Churros and the Mexican spirit
The fans went crazy. Lando and McLaren had a very big following in the US and they were ecstatic with Lando’s win and the realization that McLaren was now only 9 points behind Redbull in the constructor’s championship.
“Max, how do you feel, now that it would be possible for Lando to prematurely win the driver’s championship next weekend?” a reporter asked during the press conference and Esteban broke out in laughter, but stopped when he saw Max looking at him.
“Wait, he’s that far ahead?” Esteban then asked.
“He is currently 76 points ahead of Max, if Lando wins the next race and Max is finishing without points the gap is 101, which would make him driver’s champion. There are also other point gap possibilities, but that would take too long now.” George explained.
“Damn” Esteban said after a little silence and the others chuckled.
“Well, let the attention be back on me now” Max said a little cocky and there was more chuckling “I would be very happy to see Lando win a championship even though, of course as every driver would say, I would prefer to see myself win.”
“Esteban, as your attention is not on the driver’s standings, what else are your currently concentrating on?” another reporter asks.
“Racing” Esteban said shortly “And trying to find out the best way to make myself look stupid.”
“Yeah, for anybody who is interested, there is an Alpine video coming out in the following week where he makes a REALLY smart appearance playing ‘Who is it’.” Pierre said mockingly.
“I MISUNDERSTOOD!” Esteban said loudly.
“You DIDN’T LISTEN!” Pierre said, just as loud, letting the others laugh again.
George sat in front of the spa area, waiting for his massage when Lance came out, letting out a sigh.
“Oh, hey. You’re here, too.” Lance said.
“Yeah, was in the mood for a massage.” George said.
“Yeah, me too. I’ve got a hot stone, what’s your plan?”
“Traditional full body.” George said.
“Mr. Russell?” a masseuse asked.
“Yes” George said, getting up “Well, enjoy the spa.” He said to Lance.
“Enjoy the massage.” Lance told him and made his way to the saunas. He sat in the relaxation room with some ginger tea and his book, looking around if somebody else was there. He didn’t see anyone, so he decided to just go for it. He lifted his left back side and let out a fart.
“Wow, okay, you’re relaxed now, at least?” a voice asked from behind him and George walked up to the lounge chair next to him, dropping a towel and his own book on the little table next to it.
“Oh my God, I didn’t see you there.” Lance said and started laughing “the one time you do it, there is someone coming in, really? I was alone for over an hour.”
“It’s always like that.” George said “But I think you are supposed to be silent in these rooms, so maybe we should shut up.” He laid down on his chair and started reading.
“Do you feel better?” Lando asked, cuddling closer to Oscar in their nest, Seb just having left the suite.
“Yeah, I’m still really tired. I didn’t even know it is possible to sleep this much and still be tired.”
“Come on, eat a little more, you’re going to need it.” Lando said, holding some more of the roasted vegetables to Oscar’s mouth.
“For what? For me to throw everything up again tomorrow?” Oscar asked and ate the veggies.
“So you can digest all the vitamins and other benefits of the veggies overnight.” Lando tried to see the good side of it, but the next morning, they sat next to the toilet again before making it to the airport and then Mexico in the afternoon. The good thing in Mexico was that Oscar discovered a new craving for churros and pretty much ate them non-stop, dripping with chocolate sauce.
The only churro break he took was on Wednesday during a PR thing for the Mexico special of his lentil crackers, a special kind with spicy chili. He had sent a box to Checo and his family, which they answered with a post of all of them munching them while watching first practice on tv and Checo wrote that he would be in the paddock on Sunday.
“How can you eat this much? It almost seems like you’ve got a bun in the oven.” Daniel asked with a smirk when Oscar and Lando stepped next to him, waiting for their pick up on Saturday. Oscar was carrying a bag of churros from the breakfast buffet.
“Why are you yelling at me?” Oscar asked, tears in his eyes.
“I didn’t yell. Are you okay?” Daniel asked worried while Oscar buried himself into Lando’s chest.
“Baby, he didn’t yell at you, he was just surprised that you’re having churros.” Lando said calmly, stroking Oscar’s hair.
“But I like them.” Oscar sniffed.
“And that is absolutely fine and you can eat them as much as you want, everything is okay and Daniel didn’t mean it, did he?” Lando said.
“Of – of – of course I didn’t, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell.” Daniel said, but was still confused when the car pulled up. Lando and Oscar got in first, Oscar eating again. “Can I get one?” Daniel asked after a couple of minutes. Oscar looked at him like he was crazy. “I guess not.” Daniel then said and looked out of the window while Lando smiled widely.
Oscar sat in the hospitality, eating churros and watching the practice sessions on the tv.
“What is that?” he asked when Zak placed a big mug next to him.
“Camomile tea with a little bit of sugar. It always helped my mate’s stomach when she … was craving for churros.” Zak said with a wink before he left.
Zak was right. Oscar kept drinking the tea, eating churros and some other fruit and vegetables he knew he had to eat to stay healthy and his vomiting lessened every morning. Maybe it was the tea, maybe it was the time.
Esteban woke up on Saturday morning, questioning again how he got this lucky. Logan was draped over him. Logan’s head and half of his chest laid on his upper body, arm and leg thrown over him as well. He breathed in deeply. Beta’s scents were different. They were mostly neutral. Omega’s had fruits, flowers, smelled soft and sweet. Alphas would be the same, but have an underlying spice or heavier scent. Betas could smell like anything. Like Logan. Lime, peppermint and ginger. Esteban could lay like this forever.
Logan slowly woke up, breathing in Esteban. Pears, brown sugar, freshly cut grass. Not a traditional alpha scent, but it was one Logan loved. He felt Esteban’s hand move through his hair and he lifted his head a little, bracing his chin on his chest.
“Good morning” Esteban said.
“I love you.” Logan said and Esteban was startled for a second.
“I love you, too.” Esteban said “This is the first time you said it.”
“Mhm. I don’t know why today, it’s just … I do.” Logan said with a smile and he kissed Esteban.
Qualifying was a mess. Everybody was everywhere and there were multiple memes of Checo standing in the Redbull garage and reacting to the other drivers.
Max stalled his car while driving out of the garage.
Charles broke off his break paddle in Q2.
Alex did a 360 on the main straight.
George apparently forgot where the track was in Q3 and took an exit route without reason, twice, and got penalized. He had to start from the back of the grid.
Lando got into Daniel’s car and only noticed when Daniel kicked him out of it.
Lance forgot to fasten his seatbelt in Q3 and got a five-place grid penalty.
Nico forgot his helmet and started driving out of the garage, but thankfully stopped before his rear tires left the garage, so it didn’t actively count.
The reporters said it’s the sun and the joyous Mexican spirit they are not used to anymore.
Due to all the chaos and so many of them wasting time and getting penalties, both Haas, the Stakes and the Alpines started in the top ten, while Max and George started from the back row.
Esteban started in 5th, next to Magnussen, Bottas and Gasly behind them.