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thef1diary · 10 months ago

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Baby Jr | One

— Friendly Banter

Series summary: The teasing, fleeting touches became much more on the night Carlos won, the sexual tension between you two reached a breaking point. Perhaps it was that night, or the many nights that followed, but you were pregnant with his child, putting you in a difficult situation.

Series Masterlist

pairing: carlos sainz x reader

Warnings: allusions to smut but no actual smut yet

wc: 2.9k

Note: here it is, the first chapter of many more to come. lemme know what you think, feedback is always appreciated.

You had caught the eye of a certain Ferrari driver from the moment you joined the team. He always looked at you in fascination, having the urge to find a way to figure you out but that's all it was for the longest time. Until it wasn't.

Carlos Sainz vividly remembers the first time he set his eyes on you. He was on his way to leave the headquarters in Maranello while you were on your way inside. Carlos' gaze was watchful, almost heavy with judgment as you hurried in through the doors with more items in your arms than you should've been able to carry.

He almost stopped you to ask who you were, but he noticed the badge clipped onto your jeans, media personnel. You had already passed him before he could read your name, and shook his head knowing that your name was the more important detail compared to your role.

You hadn't noticed him that day, but he noticed you.

He didn't see you again until the new season came around, having almost forgotten about your brief encounter at the end of the previous year. He had to do a double take once he saw you setting up the cameras for some content he was supposed to record along with his teammate.

It was a simple video that required the drivers to answer a few questions sent in by their fans, something that should've been easy since they've done it before. But he couldn't focus on anything but you. Given that you were the ones asking the questions, reading them off the short stack of cards you had in your hand, he wasn't outed for being distracted.

Knowing the drivers still had a busy day ahead of them, you began packing up the items once the video was filmed. Keeping your eyes locked on the task, you expected the drivers to be led away by their PR managers, so you were surely startled once you heard a voice acknowledging you.

Carlos stayed back, and roaming your gaze for a split second behind him, Charles had left. You knew who he was of course, after all you followed the sport for many years before you were given the opportunity to work for one of the teams.

"I don't think we properly met, I'm Carlos." He extended his hand out and you gladly accepted, shaking it while introducing yourself. You found it sweet that despite being one of the two faces of the team, he still introduced himself like you didn't know who he was.

As a junior media employee who was still relatively new to the team, you were informed in advance that you would rarely be interacting with the drivers.

So it wasn't surprising that while working in the same team, you rarely saw Carlos in person. Working under Silvia—the head of communications—you would usually be the one tasked to edit the challenge videos, creating enough content from various footage to keep the fans engaged. The few times you did see him in person was to conduct media challenges that the team planned every once in a while to give the fans a chance to know the drivers underneath their helmets.

As the season went on, you found that you were indeed given the wrong information; you did in fact meet the drivers again and again. You were given many opportunities to travel with the team, and it would've been absurd if you denied those opportunities—not that you had a choice since you were needed at almost every race.

You were glad to experience the thrill of Formula 1 from the front row seats, able to watch all the sessions in the weekend itself but also be a part of the journey with the drivers that not many people get to see.

It was inevitable to befriend many people along the way, especially with their welcoming nature despite some news outlets suggesting otherwise. Formula 1 could be considered as one giant family that obviously had issues every once in a while but no one outside of the sport could relate to them like each other. Especially since it was described like a traveling circus by a few drivers.

While you had befriended many other employees whether it was within your team or others, you also spoke to the other eighteen drivers often.

But no other driver invaded your thoughts like Carlos did.

You didn't know if you were overthinking it all, but you believed that Carlos was a tad bit too friendly compared to Charles or even any other driver for that matter.

Whether it was a compliment that left you a blushing mess, a lingering look that followed you until you left the room, or even a small graze of his fingers against your back while crossing your path, you couldn't think of anyone but him lately.

You heard a Monégasque accent calling your name and you slowed your pace, allowing him to catch up to you as you greeted without needing to look to see who it was, "Charles"

"Here, it's still hot," he was holding two disposable cups of coffee in his hands, extending one towards you.

You gestured to your own hands, carrying one too many things again.

He sighed, "I still don't know how you do that." He stopped walking as he neared a surface to put down the cups. "Here, give it to me," he spoke but didn't let you make a decision as he grabbed the various folders, a clipboard, and a tablet from your hands. You were still holding on to a tripod and a camera but he freed up one of your hands so you could hold the cup.

"I will have to let you know, that tablet you're holding, is very valuable to the team," you stated, mainly in a joking manner because you knew he wouldn't do anything to it.

"Oh is it now? What's on it?" Charles asked once you resumed walking, this time sipping on your coffee before answering his question. "First, perfect," you hummed, gesturing towards the cup. "Second, it has all the schedules for meetings, interviews, and everything that you or Carlos could possibly need a reminder for during the weekend."

He gasped, almost offended, "I do not need reminders for anything during the weekend, not like Carlos does."

Despite how it may seem, your role didn't entail being a driver's assistant. In fact your job was to manage a few social media accounts and create content that included the drivers as much as possible but every now and then you also helped the company keep the public images of the drivers reputable.

Lately, Carlos had been finding reasons to talk to you, and most of that time would be spent reviewing his schedule multiple times throughout the day.

"He can be a little forgetful sometimes," you commented but Charles shook his head.

"A little? He needed you to remind him what time the race was."

You grimaced, knowing Charles was correct. "Well, you're his teammate so you know him better than I do."

"Yeah, I guess I'll ask him, thanks for the coffee," Charles stated as you two entered a meeting room. There were still fifteen minutes before it started, but you preferred to use that time so you could prepare yourself for all the notetaking it usually required. Since you were still a fairly new employee, you wanted to absorb all the information like a sponge.

Confused, you responded back, "you're the one who got the coffee."

He placed the items he was holding on the table, then noticing the time on his watch, a brief gasp overtaking his expression. "Thanks for the company then, I'll see you later," he playfully winked like he always did before leaving the room.

Moments later, a knock distracts you from reviewing the previous notes and stats from the last meeting. Thinking it was Charles, you ask, "did you forget somet- oh, Carlos."

"Are you busy?" He asks as he leans his forearms on the back of a chair. Shaking your head you respond, "not really, what's up?"

"I forget how crazy the crowds can get outside, so can I stay here for a few minutes?" You smile, "of course you can, come sit." He rolled a chair out and sighed in relief after finally getting off his feet.

Carlos closed his eyes for a moment relishing in the moments of silence in his hectic life. It didn't last long as you hummed a random tune which you usually did while working. It was so faint but since it was completely silent otherwise, Carlos' ears perked up as he heard it.

Instead of looking for the moments of silence he thought he needed earlier to even do a simple task as breathing, Carlos leaned forward with his usual watchful gaze focused on you. "Are you planning on more ways for us to make a fool out of ourselves?" He asked.

You chuckled, "I would never do that." Carlos gave you a look that indicated he didn't believe you.

"The last challenge was planned by you, no?" He countered and when you sheepishly smiled, he knew he was correct.

"You know, Charles is right," you spoke after a few moments of silence.

"How so?" He leaned back, stretching his arms above his head for a moment that almost caused you to lose track of your thoughts. You've gotten better at keeping yourself calm and collected around Carlos lately, but you still took a little moment to appreciate how his muscles flexed in the full sleeved shirt he wore.

"There's a team debrief happening in about five minutes where you're needed, and it's a bit of a walk so I'm wondering if you're gonna reach in time." To confirm your words, he glanced at his watch, raising his eyebrows when he realized you were spot on.

"You know my schedule so well now," he couldn't help but comment, chuckling as he did so.

"Only because you forget it," you retaliated.

"Maybe I do that on purpose," he stood up, once again stretching to the point where the hem of his shirt raised a bit, revealing a sliver of skin that your gaze immediately shifted to. While you might've gotten better, you still needed a bit more practice every now and then. Carlos chuckled when you didn't have a response right away, knowing you were distracted but he didn't feel the need to expose you just yet.

As he pulled his shirt down, your eyes snapped to his, finally coming up with a response "and almost get me fired for making you late?"

He shrugged, "maybe." You knew he would never do such a thing that would jeopardize your job, so you shrugged off his comment.

"Go now, Sainz" you urged, waving your hand to emphasize your point.

"I'm going, I'm going, relax, cariño." You could hear his laugh as he left the room, and you didn't focus on the papers in front of you until his footsteps had faded away.

It was just friendly banter, you reminded yourself even after hearing the nickname he gave you. Sometimes your conversations were borderline flirtatious, but it was still fine. Until it wasn't.

As the year progressed further, you were no longer just an employee with a career in motorsport; you were a member of the team that celebrated each high while consoling and sticking together during the lows.

While your job wasn't directly connected to the race, nor could you help in changing the outcome like the mechanics and engineers could, you helped uplift the mood in the room on multiple occasions.

Which is why when Carlos stood on the top step of the podium, claiming his first place trophy that would eventually become a part of a larger collection, you felt like you won.

The spray of champagne reached the crowd of his team waiting below the podium. A laugh bubbled up your throat as Carlos tried to aim the spill of the drink in the team principal's mouth standing on the floor a few feet away from you.

A proud smile grew on your face as you watched the drivers and a representative from your team that collected the constructors trophy gathered together on the top step to take a photo.

The celebrations continued in the team garage, since both drivers made it on the podium. The energy buzzing through each member was noticeable, knowing that this win would be celebrated until the next. After the team photo was taken, the champagne popped once again.

A few people were able to get away from becoming soaked, others were being targeted. Charles managed to slip away, but Carlos couldn't. He happily accepted the spray, soaking his race suit further after the podium.

His eyes however, darted across the crowd and landed on you. Standing just out of reach of the champagne shenanigans but still close enough to celebrate, Carlos decided to pull you even closer.

Grabbing the bottle from the nearest person, he covered the top and shook it. Releasing his thumb, he let the fizzy drink spray out, directing it at you this time. "Carlos!" You shrieked, but laughing nonetheless.

Once satisfied, he took a sip from the bottle, his gaze fixed on you as yours moved down to his neck, watching his Adam's apple bob while he swallowed. Passing the bottle to you, you moistened your lips before tipping it up and sipping the cool champagne.

His attention was diverted as Charles had found another bottle of champagne, deciding to drench his teammate even further after the celebrations began to die down. You smiled as Carlos tried to run away, dodging the alcohol, but it quickly dropped once he used you as a shield.

"Oh, no, no, no," you held your hand out at Charles who smiled mischievously, stopping in his tracks right in front of you.

"You are a part of the team," he commented, and you almost ignored his words as you felt Carlos' hands rest on your waist from behind, feeling his breath on your neck.

The heat of your thoughts was ruined when Charles decided to rain champagne down on you, cooling you off instantly. "Charles," you groaned, knowing that it would be an excruciatingly long process to wash all the champagne out of your hair, especially if it began to dry soon.

The team began to disperse, rightfully so as everyone wanted to change out of their champagne soaked clothes, you included. Trying to wring out as much liquid as you could, you muttered a curse under your breath. This was the first time you ever experienced a win like today.

