears which was helping relax me slightly but not a lot. I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked over and saw Esteban.

'Nervous?'

'Very. More so than yesterday.'

'I was too, don't worry it all goes away in the car.'

'God, I hope so.'

'You'll be fine, you did well yesterday and I've seen some of your F2 races, you do well under pressure.'

'Thanks.'

'No problem, see you out there!'

Esteban's pep talk actually managed to calm me down. I got into the car and had people scrambling all around me to get me ready.

Finally, the clock hit 3:00 and it was time to get the car out, my nervousness having merged into excitement.

I was warming up my tires on the outlap, we managed to get the car out first so that there would be a virtually free track for my flying lap. The start line rolled around and I prepared myself.

I started speeding up down the straight so I would be at maximum speed by the start. I maintained a good pace through turns 1 to 3 and began speeding up again down the straight.

I was slightly off on turn 4 but nothing too bad that it would cause serious issue.

I finished the flying lap well and got a time that would let me through to Q2 without an issue.

To be safe, I completely a few more laps before heading into the pits, each one improving on my time a little bit.

I warmed up my tires on the out lap again before heading to try and improve my time again.

Q1 ended with me in P7. A solid position for a rookie in a mid-range car. Tsunoda, Albon, Sergeant, Magnussen, and Gasly were eliminated.

I drove my car back into the pits and started talking to my engineers to see what I could improve.

I waited impatiently for Q2 to begin.

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A/N: Hope you enjoy the chapter and, as always, let me know if any mistakes.
I promise we will get more Oscar interactions soon as well as more driver interactions in general.

HOW DO WE FEEL ABOUT 1989 (TV)? I was listening to it while writing this to prepare.

Q: What is your favourite TS song?