Azerbaijan GP
“So, his birthday is coming up.” Lawrence said to Pascale when they watched Arthur race.
“Yes” Pascale said “In October, though, there still is time.”
“You know, I talked to Lance about it, but he wasn’t too fond of my ideas. He said I should ask you for advice, or at least a limit.”
“A limit?” Pascale asked.
“Money limit. What amount I’m allowed to spend on a present for him.”
“Really? I didn’t think Lance would think about something like that.”
“He said … you have a different life … money has a different worth and that I shouldn’t kind of, burry your presents.”
“Smart. I … don’t want to make you feel bad, but … I want … I’m scared that if Arti is getting used to your money too much … it would be hard to handle if it would be gone or something, you know. If we would break up and he wouldn’t get what he was used to anymore and I want things to stay special, even the small ones, you would call them.”
“So what’s your limit?”
“25”
“25 it is.” Lawrence nodded.
“Thank you.” Pascale smiled.
“Thank Lance. I thought about buying him a new kart.”
“Yeah, that wouldn’t have sat well with me.” Pascale admitted.
Azerbaijan. Baku. A street circuit again. Half through the old town, the other half in a rectangle, the newer streets built like a US city. Fast in some places, going up to 350 or 360, followed by chicanes and turn combinations at 100 or less.
“This circuit looks weird.” Oscar said, looking at the circuit in their nest, covered in sweat from their last love making session.
“Get showered, dirty boy, we have a plane to catch.” Lando laughed, throwing a towel at Oscar.
They were on the road an hour later, Lando driving with Oscar next to him, who was on his phone, texting something about ingredients to the factory.
Max and Charles flew together in Max’s plane, together with Penelope and the nanny, who did some work for university on the couch while Charles and Max had a drawing session with P at the table.
“Oh that looks really nice!” Charles exclaimed, looking at P’s colourful circles “It would fit well with my bird, don’t you think?” Charles asked, looking at his painting.
“Yes. Butfly.” P said and Max held a hand over his mouth.
“A butterfly, a very beautiful butterfly, yes they can be friends flying, right Max?” Charles asked.
“Of course.” Max said, swallowing down his laugh “You up for a little nap, sweetie?” he asked P.
“No” she said with a smile.
“Okay, then not.” Max said. Penelope was asleep, head on the table, ten minutes later.
“Seems like the no phase is starting.” Charles said.
“No phase?”
“The time were they just say no. Doesn’t matter what you ask or want them to do. It normally comes a little later, right before the I don’t want to wear any clothes phase, my mum says. That one will take longer.”
“Oh dear, absolutely looking forward to chasing a half-naked P through the paddock.” Max said sarcastically.
“How are you doing today?” Charles asked after a little silence.
“What do you mean?” Max asked.
“Today is your wedding anniversary.” Charles said.
“Yeah, it is. It would be.” Max said, looking out of the window “I’m thinking about her more today.”
“Yes, of course. Did you talk to P about it?”
“No. I wasn’t sure if she would understand and I rather have her have an as normal day as possible. This flight is enough stress for the day.”
“Just tell me if you need anything.”
“I will.” Max said, looking out of the window.
George walked through the paddock quickly, wearing a cap and his sunglasses. He made the plan to stop if fans ask him, but otherwise he would just nod and go to their hospitality as quickly as possible.
“You’re going to be okay to drive today?” Toto asked when George was about to leave his driver’s room.
“Yes, I am. Truly.” George said.
“Then, let’s get this show on the road.” Toto said and they made their way to the garage.
George concentrated on the track. It wasn’t his strong suit. He liked city circuits. This circuit with the old town narrow streets and weird corners, then the rectangle, it just confused his head. The first practices on Friday went well, his times keeping him just in the top ten. He just came out of the garage and wanted to make his way to the hospitality when he stumbled directly into Alex.
“Hey, how are you doing?” Alex asked with a little smile.
“How am I doing?” George asked in disbelief “I’m holding on, that’s how I’m doing.” He then hissed before leaving.