Speaking of, the winner of the race was standing off to the side, shirtless. Carlos had removed his fireproof top but still had his race suit zipped down to his waist and placed a cap on his head backwards to keep his hair out of his face.

You parted your lips and watched his back muscles flex as he moved around, then hastily looked away as he turned. You kept wringing your shirt as he moved past you, and despite the fact that there was enough space for him to pass you without touching you, his fingertips brushed over your back, down to your waist. He lingered on your hip for too long, but he didn't say anything, only smiled when you inhaled deeply.

You had returned to your hotel room and immediately rushed towards the shower. The champagne from earlier had dried, creating an unpleasant sensation as a layer of tackiness remained behind. Washing away all the sweat and champagne, you sighed in relief, standing underneath the shower for a few extra minutes to release all the soreness in your muscles.

You still felt the buzzing excitement of the day running through your veins as you dried and dressed yourself, but you were also exhausted, ready to climb into bed and drift away into the safety of your dreams.

That plan was interrupted as you heard a knock on the door. Pulling your shirt over your body, you peeked through the peephole, smiling when you saw him standing on the other side.

"Oh hello, don't tell me you forgot your room number," you greeted Carlos as you opened the door.

Wetting his lips with his tongue, he was transfixed by the sight of your hair, still wet from your shower, dripping down to your shirt beginning to cling to your body.

"I think I did, tell me you don't remember it either," his voice dropped an octave, and his stare was no longer calculating, but rather enticingly seductive.

"And why would I do that?" You almost whispered, knowing the answer but wanting to hear it from him.

He stepped forward, leaning one arm on the doorframe while his gaze glanced over you to briefly look inside the room. "I'm sure yours is big enough for two people."

The corner of your lip turned up at his words, knowing it was just a ploy to let him in. The realization that he desired you just as much as you had grown to want him dawned on you as you stared at him standing in front of you.

Trapping your lip between your teeth for a moment, instantly attracting Carlos' gaze towards them, you nodded.

"Let's check," you stepped back, pulling him inside by the collar of his shirt.

——

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#carlos sainz x you #carlos sainz fic #carlos sainz x reader #f1 fluff #f1 imagines #f1 fic #f1 fanfic #babyjr fic #thef1diary fic #carlos sainz smut #carlos sainz fluff

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golden-cherry · 1 year ago

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deal - cl16 (19/?)

Pairing: Charles Leclerc x Reader

Series Summary: Your whole life has gone to shit. Your boyfriend broke up with you, you just lost your job and the Monegasque, who suddenly stands in your doorway, claims that it’s his apartment.

Chapter Summary: There's so much going on in Charles' brain, but having to come clean with his feelings is the hardest.

Warnings: 18+ (mentions of fingering, masturbating), angst, swear words, Lando being a little shit

Word Count: 3.4k

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A/N: sorry. and happy season finale. let’s hope for a better 2024.

Charles has never been so happy about a pot of plants.

After you slammed the door in his face, he barely made it to the street before throwing up in the nearest plant pot. His fingers clawed around the hard ceramic edges as his body struggled against the nasty words he spat at you.

He doesn't even know why he was so mean to you.

Was it because you had a wonderful evening last night? Because you two got so close that you both almost kissed? Because you fell asleep next to each other and he slept incredibly well? Or because Lando texted him in the middle of the night and asked what your favorite food was so that he could do everything right on your date?

Maybe he does know why he was so mean to you.

"Charles? Concentrate, please," he is snapped out of his thoughts and Charles sits up a little straighter in his chair. He can feel something crack in his spine.

The meeting has been going on for hours. So long, in fact, that the private chefs in Maranello have already had to bring food to the room four times, with the last meal being dinner. Charles has eaten so much pasta and bruschetta that he feels sick just looking at the leftovers on the table in front of him. And the water with the slice of lemon in the glass in front of him no longer tastes very refreshing.

No matter what he eats or drinks, he can't get rid of the disgusting taste in his mouth.

He wonders if your "I hate you" is as heavy on your stomach as the nasty words are on his. He would love to take back everything he spat in your face. Turn back time and undo everything. But he can't do that. Unfortunately.

He'd love to bang his head on the tabletop.

In fact, he can barely remember what he said. It's as if his brain short circuited, has had some kind of blackout, or as if a bomb has gone off and wiped everything out. Which doesn't excuse any of it. But from your hurt look, the tears in your eyes and your venomous response, it was so unacceptable that he'd like to slap himself for it.

It wasn't the first time Lando had asked Charles for dating help and they are actually such good friends that Charles has always been happy to help him. But the fact that the Brit asked for help so that he could take you out nicely - that doesn't sit right with him. Which is complete nonsense, because he has no reason to. He has no claim of ownership over you. And besides, he didn't want to kiss you in the bookstore.

Although that's not entirely true either.

He did want to kiss you. Desperately. And you'd been so close all day, you'd shown him your favorite place and everything had pointed to you wanting to make the move to something more - and then you gave him that look when he asked you for a dance. And he can understand why you didn't want to. After all, it's your place, your favorite place, and never would Charles do anything to tarnish that place in any way. Create a memory that you would later regret.

The Petit Mondes is your safe haven. And as much as Charles wants you - and he definitely does - he wouldn't cross that line.

Since you've known each other, Charles has had to fight every waking - and to be honest, every sleeping - moment not to jump you. He can't stop thinking about you standing in front of him half-naked in a towel. Or how you turned around just a few steps away from him before dinner with his friends to show him your outfit. How you slept next to him and dreamt - dreamt of him. A moment he will never forget.

Although he is actually a late riser, Charles woke up early that morning. Not because he had slept in, but because he was warm. Contrary to his expectations, it wasn't because of the comforter or the heating, but because you were lying half on top of him. Your head was resting against his shirt-clad chest, one of your legs was draped over his hip, while your arm was wrapped around his middle.

At first, he didn't understand what was going on at all. He wanted to lift his arm to rub the sleep from his eyes, but he was met with resistance in the form of a lightly clad, sleeping beauty. His arm was wrapped around your waist, his hand was a little too high on your ribs to pass for being friendly, and by God - he hadn't felt this comfortable in ages.

Feeling your closeness had triggered something in him that confused him, but at the same time made him incredibly relaxed. He had pulled you closer to him, pressed you against him and enjoyed your warmth. For a moment, he had even considered whether he should just pull you all over him so that he could be as close to you as possible.

Before he could think about how wrong that would be and how many boundaries he would be crossing, you had turned in his arms so that your back was against his chest. Your body molded perfectly against his, your warmth engulfing him, but nothing could have prepared him for the fact that you were going to move your butt a little in his direction, right up against his crotch.

Charles had been awake in a flash and while you continued to sleep soundly, all the blood from his brain had rushed to his dick. Embarrassed, he'd squinted and focused on something else - Ferrari strategies, Joris last Christmas with the Leclercs, anything - and had scooted back a few inches to stick his hand down his pants so he could fix his raging boner.

But alas, you'd followed him like a magnet, squirming against him like you knew exactly what you were doing, so that his cock was wedged between your ass cheeks. Your body had been so warm, so soft against his hard one, that he had to stifle a moan.

Something you hadn't been able to do. If you hadn't been so close to him, he would have missed your soft gasp of his name. That's when he blew a fuse.

He would have loved to wake you up with kisses along your neck, let his fingers wander slowly over your skin until they finally disappeared into your panties. He would have let them glide through your folds and collect your wetness before gently rubbing your bundle of nerves. You would have turned to him and moaned into his mouth as he slid one of his fingers into your tight walls.

He'd never escaped his bedroom so quickly and quietly and jumped into the freezing cold shower.

The water felt like fine pinpricks as it splashed down on his burning hot skin, but no matter how cold he turned it on - his cock stood angry and proud. He put his head back in despair, his brain vehemently refusing to see his friend in this light, to desire you like this. But before he could do anything about it, his fingers had wrapped themselves around his aching cock. His imagination ran away with him, too many images popped up in his mind's eye as he squeezed it twice in the hope of relieving some tension. But the only thing it triggered was the feeling of a moment ago, when his cock was against your ass.

He was almost ashamed of how quickly he came.

He just hoped you didn't notice when he came back into the bedroom and woke you up with it. He had thought about lying back next to you, but had decided on the foot of the bed to create some distance.

The fact that you were dreaming about him threw him off course. And he'd really wanted to kiss you - by God, he'd wanted to do even kinkier things to you - but the timing never seemed right.

And then Lando's message came.

The vibration in his pocket brings him back to the present. Charles takes a quick look around to make sure he's not the center of the conversation, then glances at his phone.

Lando: You need to come home now.

He looks at the screen, confused. Why the hell is Lando texting him? Lando of all people? Did you tell him all the things Charles threw at you? How badly he treated you?

Charles: I'm in Maranello.

If you really did confide in Lando, his answer sounds pathetic. Why else would Lando text him? His friend certainly knows that Charles screwed up. And also that you want to move out of the apartment. But does the Brit really believe that Charles could change your mind when he's the reason you're moving out?

Lando's answer comes immediately.

Lando: I don't care. Get your ass over here.

The Monegasque turns on the keypad lock on his cell phone and places it on the table in front of him. It wouldn't make any difference if he went home now and tried to change your mind. What could happen is that his presence would only strengthen your decision to move out. Besides, he doesn't know how he's ever going to face you again.

Before he can think about it, his cell phone starts ringing. The eyes of his co-workers land on him and he apologizes with a quiet "mi dispiace" before leaving the meeting, phone in hand. Out in the corridor, he doesn't even need to look at the screen to know who is calling.

"If you don't go back to Monaco immediately, I'll come to Italy myself to get you," Lando snaps at him and Charles has to hold the receiver away from his ear to stop his eardrums from bursting.

"Hi, Lando."

"Don't give me 'Hi, Lando'. Get your fucking ass over here."

Charles rubs his forehead before running his whole hand over his face. "I can't just leave here."

"Don't talk shit like that. We both know you're not up for the meeting," the Brit replies bitchily. "Don't act like you don't have a choice."

The Monegasque rolls his eyes. "What do you want to hear from me now, Lando?"

The answer comes like a shot from a gun. "I want to know what you've been up to! Are you completely stupid?"

Charles would like to know the answer too.

"You go home right now, explain your shitty behaviour and apologize."

"And you're interfering because...?" His tone is cold.

"Because I was in your apartment all evening and had to watch how devastated Y/N was. I'd love to kill you for it."

"Go ahead and do it. She sure as hell wouldn't mind."

He swears he hears Lando take a deep breath on the other end of the line.

"I'm going to tell you this once. Just once, Charles. And I'm saying this for her sake, because I still have hope that you're the person I was praising to her."

Praising? If you've told Lando everything, then you've certainly told Charles everything about the Brit. That he just wants to get you into bed. So why would Lando want to help him?

"What you did was absolute bullshit, Charles. Totally below the belt and you've never acted as fucking shit as you just did."

Charles rolls his eyes. "Is there anything positive coming?"

"Shut up, you idiot. I don't know what you've done in the few days you've known each other to make her so crazy about you, but I don't have to. Any blind man can see there's something between you. Something good. So go home now and save what can be saved before she really decides to leave the country."

