Try me. - Charles Leclerc

1. First Day

Emeretta

Thursday, 02.march / Bahrain

The sun was shining brightly through my blinds and straight into my eyes as i tried to get comfortable in my hotel bed. i hadn't gotten a good night sleep last night because i was to excited for today's events. first day of being a formula 1 driver has to be something huh?.

i try to close my eyes again and wait for my alarm to start sounding. i originally wanted to get up at around 10 to try and sleep in before the weekend chaos starts but hear i am almost wide awake at 9 in the morning.

i have worked so hard through out my racing career just to get to this point and now it's finally time. i got offerd the 2 drivers seat at Ferrari midway through the 2022 f2 championship and took the offer immediately. that year i won the f2 championship for the first time after placing second in 2021.

pre-season testing went well for us as the cars were flying and we are top 5 in the ratings. we are looking good this season is going to be great i can feel it. The feeling of being in the cockpit of the red beast was amazing it's unlike any other f1 car i have ever driven i had the pleasure of trying fp1 in Alfa Romeo last year but that car is nothing compared to this one . i can't wait for the race this weekend.

i end the debate in my head of whether i should get up or not and spring up from my bed to shower.

this is going to be a long weekend.

when i get out of the shower i get dressed in the normal kit, Ferrari polo and blue jeans. i look over my calendar to see today's schedule breakfast at 10:30 with the team but it's only 9:30. With my stomach growling i start debating whether i should just go downstairs already and get some breakfast as well as some caffeine because i'm in desperate need of energy after tossing and turning around all night.

what's an hour early it will be fine.

i bring my favorite book written about my grandfather and my laptop with me downstairs so i can at least work while i wait for Connor my race engineer.

we head out for the track walk later at 11:00 before press work with Ava at 11:30.

i like planning it keeps me sane during a busy day, the safety of knowing where to be comforts me.

i do some press prep on my computer after an amazing breakfast. after my work the time is already 10:15 so i stand up to go get another coffee before burying my head in my book.

Someone slid into the seat across from me. Out of the corner of my eye, I expected Connor — clipboard in hand, some last-minute notes about setups.

But when I looked up from my book, it wasn't Connor.

It was Charles.

Ferrari red uniform, sunglasses hooked on his collar, smug grin painted on his face like it was custom-made for him. He looked at me like he was already winning.

Of course.

Charles Leclerc. My rival since the days of karts, my shadow in every press headline, my nightmare in every wheel-to-wheel fight. And now, my teammate.

Brilliant.

"What do you want?" I asked flatly, making no effort to hide my scowl.

His grin twitched into something sharper. "Good morning to you too. Not a morning person, I guess?" He leaned back in his chair like he owned the place — like he always did.

"No," I shot back, slamming my bookmark into place. "I just don't enjoy breakfast with arrogant assholes."

His smirk deepened, taunting. "Still dramatic, souvenirs. Some things never change."