“You should leave him alone for a while.” Toto said to Alex, following George.
“You look angry.” Lance said when George rushed past him.
“Oh, I’m sorry, really. It’s … Alex bumped into me and seriously asked How are you doing?” George mocked.
“I’m sorry. Just … try to not let it go into your head while you drive.”
“I’m doing my best.” George said, smiling a little and then leaving.
He qualified in 10th. Lando got another pole, followed by Max, Logan, Charles, Daniel, Oliver, Lewis, Yuki and Esteban.
The start didn’t go well for him, Esteban next to him got a bump from behind, his car turned and took George, Valtteri who bumped him, Carlos and himself out of the race. He apologized after, as did Valtteri, but it was a racing incident.
Lewis finished in 5th after a fight to the last second with Daniel, who finished .3 seconds behind him. Lando got another win, Logan and Max getting with him on the podium. Fourth went to Charles and the points were completed by Yuki, Oliver, Pierre and Alex.
“I’m so happy for you! I’m celebrating with juice!” Kika said on their facetime call.
“Oh, that sounds like a real party over there, I’m jealous I can’t be with you two!” Pierre smiled.
“Only two months to go. Then I’ll be able to put on my own socks and cut my toenails and even SEE my feet!” Kika laughed.
“Oh, how happy you will be.” Pierre laughed “Did you think about it yet?”
“In France, but in a hospital. I just want to make sure we’re safe.” Kika smiled.
“Happily. I’m so hoping I will be there in time, baby.” Pierre said.
“You will be. And otherwise, I’ll facetime you, I already asked the hospital in Paris, they would allow that.”
“Oh my God, I’m already seeing myself walking through the paddock, phone in hand, you screaming, me telling you to breath.” Pierre said and they both laughed.
“WHAT?!” Max yelled.
“Adrian quit. He will leave with the end of the season. He is off duty from now on as he was honest and said he had a job in F1 with another team.” Christian said.
“But he can’t leave! What are we going to do without him?!” Max almost yelled again.
“Please calm down, Max. We will find a solution, alright. We tried to keep him, we offered all kinds of things but he is set on his decision.” Christian said and Max sat down on the chair in front of Christian’s desk, burying his face in his hands. They were still in the hospitality, it was Sunday evening, everybody else around them packing up to travel to Singapore.
“Do we know where he is going?”
“No, he didn’t say anything.”
“Guess it would come down to Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren.”
“Yeah, most likely. We can’t be sure how much influence it will have on next years car, but with the changes towards 2026 it could change everything anyway. It doesn’t automatically mean that it would be to our disadvantage.” Christian said.
“Yeah, but still. Look at McLaren this year. Lando is number 1 right now. They built an amazing engineering, aerodynamics and development team over the past couple of years. Lando just extended his contract and they signed Ollie for two years. If they get Adrian on top, they turn from amazing to unbeatable and indescribable.”
“People said we would be unbeatable this season, too. It’s the future, it’s not guaranteed, we can’t know what is going to happen.”
“I need an honest answer for something else, though.” Max said, leaning back.
“Okay”
“Why did you kick out Ollie? Don’t get me wrong, I love Daniel, but still.”
“That wasn’t my decision. I wasn’t included in those meetings. When I asked, they said they wanted someone with more experience to support the young ones, to build the next generation.”
“Okay, who is going to be the next generation, then?”
“I don’t know. They have a list, but they want to wait until Laurent arrives.”
“Laurent?”
“Laurent Mekies is taking the spot as team principal next year.”
“Okay, let’s hope this doesn’t go belly up. This post season switch is going to be crazy. And silly season is almost over before it normally started. This is the time for silly season, not the whole summer!”
17-Azerbaidjan
NOR317
SAR197
VER288
LEC183
HAM32
RIC120
TSU72
BEA46
GAS3
ALB42
STR57
HUL5
MAG6
LAW4
LAT0
ZHO2
SAI59
RUS59
OCO33
BOT12