Charles, who had just been leaning against the wall, stands up straight. "The country? I thought she just wanted to move out."

"She's been thinking about it, asshole. United States, Australia. Something really far away from you."

"But she has her job here, at that one magazine. There's no way she'd leave like that."

"She got fired, motherfucker. Before you made your weird deal. Nothing's keeping her here anymore. So get your ass over here now before she really decides to take off."

How could Charles be so blind? He knows the magazine, his mom reads it occasionally and he actually knows that a new issue comes out every week. You've known each other for five days - five days that you've spent entirely with him. Something that would definitely not be possible with such a full-time job.

"And what do you want from me now? That I drop everything to go home even though she doesn't want to see me?"

"I've never seen anyone as stupid as you."

"Can you stop with the insults?" Charles snaps through the phone.

"You have nothing to say to me, you arsehole. She told me what you said about me. You owe it to us to go off and try to make things right."

Charles can't help but laugh. "Us? So you two are already an us?" He doesn't know why he's talking to one of his closest friends like this. Especially when the latter only wants to help put things right that Charles has messed up. The Monegasque has no reason to be angry. But the disgusting taste in his mouth, which he hasn't been able to get rid of for hours, is not anger. Unfortunately, he only realizes it now.

He's fucking jealous. And he can't do anything about it.

"We're friends, but apparently you don't know what the word stands for," Lando replies snippily. "Go home, explain to her why you behaved so badly and apologize to her." His voice softens, warmer than it has been throughout the phone call. "Charles, I know you're being careful because you're afraid of getting hurt again. And I can understand that, I really can." He takes a deep breath. "But it's Y/N we're talking about here. Sit down and talk to each other, be honest, and then it'll all work out."

Charles' gaze wanders to the huge Ferrari logo hanging on the wall next to him and his bad guilt returns. You don't even know who he is. To you, he's Charles, the roommate who shows you beautiful places, introduces you to his friends and with whom you share a bed. You are the only person who knows him as Charles and not as Charles Leclerc.

What would you think of him if the cat was out of the bag? When you see who he really is, including the spotlight? What happens if you like Charles, but not Charles Leclerc? He doesn't know if he could handle it. His job is his life, he's on the road all year round and what little time he has he has to divide between friends and family.

That's why his relationship with Annika failed. She was right about what she threw at him. That you always have to wait for him and that it's not fair. And she knew what she was getting into from the start. But you don't. You would be thrown in at the deep end if you decided to go for it. If you chose him.

"I don't think it's that easy," Charles says quietly, and he has to suppress the tremor in his voice. "She - she doesn't deserve this life. This risk. She - she," he takes a deep breath and has to wipe away the tear running down his cheek. "She's too good for me. She deserves someone great."

"How strange," Lando replies. "That's exactly what she says about you. So get in the car and apologize. I'm sure you'll be able to sort it out. And if you say shit like that about me again, I'll drive you into the wall in Bahrain next year."

Charles curls his mouth into a thin smile. "I'm truly sorry, Lando. And thank you for everything."

"I'm just absolutely the best." Charles can almost hear his grin before the Brit hangs up.

When the Monegasque re-enters the meeting room, all eyes are on him. With deliberate steps, he walks to his chair and grabs his jacket before looking at his team boss. "I'm going home."

His boss crosses his arms in front of his chest. "You can't just leave like that, Charles. We need to talk about next season and everything that's gone wrong this year."

"I can tell you exactly what happened," the brunette replies as he zips up his jacket. "The strategies this year were all for the trash, you screwed me over and you cost me the title." He grabs his wallet and car keys from the table in front of him. "Make sure things go better next year. After all, it doesn't get any shittier than this. See you next year. Have a good holiday."

He knows that his Ferrari can drive fast. And he also knows that he shouldn't drive that fast. But the roads home are empty and he wants to get to you as quickly as possible, in the hope that you haven't left the apartment yet. The accelerator pedal is almost stuck to the floor and he would certainly have to pay a heavy fine if the police caught him speeding. But apparently luck is on his side and it takes him just over three hours to turn onto the streets of Monaco.

The closer he gets to your apartment, the faster his heart beats and he can feel himself starting to sweat. What's the best way to start the apology?

I'm sorry I was so shitty to you, but it was because -

I behaved like crap, but it was only because -

I'm sorry I was such a bad friend, but you should have -

Wow. It actually all sounds like shit.

Maybe Lando is right. Maybe the most reasonable thing would be for Charles to just be honest, even if it means destroying everything between you. But you deserve the truth.

I'm sorry I said those bad things to you and I'm sorry I hurt you. Of course, apologizing can't undo any of it, but if you gave me the chance, I could explain myself to you. I was jealous because we had such a nice evening and then I find out you planned a date with one of my friends. I wanted to kiss you in the bookstore, I've wanted you ever since we met. You've been messing with my head from the beginning, taking over my heart and I can't think straight when you're with me. Maybe it's crazy because we've only known each other for five days, but I've never felt about someone the way I feel about you. I'm in lo-

His train of thought stops abruptly as he turns into the street. A green Nissan is parked on the sidewalk in front of your apartment, the driver's door is open and the hazard lights illuminate the walls of the house.

Charles worriedly parks at the next opportunity before jumping out of the car and dashing to the front door, which is wide open. He can already hear angry voices from outside, a male voice that almost shouts the whole house awake.

And your voice, angry and rough and shaky, as if you were at the end of your tether.

Charles sprints up the few steps to your apartment and stops like a flash on the top step when he sees you. You're wearing your pyjamas, your hair is disheveled, as if you've run your hand through it several times, and when you see him, you snap your eyes open as if you've seen a ghost.

But it's not the sight of you that makes Charles' blood boil.

It's Raphael's, who follows your gaze and takes a step back when he realizes who he's facing. "Your roommate is Charles Leclerc?"

next part

#charles leclerc #charles leclerc smut #charles leclerc prompt #charles leclerc blurb #charles leclerc imagine #lando norris #carlos sainz jr #charles leclerc fanfic #charles leclerc cute #charles leclerc fanfiction #charles leclerc x yn #charles leclerc x reader #charles leclerc x you #charles leclerc x female reader #charles leclerc one shot #charles leclerc fluff #f1 smut #f1 x reader #f1 fanfic

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norris55s · 1 year ago

Text

she devil - charles leclerc

(black cat) ferrari driver reader x (golden retriever) charles leclerc social media au

a/n: the concept is stone cold driver meets sunshine driver, is infected by the happiness, and is cool with it because she fell in love. face claim is bella hadid :) ❤️

requests are open!

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scuderiaferrari

liked by 2,034,924

scuderiaferrari: We are extremely proud to announce our 2024 driver line up: Charles Leclerc, Il Predestinato, and Y/N L/N, La Diavolessa. We are certain this is a step closer to bring the championship back to Maranello, and to our Tifosi. ❤️

view all 5,724 comments

charles16s: why is she named La Diavolessa?

y/nsupremacy: she’s from Italy and the tifosi have loved her forever, so they nicknamed her She Devil because of how she drives

y/ncupid: i have been dreaming of this for YEARS

leclercfosi: i wonder how she’ll team up with charles, she has always been a handful lol

fallingfory/n: she is a great sportswoman. women don’t have to be complacent to be good people, fck outta here w/ that narrative

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y/nusername

liked by 1,925,024

y/nusername: Ferrari 2024.

view all 2,034 comments

charles_leclerc: Give them hell. Welcome to the team! ❤️‍🔥

sebastianvettel: I’m sure you will bring glory back to Maranello ❤️

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y/nusername:

liked by 1,234,245

y/nusername: New season, new cars. That was a great first race.

view all 2,395 comments

charles_leclerc: 👊❤️‍🔥

scuderiaferrari: We are so proud of you!

lewishamilton: Welcome, huge start 💪🏼

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y/nusername

liked by 1,562,924

y/nusername: Amazing team results so far, let’s keep up the good work after the summer break.

leclercstarlight: miss girl doesn’t smile much does she

wildflowery/n: imagine being in 2024 and still being a “you should smile more” ass bitch, she’ll smile when she wants to

charles_leclerc: Amazing season 🏆❤️‍🔥

eurougeleclerc: he’s so whipped lol i’m calling it not

ferrarisduo: me when im delusional

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charles_leclerc

liked by 1,134,385

charles_leclerc: We did everything to maximize our results today. Big congrats to y/nusername for her first win; so very happy for you! ❤️‍🔥 The pizza celebration was better than anything.

view all 2,875 comments

y/nusername: Thank you, Charles. You’ve been a great teammate.

alliny/n: what goes ON

shadowleclerc: she gives kimi and i love it

mastermindy/n: she’s like race win? cool

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y/nusername

liked by 1,035,475

y/nusername: Things didn’t go to plan in my race, but I’m genuinely happy for charles_leclerc. We will be back stronger.

view all 2,078 comments

y/nsupremacy: y’all don’t get it she’s SMILING after a dnf because of A MAN

y/nhaven: she also literally defended for him. strategy had already fucked her up but the fact that she wasn’t coming for his throat… she must really like him lmao

charles_leclerc: Thank you, Y/N. Couldn’t have done with without you ❤️‍🔥

midnightcharles: he keeps using the heart fire emoji i can’t lmfao

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formulanews

liked by 54,724

formulanews: Charles and Y/N have been interviewed together for GQ magazine, and they were asked about the nature of their relationship as teammates or friends. Charles said: “I think the world of her and I admire her mentality and race craft a lot. I also think she is a great friend to me and everyone around her, I don’t know why people think she isn’t. Y/N brings a lot of passion to the grid.” Meanwhile, Y/N told the publication: “Charles is a good guy, and a better driver. Being his teammate is fruitful; so is being his friend.”

view all 245 comments

starleclerc: y/n doesn’t speak much but when she does it’s meaningful

y/nheart: charles also spoke so highly of her like wow

leclercsplanet: honestly charles likes her a lot and y/n also seems comfortable with him which unusual

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f1waggossip

liked by 104,483

f1waggossip: We are as shocked as anyone else but Charles and Y/N have been seen acting very cozy on a yacht in Monaco. New relationship just dropped, out of literal nowhere!

view all 1,035 comments

lovebirdleclerc: THERES NO MF WAY

eurougeleclerc: i was called delusional I CALL IT MANIFESTING

y/nhaven: what, and i can’t stress this enough, the fuck just happened

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y/nusername

liked by 2,794,924

y/nusername: Love :)

view all 6,024 comments

charles_leclerc: my sweet girl ❤️‍🔥🤍

y/nhope: i am fainting rn like actually afraid for my life rn

dazzlingleclerc: pinch me fr

landonorris: she does smile everyone, i’ve seen it when they (disgustingly) kiss

danielricciardo: don’t be so jealous (it’s true, it’s disgustingly sweet)

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charles_leclerc

liked by 2,034,835

charles_leclerc: She is actually an angel 🤍❤️‍🔥

view all 4,035 comments

y/nusername: Still she devil, just in love.

charles_leclerc: Give them hell forever.

carlossainz55: Can I just say you’re welcome for leaving Ferrari and letting Y/N join?

#f1 #f1 au #f1 fanfic #f1 smau #f1 social media au #f1 x reader #formula 1 #charles leclerc #Charles leclerc fanfic #Charles leclerc x reader #Charles leclerc social media au #Charles leclerc smau #Charles leclerc au

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pickingupmymercedes · 9 days ago

Text

Your future was Ferrari - 2 / ?

Chapters - 1 / 2 / 3

Reupload

summary: He was going to be a Ferrari driver and she was going trackside, nothing short of a perfect storm.

pairing: Lewis Hamilton x Ferrari Engineer!Reader!

warnings: alusion to mature content.

wordcount: +2K

a/n: last of the reuploads, next chapter is a brand new chapter

As always, I'm open for feedback, come say hi!

MILD CONTENT UNDER, -16 PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

______________________________________________________________

The crisp January air of Maranello was a welcome change from the desert heat of Abu Dhabi.

Three whirlwind months had passed since that night, and now, amidst the intricate tapestry of Ferrari’s world, everything was beginning to feel like home—the rhythmic pulse of machinery, fervent debates over car performance, and the aroma of freshly brewed espresso.

But even as you settled into your new role, the ghost of that night lingered, a quiet hum in the back of your mind that you couldn’t quite shake.

You told yourself it was nothing, just a fleeting moment of madness, but the memory of Lewis’s hands on your skin, his lips against yours, was harder to forget than you cared to admit.

It was one night. One. Night. You’re not some lovesick teenager. You’re a Ferrari engineer. Act like it.

One afternoon, while engrossed in finalizing a critical report for the 2024 car, a summons arrived from Fred’s secretary. Your heart thudded against your ribs like a frantic drumbeat as you made your way to his office.

Upon entering, you were greeted not only by Fred's imposing presence but also by Charles, whose eyes sparkled with a glint.

"Ah, y/n! Glad you could join us" boomed Fred, gesturing to the empty chair opposite him. Charles flashed you a friendly grin, but there was something in his expression—a flicker of curiosity, maybe even suspicion—that made your stomach twist.

This is either a promotion or an intervention. And I was not ready either way.

As you settled into the leather chair, a wave of nerves began to recede. The meeting commenced with a comprehensive review of your contributions and insights into Ferrari’s new car.

Then, Fred dropped a bombshell that made you freeze.

"We've been impressed with your work, y/n," he began, his voice serious. "I already knew of your great technical understanding and quick thinking, and Charles here has been particularly vocal about his…" he paused, glancing at the monegasque with a smile, "enthusiasm for your skills."

Charles cleared his throat, leaning forward with a playful smirk. "As you know, we’re an engineer short at trackside. The demands are intense—the relentless travel, the grueling 24-race season—but the experience is unparalleled. We believe you'd be the perfect addition to my side of the garage."

Your mind whirred at breakneck speed.

The prospect of working trackside, under the revered banner of Ferrari, was intoxicating. You couldn’t deny the thrill of being closer to the action, the adrenaline rush of race weekends.

Yet, a nagging voice of caution whispered reminders of the relentless schedule and unyielding scrutiny.

Perfect addition, huh? Sleep deprivation, jet lag, and the constant threat of public humiliation. Sign me up.

"It's a lot to consider" you admitted, looking between the two men.

Charles leaned back, a playful smile on his lips. "Think of it, y/n! Only for a test if anything. You’ve always wanted that, even back at Alpha. Although, you would have to face the brunt of Fred's coffee breath during briefings," he joked, earning a chuckle from Fred.

"Alright, for a test. Just a couple races" you agreed, a grin splitting your face,

The joy in Charles' eyes mirrored your own. He bumped your fist with a whoop. But as you left Fred's office, Charles stopped you in the hallway, his smile fading slightly.

"Hey," he began hesitantly, "about last year… I got a little carried away that night. You and Lewis? What happened?"

The question almost got you choking. Your stomach lurched. How could you tell him the truth? And you fumbled with your thoughts as you tried to get something out.

"Oh, you know," you resorted to lies, forcing a casual smile, "fan stuff. Autographs and all that."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Charles' face. "Ah, right." he mumbled. "Well, see you in Bahrain then. It’ll be nice to have you in the pit wall!"

You plastered another smile on your face, but the guilt gnawed at your conscience.

Packing for Bahrain. Excitement bubbled beneath the surface, but so did the unease. You were going trackside, and Charles just reminded you of an added bonus to that—Lewis.

Sure, Y/n. I’m sure sneaking out of Lewis Hamilton’s hotel room at dawn could totally be considered “fan stuff”

The shrill ring of your phone pierced the quiet of the dawn. It was an unusual wake-up call at 6:00 AM, especially on a Wednesday mid-winter break.

Squinting at the screen, you saw your dad's name and answered with a groggy, "Hello?"

The familiar booming voice filled your ear. "Y/n! Did you hear the news? Lewis to Ferrari! Can you believe it?"

You forced a laugh. "Dad, there have been rumors about Lewis to Ferrari for years. Remember that time they photoshopped him in a red suit?"

"This feels different, though! There are articles everywhere, even F1 is buzzing about it." Your dad's excitement was palpable through the phone as a wave of nausea washed over you.

You mumbled an agreement, hanging up before he could pick up on the tremor in your voice with the excuse of work. The news hung heavy in the air, a dark cloud amidst the usual pre-season jitters.

As you went about your day, the rumors intensified. Mentions on social media turned into breaking news alerts.

By lunchtime, a tense hush had fallen over everyone at Maranello and an unexpected staff meeting announcement had everyone sure the talk wasn’t only rumors.

As you walked towards the assembly hall, a colleague whispered, "Did you hear? Brackley's having a meeting too."

Of course they are. Buckle up, Y/n. This is going to be a wild ride.

The hall was packed, a sea of expectant faces illuminated by the harsh fluorescent lights. Fred stood at the center; his face uncharacteristically serious. The silence in the room deafening.

"Everyone" he began, his voice carrying an air of gravitas, "as you may be aware, there have been a lot of speculations circulating today. Speculations that have become… well, reality."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. You could hear the collective intake of breath from the crowd.

“Lewis Hamilton is joining Scuderia Ferrari for the 2025 season.” A triumphant glint briefly played in his eyes, but before anyone could respond, the team principal continued “But that’s not for another year. In 2024, we have Charles here and Carlos, who have given us amazing years.”

The hall erupted in a cacophony of comments and stunned silence.

You felt the floor tilt beneath your feet. Your heart hammered against your ribs, a frantic drum solo threatening to burst out of your chest.

Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari was monumental by itself.

And then there was a tiny detail. Your shame was about to collide spectacularly with your professional life.

You were frozen, a lone island of stillness amidst the storm.

The conversations faded into a distant hum. You gripped the edge of a chair, trying to anchor yourself amidst the emotional turmoil. You had hidden that night from everyone, from yourself even. And now you would have to possibly work alongside him.

You’ve officially done it, Y/N. You’ve had your one-night stand and now he’s joining your team. Congrats. Your life is officially a soap opera.

The desert sun beat down on the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, baking the asphalt and testing the limits. For you, it was the third day of your first official trackside deployment with Ferrari, and a whirlwind of emotions churned within you.

The initial media frenzy surrounding Lewis' arrival had subsided, replaced by the usual pre-season buzz: championship predictions, car evaluations, and the ever-present debate about the second-fastest team, which as of now seemed to be Ferrari.

You'd managed to navigate the past two days with what you defined as success.

Charles had appreciated your input during pit stops and strategy discussions, and Fred's reassuring pat on the back after a successful test session confirmed he hadn't made the wrong choice in calling you in.

Yet, a constant undercurrent of tension ran beneath the surface. The ghost of Abu Dhabi loomed large every time you passed by anything Mercedes related.

Just keep your head down, Y/n. Avoid eye contact, don’t engage. You’ve got this.

The day had unfolded in a blur of data analysis and strategy meetings. By the time everyone else had left, you found yourself volunteering to stay back and finalize some reports.

The solitude, however, was short-lived. As you gathered your belongings, a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness of the paddock.

"Still here, I see?" Lewis' voice made you freeze on the spot.

He motioned towards the garage as he approached , and you hesitantly waited for him to reach you.

Great. Just great.

"Glad to see you're part of Ferrari. You failed to mention that" he began, his tone casual.

Feigning ignorance, you played along. "I don't think we've met." A single eyebrow of his arched up in a silent challenge.

"Babe" he drawled, his voice laced with amusement, "I've kissed every inch of your skin. We've been introduced alright."

The air caught in your throat and his laughter did little to ease your mortification.

As if I don’t recall that night. Thanks, Lewis. Really appreciate it.

"You left pretty early the next morning," he continued, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "Didn't even leave a message. Your phone. Quite the enigma." He reached into his pocket; his phone poised. "How about we change that?"

Panic surged through you as his intentions became clear. Just as you were about to stammer a response, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

"Y/n? Are you still here?" It was Charles, his tone light but his eyes sharp as they flicked between you and Lewis.

Lewis straightened, his smirk fading into a polite smile as he turned to face Charles. "Charles. Good to see you."

"Lewis" Charles replied, his tone friendly but with a hint of teasing. "What brings you to our side of the paddock? Still a year to go, you know."

Lewis chuckled, his demeanor relaxed but his eyes flicking briefly to you. "Just popped by to find Fred. Had a few things to discuss."

Charles raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it, but he didn’t press further. Instead, he turned to you with a grin.

"Y/n, have you met Lewis? I know you were fan-girling over him at the Abu Dhabi party last year. Asked for his autograph and everything"

You froze, your mind racing, but you forced a smile, playing along. "Uh, yeah. Big fan."

Fan-girling? Autograph? Charles, what are you doing?

Lewis’s lips twitched, his eyes glinting with amusement as he extended his hand. "Nice to meet you… Y/n. I take you’re an engineer?"

You shook his hand, his grip firm and lingering just a second too long. “Yeah, first year trackside as well”

Charles, not at all oblivious to the tension, clapped Lewis on the shoulder. "Well, don’t let me keep you. Fred’s probably back in the office by the paddock if you’re looking for him."

Lewis nodded, his gaze lingering on you for a moment longer before he turned to leave. "See you around, Y/n."

As he walked away, you let out a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding. Charles turned to you, his expression curious. "So… what exactly was he doing here?"

You shrugged, trying to keep your tone casual. "I don’t know, really. Snooping maybe?"

Charles chuckled, glancing in the direction Lewis had gone. "You know, the contract negotiations of him joining us started back in November. Crazy, right?"

Your stomach dropped.

November. As in, before Abu Dhabi. Before the party. Before… everything.

You forced a laugh, trying to mask your shock. "So, you knew he was joining when you dared me to hit on him?"

Charles grinned, clearly enjoying himself. "I just knew you wouldn’t actually do it … and I was right."

Yeah, let’s keep that version going buddy.

All you knew is you couldn't allow yourself to be around Lewis, not after that. Not when the truth could come spilling out like a dam bursting.

Not when he was offering you something you didn’t even know could be within your reach, something you had never even thought of being a possibility.

With each step you took in that empty paddock, you faced a choice: to embrace the unknown allure Lewis offered or to just forget that anything had ever happened.

Good luck with that!

______________________________________________________________

TAGLIST

@palefacestudentlove @omgsuperstarg @sltwins @lh44girl @freyathehuntress

If you’d like to be added to my taglist you can leave a comment or send me a dm/ask.

#f1 imagine #f1 fanfic #f1 scenario #f1 x reader #lewis hamilton #lh #lh44 #lewis #lewis x reader #lewis imagine #lewis hamilton fanfic #lewis hamilton x reader #lewis hamilton one shot #lewis hamilton imagine #lh44 x reader #lh44 imagine #lewis hamilton x you

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rainbowsaftersunshine · 2 months ago

Text

The Magic of Charles Leclerc

I often get asked what it is that appeals to me about watching sports or cheering for any particular athlete. In my lifetime so far, I have been mesmerized by the sheer grit and devotion of a few. My childhood was marked by the grace and brilliance of Roger Federer and the tenacity of watching Michael Schumacher race, I later discovered the wonderful story of Yuzuru Hanyu. I came to realize that there was a very specific brand of sportsperson I was drawn to. Ones who stayed true to themselves and paved their own way even when the odds were against them, produced the most stunning displays of strength even if the whole world was against them. It was no surprise that when I came back to the world of F1 in 2022, I was instantly drawn to Charles Leclerc. This was a man who chased an impossible dream through his childhood and teens. Didn't budge from his plans even when it seemed like he had no funds to continue. He always put in the work no matter what. Even if nothing went according to plan, he put his head down and worked harder to chase his dream. I've always found it incredibly inspiring that he can come back stronger even in the face of failure when it seems nothing is going to plan and nobody is on his side. Going into the 2024 season, he had been without a win for nearly 2 years, but nothing could shake his beliefs, and what a year it has been.

In 2024, I've had a year full of big life changes and many ups and downs that needed me to be mentally strong. And on days when I felt like it was hard to carry on, I would just think of Charles. How he would not give up. I had a big milestone to complete the morning after the Monaco GP- it would have determined how the rest of my year went. That win fuelled me to carry on and I felt like I could achieve anything. The next big milestone coincided with Monza. I tuned in expecting him to at least be on the podium, but the mastery of that win blew me away. The fortune of that win made me feel like it was a good omen, it had blessed my day. COTA was one beautiful bonus. And Abu Dhabi 2024. I don't even know where to begin. Never count him out, and a lesson learned that if there's hopium floating through his veins, you best believe he's gonna pull off something crazy, beautiful, and special. We may have not won the WCC, but this is a drive that will be etched in the books. The odds were against him from the beginning of the weekend, but look at what he pulled off!!! Charles, thank you for being the man and the driver that you are. I do hope to get to see you race in person someday.

For now, I write this just to express how much I am thankful to have you as an inspiration to look up to. And you best believe I will be spending the winter break praying that this man will have better luck next year and can bring home the championship to Maranello. Il Predestinato, your time will come. It has to.

#charles leclerc #f1 #cl16 #ferrari

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hereforf1 · 7 months ago

Text

I have mixed emotions right now because my dash is devided into two groups:

those who say it has been worse and we have gotten up before. How Fred has time to turn things around since it took Todt years. How we should trust in Charles and his capabilities to win. "Forza Ferrari Sempre" people

those who doompost and say we are screwed. Who think Charles should just leave Ferrari and go fight for the WDC in another team. Where he could truly show what he can do. People who don't trust Fred nor Ferrari anymore. "Forza Charles" people

And I, personally, have no idea how to feel. Because yes. I would absolutely LOVE to see Charles bring the Championship back to Maranello. Afterall he IS the Il Predestinato. It would remake history in the most beautiful way.

At the same time, I want Charles to win. And currently, Ferrari isn't the place for that. I see Lestappen Gate 2024 posts and adore the idea. That's where he could truly shine and prove himself. I LOVE the idea and would support Charles through it all.

Point is: I don't know which one is better... I would love to be able to say I have faith in Ferrari, be a "Forza Ferrari Sempre" person. But I fear I have no "Forza Ferrari's" left in me. You will always see me "Forza Charles" here but my opinion on Ferrari is just all over the place right now. And I hate it.

I want to believe. I want to have faith. I want to trust in them and the project. But how much longer can I do this? These weekends when everything seems to go to hell and Charles is more frustrated than anyone.

Honestly, I have no idea.

#sorry about the partial doomposting #and the rant #had to get it off my chest #there's just been so many different views and im so confused and unsure and everything #so here is my way of getting it out #sorry again #lestappen #charles leclerc #scuderia ferrari #formula 1 #f1 #british gp 2024 #rant post

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charles-leclerc-official · 9 months ago

Note

Would you say Schumacher bled Ferrari? (This is a genuine question I'm not trying to get you into messy shit) This was simply inspired by that one tumblr text post: (https://www.tumblr.com/mugellocircuit/713170981288607744/i-hate-ferrari-and-i-love-ferrari-i-love-ferrari?source=share)

And how they say "Michael loved Ferrari and Ferrari loved him back". I hope Ferrari loves Charles the way it loved Michael, I hope they help him bring that same glory back to the team and back to Maranello.

Follow up question is, do you think there's ever been a driver who lives, breathes and bleeds Ferrari like Charles does? Because I genuinely don't think I've ever seen any other driver with quite that amount of devotion to a team (a cult)

I think there have been many drivers who feel this way. They are usually the ones who had the commitment to stay with the team even through the hard times because in their mind it was worth it. Ferrari can be a demanding mistress but she gives glory to those who are truly devoted to her.

I think Charles is unique in the sense that he's for sure the first one in a long time to truly be the most openly insane about Ferrari. Like concerningly insane, and of course that resonates with us Tifosi, because we too are insane. Ferrari do love Charles as much as they love him and they are doing everything to give him a championship worthy car.

However I do not think he is alone, Ferrari has a way of just getting to drivers in a way no other team does. If there is one thing I can be certain of is that Ferrari will have another driver who is as devoted to the team as Charles. It's just what the red car does to people.

Some of my favorite quotes from Ferrari drivers(current and former)

"A part of my heart will always be red." - Michael Schumacher "Without my team I am nothing" - Michael at Imola 2000

Michael had his good times and his struggles at Ferrari but he is only ever saying one team has a place in his heart. That quote from Imola is especially emotional because 2000 was his first Ferrari championship(he didn't know it at the time) and to be there at Imola and just love the whole team and appreciate what that race means. I feel like that says a lot.

"People don't know exactly how much I love Ferrari. I won my only title with her." - Kimi Raikkonen.

Given the man he was and the many struggles he had with that team people didn't outwardly see the love he had for that team the same way they do with someone like Charles. But a man like Kimi stayed with that team as long as he did because he loved them. He doesn't say much, and complains a lot, but in the end he is still in love with Ferrari. (Also note his use of her yeah that man was so gone for the red car)

"For me Ferrari is my heart, Mercedes my wallet" - Niki Lauda

Niki telling it like it is. Most other teams are just that, other teams. A fast car and a paycheck. Ferrari is the team that you take with you as a driver forever, the only team, the only car that actually meant more than the surface level adrenaline of racing and winning.

"Once you have raced for Ferrari you will remain a Ferrari driver forever" - Stefan Johansson

"There are a lot of fairy tales about Ferrari and how it feels to drive a red car. In the end I can only confirm these fairy tales." - Sebastian Vettel

There is a mythical reverence drivers have for the team. At least the ones who truly feel a deep connection to Ferrari. Simply getting to drive that red car is a spiritual experience for many.

"The red car, even before I knew it was called Ferrari, was my obsession" - Charles Leclerc

"When I dream of being world champion one day, in my mind I wear a red racing suit and get out of a red car" - Charles Leclerc

"Ferrari is my life" - Charles Leclerc

"Ferrari means to me everything . . . it is an incredible honor to be a part of this team that now became a family . . . now my own dream remains, a dream that writes itself in red." - Charles Leclerc(2024 and beyond contract renewal announcement)

He composed music to Ferrari. He loves F1 but it doesn't make sense in his head unless he is in a red car and in a red suit.

I will end this section with the one and only quote:

"Everyone is a Ferrari fan. Even if they say they're not, they are Ferrari fans." - Sebastian Vettel

Forza Ferrari

#another day no one asked me about Kimi and yet I manage to bring him up anyway #scuderia ferrari #charles leclerc #sebastian vettel #kimi raikkonen #i realize I am never beating the cult allegations with this post

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umlewis · 1 year ago

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lewis hamilton during the press conference on day three of pre-season testing, bahrain - february 23, 2024 (transcript under the cut)

Journalist: "What changed between the summer and the decision to make the call for Ferrari?" Lewis: "Obviously in summer we signed and obviously I, at that time, saw my future with Mercedes, but an opportunity came up in the new year and I decided to take it. It was obviously the hardest decision I think I've ever had to make. Obviously I've been with Mercedes for… I think it's, like, 26 years they've supported me, and we've had an absolutely incredible journey together. We've created history within the sport, and it's something I take a lot of pride in. I'm very proud of what we've achieved. But I think ultimately I'm writing my story, and I felt like it was time to start a new chapter." [time jump] Lewis: "For every driver, I think, growing up, watching the history, watching Michael Schumacher in his prime, I think probably all of us sit in our garage and see the screen pop up and you see the driver in the red cockpit and you wonder what it'd be like to be surrounded by the red. You go to the Italian Grand Prix and you see the sea of red, of Ferrari fans, and you can only stand in awe of that, and it's a team that's not had huge success, really, since… Mostly, obviously, from Michael's days, but since 2007, and I saw it as a huge challenge, and without a doubt… Even as a kid, I used to play on GP2 as Michael in that car, so it definitely is a dream and I'm really, really excited about it." Interviewer: "Lewis, have you ever been to Maranello? Lewis: "I have not. I bought my first Ferrari in 2010, I think. That was my first present to myself. I don't have it anymore, but I didn't get to go during that time. Being with Mercedes, I didn't think it was a good look to go, at the time." Journalist: "Are you on Duolingo already? Are you planning to have lessons? What's the game plan with that? Thank you." Lewis: "In all these years, I've not managed to learn any other languages, so… But of course I will definitely try. I do remember when I was karting in Italy and I was able to pick up a few lines, and so hopefully that will come back to me pretty quickly. But just to go back to, just about the new chapter… This chapter's still not finished. I'm still 100% focused on delivering for this team this year and trying to finish on a high. That's a big, big goal for me and the team, and I have absolute faith in everyone in the team and, what we've done so far, I think it's great, so I really hope that we are somehow able to close the gap to the Red Bulls, somehow." Journalist: "Can you tell us a little bit about your relationship with Fred? How important was he in your decision? Was he the only guy that could have convinced you to go there?" Lewis: "I've got a great relationship with Fred. Obviously I raced with him in Formula 3, and we had amazing success in Formula 3 and also in GP2, and that's really where the foundation of our relationship started, and we just always remained in touch. And I thought that he was gonna be an amazing team manager at some stage and progress to Formula 1, but at the time he wasn't interested in that, and it was really cool to see him step into the Alfa team, and then when he got the job at Ferrari I was just so happy for him. And I think just the stars aligned. It really wouldn't have happened without him, so I'm really grateful and really excited about the work that he's doing there and… Yeah."

#lewis hamilton #f1 #formula 1 #fic ref #fic ref 2024 #not a race #2024 not a race #pre-season #pre-season 2024 #testing #testing 2024 #bahrain #lando norris #valtteri bottas #lance stroll #esteban ocon #logan sargeant

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chussyracing · 1 year ago

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f1 news, rumours and interesting facts from the last few days

Alpine is parting ways with Director of Racing Expansion Projects Davide Brivio at the end of 2023 despite his contract running into 2024, there are rumours he will join Repsol Honda motogp team as a team boss

Aston Martin got approval for a new research and development facility in Silverstone

Either Andrea Stella is joking or smoking crack because he thinks in equal cars, the three best drivers on the grid would be Max, Lando and Fernando

Jannik Sinner scored a partnership with f1 to attend some races and promote the sport (and then visited Maranello)

Kubica is confirmed for ferrari's third hypercar and Shwartzman said he is interested in the seat as well - but he also tested indycar with Ganassi

Sainz says new ferrari 2024 car (or protect rather than a car at this point) behaves differently in the sim to the 2023 one

Aramco signed 5 year extension with am and they will be named aston martin aramco f1 team

Alfa Romeo is now Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber..... (and alpha tauri added the "RB" to their name which could be racing bulls but also red bull)

Merc is finally leaving the no side pod design to allow more event distribution and less drag

Charles won the overtake of the year with his move on Perez in Las Vegas!!!!

Fia changed rules about misconduct (and officially changed maximum fine to 1m euros, prohobited the use of flares on grandstands and shortened the right to review from 14 days to 96 hours aka 4 days)

Rbr did a pit stop in dark for some kind of dick measuring contest and got 2.84s which is just faster of ferrari's normal pit stops (if we have all 4 tyres ready)

Button to hypercar with Jota in 2024

Alpine finished the shares selling to us investors (the reynolds guy thingy)

Max went on about how absurd his fee is despite his team saying they will pay for him so... um 🤐

Fia hired more staff for in factory check ups to visit every 2/3 weeks but they wanna start visits with little to no notice where they call the factory and immediately visit in 10/15 mins

Rbr will start making a new wind tunnel in Milton Keynes that should be finished in (or was it by?) 2026

Ferrari confirmed the previously rumoured date of 2024 car presentation for 13th feb (Fred also said the car will be 95% different which supports Carlos saying the car concept is very different in sim and Fred saying they completely skipped two upgrades this year to focus more on 2024, among other stuff Fred also said both drivers will start on equal terms during the new season start)

Audi is rumoured to be keeping tabs on Lawson besides Ocon and Hulkenberg

there is a new ferrari challenge with matt gallagher from shell (someone remind me to watch it along the math challenge when I have time, also shout out to shell because I love the mini playing car from them i got) and the secret santa was posted (it is kinda boring this year ngl)

Also! The head fortuneteller Mika Hakkinen said yesterday that he thinks mclaren will take another step ahead in performance for 2024 and challenge red bull closer that merc or ferrari, but he also said that ferrari are finally on a correct path and Fred is the one team principal under which they will win a championship again "sooner or later"

While I knew f1 drivers are prohobited from doing dangerous stuff (unless you are Charles Leclerc and can make puppy eyes, then you can run half a marathon, wall climb, ice wall climb, scuba dive, ride and water scooter and what not), but I did not know red bull (and probably other drivers) have it specified in their contract they can't even drive a motorbike - which some of them wanted to do at Honda thanks day seeing Marc Marquez on his bike

Ben Sulayem is playing some weird game i do not like taking a dig at jean todt for leaving the fia operating with a loss (completely disregarding that's counting the covid years where motorsports events often couldn't even take place and lawsuit fees for the use of halo) and saying how under him the non profit organisation will get balanced sheet by 2025 (also said how fia must focus on safety and reputation which... hmm)

There are some rumours about the fia and its integrity and governing abilities (I just learned about how they fucked up wtcc and then wtcr after making the championship with close fights and easy rules where more teams could get in too exclusive opening chance for Citroën only to get ready for new rules so they dominated everything and adding huge spoilers which created dirty air and kept overtaking close to zero. Sounds scarily similar to f1 these days?)

#f1 #e #gossip night

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dayslynthesix · 1 year ago

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i was thinking about it while i was listening to a podcast and ill give it a go, hope you enjoy this one because i love the idea, reader (whos gonna have a name because i cant write for y/n anymore and i dont know why is a redbull engineer who happens to have a podcast

Getaway Car | Charles Leclerc x podcaster!reader

When Anna Zedra accepted the job as junior engineering at RedBull racing, she never thought that a job on the navy blue team would also give her a boyfriend. A boyfriend who used to drive for the infamous red team. A boyfriend who wanted so bad to be world champion but who could never won on that team. Everything started in 2022, middle of the season, pole and no win. And again. And again. And it started to get exhausting. Until Austria. Charles won on Redbull ring, and he thought it would be different. But it wasn't. As the season went on, Christian and the entire team were keeping an eye on his performance. RedBull offered a 2 years contract, they would pay him out of Ferrari, he didn't signed. But Charles had kept that contract in his drawer for the most part of the 2023 season, until COTA, and after that disastrous race, he called Christian, and that called lead to a meeting and a meeting lead to the Brazilian GP, who leads to the cover of all the sports magazine "Charles Leclerc signs with RedBull Racing for the 2024 season."

When Anna Zedra accepted the job as junior engineering at RedBull racing, her podcast was already a success into the motorsport. The All About Racing was an informative podcast who almost every month received a new guest. The 2022 season was marked by almost everyone making an appearance on the podcast. Max, Daniel, Christian, even Lewis Hamilton agreed to be on one of the episodes - and it was one of the most streamed episodes of the platform.

When Charles and Anna started to see each other, during the 2023 Italian GP, he was yet under Ferrari contract, but every once in a while he made a comment here and there about wanting to be on the podcast. Once the 2024 season started, and Anna was designed as his race engineer, and he was announced as the second driver of the team, they made a deal, they would record the episode after the first race and it would be released after his first win of the team. Charles wasn't expecting to win so soon, but he claimed his firts victory at the Saudi Arabia GP, he won the race with 15s to second place. So the podcast was aired during the middle of the night, because a deal is a deal.

Podcast transcription:

Anna: Hello everyone and welcome back to All About Racing, just for a little announcement, this podcast was recorded on the march 2nd, right after the Bahrein Grand Prix and as you know, our guest for today episode is no one else but Charles Leclerc. Welcome, Charles, thank you so much for being here today. I know how it went, but tell us, how it went qualy and the race?

Charles: Hello Anna. Thank you for having me and lets pretending you had a choice on that *laughs* Qualy went very well for the team, first qualy with RedBull and we had a 1-2 for the team, Max did an amazing lap on q3, but I'm very happy with the results, the car feels amazing and I'm very proud of my lap as well. The race was very good as well, the car is incredible reliable and it felt amazing to be on that podium. Aiming the highest spot nex week

Anna: Im very happy to listen that the car feels nice, I spend a lot of time working on that project. Adrian Newey learned everything he knows from me. Jokes a part, I know your dream was to win with Ferrari, for your dad, for Jules, for your young self, so how does it feels to move to RedBull after 5 years with Ferrari?

Charles: I mean... it was a tough call. I always wanted to drive for Ferrari, win on the red car, put a flag in Maranello, and in some level I did those things, I won with them, I was very happy in Monza in 2019, and I had some very incredible moments with the team and the tifosi and all related. My dad would be so happy for me to drive for them, I wanted to keep Jules legacy alive and so far being compared to him is still the most amazing thing I could ever experience. But it came a moment that I knew that I couldn't do more than what I was already doing, the car was very difficult to drive and it didn't suited my driving style and a lot of bad stuf kept happening and slowly it was killing me, it was killing my faith in myself and I wasn't believing in me, or the driver I am. It hurt a lot the moment I decided to leave, not to wear red in Monza or not to recieve the tifosi love... I thought it was over, if I wasn't a Ferrari driver I thought I would be no one. And then Christian and I we talked and I signed that contract and I drove the RB20 and everything clicked, Christian let me do something that I don't think is pretty common, but earlier this year I went on a private practice with the last 2 RBR cars, and I remember, like, feeling the car and suddenly the driver I am was awaken again, and I felt my confidence again and it just made sense. After the announcement I was so afraid of what the tifosi would say to me and I was so surprised of the amount of love I kept receiving. Yeah, I am no longer a Ferrari driver, I was for 5 years and I loved being part of the red team, but it came a point of a driver career that we need to make the choices which are better for our inner driver, not just ourselves. And I am immensely happy with RedBull, with the car and the team and everything.

Anna: Wow, that was very deep, you and I we alredy had this same conversation but is still very warming to listen to all of that again and to know that you are happy with the team, we are also very happy with you wearing navy blue. You said you're very happy and all, but walk us through your relationship with Max and how beeing teammates is working so far. We are insanely happy that there was no inchidents on the race.

Charles: *laughs* Oh my God, you'll never gonna let go, are you? Max and I we became pretty close om track during late season of 2019 and of track in 2022, we spent a lot of time playing padel and tennis and alson on the sim. We drive pretty much the same way, so it is very easy for the team to build a car that suits us both. During the race today we spend solid 25 laps fighting for position, he is way more used with the car than I am, so he won that one, but I am coming for him next race, there was no incidents and I'm pretty positive we will keep this way. We work fine on track, and Christian made us swear that whatever happens on track, stay on track.

Anna: Well done. No more inchidents, I see. There's people making comments on twitter and instagram about teams orders and first and second driver... what do you have to say about it?

Charles: No team orders, Max and I are free to fight as long as there's no risk of compromising each others position or the team, if theresa risk whomever is faster will get priority and the slowest will defend. Choosing a first and second driver is very good for car development, but considering that our driving style is very close there's no need to chose in which direction the car will go, whatever suits Max will most likely suit me as well. Obviously, as the season will developing, if theresa risk or a driver coming very close in points, the one who has more point will get priority as well, which is fair. And Max and I we are definitely not allowed to pull a Baku 2018 or a Spain 2016.

Anna: As a engineer and e RedBull employee I was already very familiar with that. You seems to be very close to a few drivers, how do you think being this close to others drivers helped to improve your driving skills?

Charles: I didn't have the amount of teammates Lewis had, for example, but I was teammate with Seb for 2 seasons and it was such a great experience to learn from him, to be close, to see how he thinks and how he matches with the car and all of that helped me a lot on how I would connect myself with the car as well, I've learned to be patient, to trust my institution and principally understand how the car is working and how to merge with a car who does not suit me 100%. When I signed with RedBull I called my mom, obviously and Seb was the second person I've called and I remembered exactly what he told me all the years we raced together, to not to waste my talent. I'm very close to Lewis as well, we went surfing last year and we have a lot in common, as drivers and as human beings. Not ironically, Jenson Button was around during last year and we've spent some time together as well, I was trying to learn how to be more smooth and he told me not to do that, because the way I drive today is the way I've learned how to drive and that's what gives me speed.

Anna: Lately we all have been talking about woman in formula one, it is another of our conversations so i already know all your thoughts but the audience doesn't, so please, elucidate us with your thoughts.

Charles: I don't think it should have this separation between man and woman in motorsport, it is not like they can't tolerate the conditions of a track you know? I think with F1 academy we are miles closer to have a woman in F1 than we were a few years ago but we are also miles away from it. One, I don't think there's a lot of teams who would "take the risk" and two I think for the comments I've read online that it isn't fair for any woman to have to deal with that, you know? Not performing well is a shot in the ego and all this comments put together is harmful. I watch volleyball, it is a strange habit that I've developed with Jenson because his wife is a volleyball player and those girls are playing two and a half hours match, they're running all the court, they're jumping and throwing themselves on the floor and like the gym time? Insane. Tennis as well, there's a few matches that are hours long and they are playing high level tennis and tennis is a very aggressive sport... so like I don't think the "woman doesn't have the physical to formula one" because it is not true. F1 is still a very exclusive sport, especially if you bring sponsors and teams are not comfortable of letting money go, there's 20 of us, soon to be 22 or 24 if Porsche and Audi make it and there's nothing on regulation that prohibits woman in F1, it would be very nice if one of those new teams go for a woman line up. RedBull last year had a reserve driver who performed amazingly, it was like she could see physically the track, the lines and kerbs. I'm all for woman in motorsport, Max and I we went to a girls karting track in Germany during the winter break and they are very talented.

Anna: Race weekend after race weekend I saw people on twitter talking about how they think you are not a F1 champion material, how you should be more vocal about what you want... everything someone who never been inside a F1 car could tell about it. How do you keep you mentality strong? We all know that you can perform under pressure. You won in Monza with 2 Mercedes pressuring you, you won in Austria with a throttle issue. You won your F2 championship after your dad passed away, you kept going for Jules... that's all very different of the kinda of pressure every other driver suffered during their careers.

Charles: I mean, I don't have to prove myself anymore. I impressed who I had to impress, I won a F3 and F2 championship. I'm here. I'm driving a F1 car every sunday. I've won in Formula One, so there's no one else that I have to impress anymore. I'm not calling the team out on the radio during a race, I don't think that's how you fix things, and I think it is the kind of thing that you talk privately with your team behind garage doors. I'm the one who's driving, the team is the one who have tha data, the difference between the car in front of me and the car behind me, the window we have to pit, the tyres we can use and the omes that makes the car performs better. The team needs to have their best interests to maximize the points on that weekend. It is not my job to do more than drive. But one thing is for sure, I'm the one who's driving, who's feeling the car, and once I tell the team that pitting for hards is a bad choice and that we need to pit for medium, because I am feeling the car, and they don't listen to me, that's out of my hands. I'll take full responsibility for my own mistakes. Imola in 2022? It was on me. France 2022? It was my fault. I'll take that, I accept that and I'll learn with those mistakes and I will do better the next time. Just because I don't scream on the radio and expose the team to the media it does means that I will not call them out privately. And people talk about it because they are not the one who is inside that cockpit.

Anna: You've been doing your job brilliantly. Everyone who truly understands F1 knows that, you wouldn't be driving for Ferrari in your second year if you weren't a good driver. Or for RedBull, and God knows the amount of years we were waiting for this to happen.

Charles: It is happening now. And about my dad and Jules... I was doing my job, I mourned my father after that race, I've cried and I've missed him ever since, I kept going for him and for the legacy Jules was building in F1. I had to prove myself to them, and to my mom. People can say whatever they want to, and if they think they know more about strategy and power units and stuff they can apply to work in F1. I like the pressure. I think it makes me a better driver. Winning when there's no one challenging you it not my type of victory. I like being challenged, that's why I liked being Seb's teammate. He was 4 times champion of the world, he knew he was good, I knew it too, but he never backed down to a challenge.

Anna: I miss Seb. I think deep down we all miss him more than we let him see. Do you think that because of the challenges you and Max will perform better?

Charles: Max is coming for a season and a half without competition. He was winning with 15 seconds to the second place, and every time we fought wheel to wheel tha past season we talked after and it was such a thrill. Our driving style being so close makes it very possible for us to fight the way we like, so yeah, I think the pressure to perform well and the challenge to win Max will make me a better driver.

Anna: Do you have any funny story to tell us about?

Charles: I have one about you and Max. Fun fact, untill December last year Anna didn't knew how to drive. Max tried to teach her and I think that for the first time in his life he failed miserable. I remember trying to teach you how to drive and failing as well. But there's one day that is very clear in my mind. We just got back from Interlagos 2022 and we went to a small city in Sao Paulo so I could teach you and the car kept dying, so you stormed out of the car and called Seb crying, and you were crying so hard that I almost started to cry as well. We went back to Monaco, a few weeks latter Seb pulled out in front ou your house, Jenson Button as his co-pilot and they take the matters in their own hands and for a week you went out for like 5 hours and once that week was over you were a better driver than I am.

Anna: Well, asking you to teach me how to drive was a amateur mistake, you don't know how to park parallel. But yeah, Seb and JB they were excellent teachers. Thank you Seb. Thank you JB.

Charles: How did you have a drivers license if you didn't know how to drive?

Anna: Having a drivers license doesn't imply that I know how to drive, just that I've learned what to do to pass my drivers test. How do you drive a F1 car and doesn't know how to drive a manual?

Charles: I'm re learning, ok? You are the one with the eccentric taste for manual cars.

Anna: Obviously, it took me ages to learn how to reduce a gear, why would I drive an automatic if the automatic doesn't have to switch gears?

Charles: You have a point. And yet you are doing great on the automatics.

Anna: Let's move to my least favorite subject ever, personal life, people are wondering, is Charles Leclerc on the market?

Charles: *laughs* No, he is not. I'm very much out of the market, and very much in love with a beautiful and strong and smart woman and even though she's not the jealous type I not looking anywhere else.

Anna: Walk us through on how you two meet?

Charles: Yeah, it is very funny actually, we meet after Austria, 2022 but we only started to hangout after Monza last year, she's very into motorsport and formula one and a very private person, so please, let's respect that.

Anna: People on twitter are thinking that she is a ghost because we never saw her on race weekends, I'm inclined to agree with them, Charlie.

Charles: That's mean. And you have seen her on the paddock, a lot actually.

Anna: Some day, I'll be living in a big old city and all you ever gonna be is mean. God, I love Taylor Swift. But yeah, I saw her once ir twice, very nice girl, and pretty, very pretty as well.

Charles: Stop talking about yourself on third person, baby, is very weird.

Anna: Yeah, Charles, go ahead and tell the whole world our most deep secrets.

Charles: Anna... Lando and Pierre already told half of the grid and half of the grid is just pretending they don't know. We are not that subtle.

Anna: Well, okay, cat is out of the jail everyone, Charles is not single anymore, and it's not gonna be for a while. But let's go for the important topic: Taylor Swift.

Charles: Just that? Taylor Swift? What do you want me to say? *laughs*

Anna: Tell the people your favorite album and tracks. I already know them but that's my privilege.

Charles: Reputation, obviously. I like Our Song and Karma. You drive listening to them so I kinda like them too, and Champagne Problems... wow, that one hit hard and also Lover, because I am in love and ok, I like everything.

Anna: Okay, moving forward. Answer with the first thing on your mind. Favorite ice cream flavor?

Charles: Vanilla. Don't you ever think about cracking the joke I know you're thinking.

Anna: Ok. I wont. Favorite track?

Charles: Monaco. But I love Baku as well.

Anna: Interlagos?

Charles: Senna. I love Interlagos because it brings me closer to him as I could never.

Anna: Favorite movie?

Charles: The one with weddings and funerals.

Anna: Would you go out with me after we finish this one?

Charles: That depends, will you go out with me after we finish this one?

Anna: So guys that's it. Hope you have enjoyed this episode as much as we did while recording it. I think this one will be out way sooner than we expect. See you in a couple of weeks to go through the first 4 races of the season. Thank you, Charlie.

Charles: Thank you. See you guys.

*cut*

Anna: Stop tickling me or I'll call Max and asks him to blow all your medium tyres.

Charles: You could never.

Anna: Yes, I would.

Charles: Let's go, baby, I'll take you to dinner and after we can go karting with the boys.

Anna: Max is texting me so I can tell you to answer him.

Charles: Oh difficult life, my teammate likes me more than I think he would.

Anna: Don't tease him, he's lonely, he needs a girlfriend, how about we introduce him to Gia?

Charles: *hysterically laughing* Gia would crash him like a bug. Let's do it.

allaboutracing

liked by f1, maxverstappen, charles_leclerc, redbullracing, pierregasly and 324.177 others

allaboutracing and we are back!! welcome to season 3 of all about racing podcast, this season we're about to have a few special guest, we're gonna talk about all formula one related, analyze the cars, the races and the track - while i conciliate the races and the tracks on my full time job, i hope you enjoy this season as much as i did.

redbullracing full time race engineer and podcaster, well done mini.

maxverstappen1 im still waiting for my invitation

sebastianvettel well done, kid!

f1 adm is already on play with the firts episode

leclercsainz i love how she just went on and did a full podcast just for us to understand more about racing

jbuttonwdc i would love to see jenson button on the podcast

roscoeloveslewis remember when last season she said that she wanted to bring the champs for the podcast?

charles_leclerc im hoping to be on the couch as well

february 1st 2024

allaboutracing

liked by jensonbutton, sebastianvettel, lewishamilton, f1, charles_leclerc and 344.754 others

allaboutracing we are officially back. the first guests of season 3 are no more than the 2009 world champion jenson button and the 4 time champion of the world sebastian vettel. it was amazing to speak with booth of them, about racing, retirement, life and the changes that are happening in formula one. jb episode will be available on march, the 7th and seb will be available on march, 21th. hope you enjoy it.

lewishamilton great guy and than there's jenson.

sebastianvettel thank you for having me!

jensonbutton same time next week?

f1 that what we asked for

jbuttonwdc KA8SJSUQUWHAUAUHQGU IM NOT OKAY

beesebs i miss sebastian vettel more than i miss my parents and i moved away in 2017

alonsoxswift everybody moved on and i stayed here

sv5ismydad i cannot believe that she convinced seb to be on the podcast, anna youre my personal hero

february 16th 2024

picsbyanna

liked by charles_leclerc, maxverstappen1, redbullracind and 175.234 others

annazadra break is over, time to go back in track. insanely anxious to this season and very excited about the car that me, myself and i helped to build

maxverstappen1 lets hope you didnt put a shitty box with 3 weels after the little prank i pulled you

charles_leclerc lets go vroom vroom

redbullracing christian is calling you about something like "prank war"

danielricciardo i left redbull and now suddenly they have funny engineers again

comments on this post have been restricted

february 28th 2024

allaboutracing

liked by charles_leclerc, pierregasly, scuderiaferrari, maxverstappen1 and 544.766 others

allaboutracing I've listening to you guys and i brought the monegasque favorite driver to the podcast. on the next episode we will talk about charles moving to redbull, what he expects of the team and the car, how he thinks his partnership will works with max, about racing on a general but we also want to know what you want on the podcast, so send you questions, se ya next week.

maxverstappen1 how can charles be on the podcast and im not?

allaboutracing max, you are so dramatic, you and the entire team have been on the podcast so far in season one

maxverstappen1 i want to go again

danielricciardo thing you can say during sex as well

maxverstappen1 this girl is taken, stop that

charles_leclerc it was a pleasure to talk to you, you were a wonderful host.

f1 next week? please, don't do this to us 🥲

march 3th 2024

redbullracing

liked by charles_leclerc, maxverstappen1, allaboutracing, picsbyanna, lewishamilton and 877.265 others

redbullracing charles grabbed his first win with the team at the jeddah grand prix, well done charlie, we're insanely proud of you! ps: the all about racing: inside of charles leclerc mentality is out earlier to celebrate his victory, go listen to it.

picsbyanna wow, is he single?

march 10th 2024

#formula 1 #charles leclerc #formula one imagine #formula one #f1 imagine #ferrari #charles leclerc imagine #redbull era charlie #f1

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redsnowdrop · 9 months ago

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Carlos Sainz x Sportweek interview -Translated in: English, Spanish and Italian-

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English 🇬🇧

There will be no room for him in Ferrari next year.

But the Spaniard doesn't argue, he wins when he can and in the meantime he looks ahead. «It's my style, that's how they educated me. The Cavallino showed me what passion is and I helped it grow. Leaving is not my choice, but maybe there will be better things to come."

text by: GIANLUCA GASPARINI

photo by: MATTIA GUOLO

styling by: GIANLUCA ZAPPOLI

He was born in Madrid and will join Ferrari from 2021

The Spanish Ferrari driver, Carlos Sainz, 29 years old. He has been racing with the Red team since 2021 and has won three GPs in Formula 1, the last of which was a month ago in Australia.

"I smile at the future

And I want to be the best."

A man's style, because at almost thirty you are a finished man, is measured in moments of adversity. Carlos Sainz comes from an elegant Madrid family, he can boast a father who not only wrote a few pages of motoring history in rallies, but in his adventure in F.1 he never found a downhill road ahead of him. Less than three months ago Ferrari let him know that there will no longer be a place for him in 2025. He could react badly, fall into victimhood, lose himself, exaggerate to impress everyone. He did the exact opposite. Starting from the words spoken then, in February. «Hamilton in Maranello was a hard blow, I didn't expect it. I was pretty sure that I would renew the contract with the Rossa. But it will be my last year with the team and I just want to think about doing my best for the Cavallino." Honest, sincere. With style, indeed. «Style is not something you choose - he says -, it is something that largely derives from the education your family gives you, from the values you have cultivated. And that then translates into how you behave and how you do things. But I can't say I have my own particular or studied style. I just try to be natural."

What a start!

Excellent start to the season for the Spaniard in 2024, with the victory in Melbourne and two third places in Bahrain and Japan.

At the moment you are going faster than your teammate Charles Leclerc, and this has also given rise to some doubts and regrets among the Red fans. Do you think you still have room for growth as a driver?

«For me, all the years in F.1 can offer the opportunity to progress. With each season that passes I feel like a better rider and it's also clear that over time you have experiences that make you grow as a rider and as a person, let's say that I continually make progress on both fronts."

For next year you are in the sights of several top teams, starting with Mercedes. But there was also talk of Red Bull. Does this interest make you feel good, after a difficult and delicate season's eve?

"Yes I'd like that. In reality, I am already part of a top team like Ferrari, and doing well here as I am actually doing makes the others keep an eye on you. In the end it's what I've always wanted as a driver, that is, to be considered a good name to occupy the best seats in F.1. And frankly I hope it goes like this for many years to come."

Identikit Carlos Sainz

Family tradition, he races in F.1 since 2015

Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro was born in Madrid (Spa) on September 1st 1994. Son of the two-time rally world champion Carlos Sr, he grew up in karting before moving on to Formula BMW, then Renault and GP3. His debut in Formula 1 was in 2015, in Australia, with Toro Rosso, where he remained until October 2017, when he moved to Renault. The 2019-2020 two-year period was at McLaren, where he achieved the first two podiums of his career: third in Brazil in the first season and second in Monza in the following one.

Since 2021 he has been at Ferrari. In red he scored his first pole and his first victory at Silverstone in 2022. The other two successes came in Singapore last year and in Australia a month ago. For him, overall 21 podiums in 187 Grands Prix.

«For 2025, seeing how I'm going, I would like a competitive single-seater. I'm happy to be in the crosshairs of several top team"

Finding an agreement with a new team could take a long time: is it a thought? Can it affect your performance in any way?

«All options are open, but it takes time to reach similar decisions. Little has happened in recent weeks, from this point of view, but this doesn't affect the way I race, my work on the track. Choosing takes time for everyone. They often ask me whether it is better to think about next year or the long term when deciding. I think it depends on what they offer you. As a driver you always look at the option that the fastest single-seater presents to you, because you think that in that way you can achieve podiums and victories like I'm doing this year. But the possibilities in the medium term are also interesting, considering the change in regulations in 2026. Each side of the coin has pluses and minuses, but the best thing is that today all options remain open."

You don’t seem worried

"No. I smile thinking about the future even if what will happen does not depend solely on me. I just have to wait for it and do my job well. If it takes time, that's fine. Also because, in light of the regulatory change in 2026, it is almost impossible to know who will go fastest. And so the decisions also depend on what the teams "sell" you, but no one has a real idea. For 2025, given how I'm going, I would like a competitive single-seater... in any case the situation doesn't disturb me: I know how to keep the track and the questions from journalists and fans about the future divided. When you run, run. I've been in F.1 for 10 years, I know how to manage my weekends."

How much has competing for Ferrari changed you, on a human level?

«He introduced me to the passion that people can have for a team, and you only see this if you race with the Cavallino and are surrounded by the Red fans. You don't feel a warmth like this in other teams. Humanly I was involved and this affects you, it has an influence on you. I heard it."

Hamilton and Leclerc are great fashion lovers. Do you like it also?

«Fashion is not something that occupies my mind in my free time, it depends a bit on how I feel day by day or on the phase I go through in my life. With the change in age I adapt in the way I dress, but it doesn't come naturally to me to think and research what I wear. I understand those who make it a passion, but it doesn't change my life."

What style do you follow in dressing? Do you buy what you wear or do you have someone who makes it for you? And when you were a boy did you choose on your own or did your mother take care of it? Have you ever argued about how you dressed?

«I almost never buy. When it happens it's because I go with my girlfriend (Rebecca Donaldson, Scottish model; ed.), my sisters (she has two, Ana and Blanca; ed.) or my mother. It has never happened to me that I am somewhere, in a hotel or at home, ® telling myself: "Now I'm going shopping". The idea never comes to me. It always has to come from someone else and this already shows that it is not my priority. Then I get dressed too, of course. And the style I like to follow is classic, elegant and traditional.

I feel comfortable and at ease. Until I was 20-25, all my clothes were bought by my mother, sisters or girlfriends of the time. And I never argued about it because I accepted everything they said, I didn't have an opinion...".

You are very close to his father, whom you have always admired but without avoiding some clashes: what relationship do you have now and how much does it matter for your career?

«When we are young, we all have moments of disagreement with our parents. It is part of the normal dynamic between father and son and there is an age in which you continually express a different opinion regardless, for bias, there is a period of your life when it seems like you do it on purpose. That age has now passed, but I remember that I liked arguing with him, even clashing, but with education and respect.

There was never a really bad moment when we called each other bad words. Dad always raised me to respect everyone. Now we have an incredible, very beautiful relationship. He taught me everything I know in life, in the end I feel privileged to be able to enjoy such a strong bond with him and to be able to have such an important person in my life close to me."

Who inspired you while growing up? Both in the sporting world and outside of sport.

«My father always used it as a reference

Rafa Nadal. And I really like it too, for the competitive spirit and the respect with which he does things. With clarity and a shape that says everything about him. In turn, I want to be the best on the track but also off it." What do you like to do away from the circuits?

«I am a very sporty person, my hobbies are mainly linked to that. I have always practiced golf, padel, skiing, now a lot of cycling, for training but also because I enjoy it. And in my free time I follow a lot of sports on TV."

«Nadal has always been my father's legend and he has become mine»

Hobby? Only sport: golf, skiing, padel and lots of cycling, for training and because I enjoy it"

Madrid, your city, is full of beautiful museums. Do you go there every now and then? Do you like art?

«I'm honest: no, I'm not going. I made all the visits when I was 13,014 years old with school and practically my attendance at museums ended there. But if someone sits down to explain it to me, even better: art interests me. But going alone to watch an exhibition, I don't do that. And it's curious because if someone talks to me about a work of art, why it's made that way, about its history, I like it and I enjoy it."

And in Ferrari from 2021, leaving at the end of the year will not be easy.

«I have mixed feelings. The three seasons spent in Maranello, of hard work, living there, with time spent in the factory, helped the team progress. Now we are starting to see the growth of the project, the single-seater is better and I have confidence in driving it after it has "implemented" all the indications given in the past. It makes me feel happy for this year and at the same time sad that we won't continue the journey together. Somehow we have recently taken the right path for the future, and it shows on the track. But it's life, it's the way life decided it should go. It wasn't my decision, but maybe there will be better things to come. When I look at the past, at the choices I made by leaving Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren, I see that everything makes sense. Maybe in a little while I'll look back and figure out whether to leave paid".

There are still 20 GPs to go: what do you dream will happen for you and for Ferrari between now and the end of the season?

“More victories, more podiums and see where it takes us.”

Italiano 🇮🇹

In Ferrari non ci sarà più spazio per lui il prossimo anno.

Ma lo spagnolo non polemizza, quando può vince e intanto guarda avanti. «E il mio stile, così mi hanno educato. Il Cavallino mi ha fatto conoscere cos'è la passione e io l'ho aiutato a crescere. Andare via non è una mia scelta, ma magari ci sarà di meglio in arrivo»

testo di: GIANLUCA GASPARINI

foto di: MATTIA GUOLO

styling di: GIANLUCA ZAPPOLI

E nato a Madrid, dal 2021 in Ferrari

Il pilota spagnolo della Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, 29 anni. Corre con la Rossa dal 2021 e in Formula 1 ha vinto tre GP, l'ultimo dei quali un mese fa, in Australia.

"Sorrido al futuro

E voglio essere il migliore”

Lo stile di un uomo, perché a quasi trent'anni sei un uomo fatto e finito, si misura nei momenti di avversità. Carlos Sainz viene da una famiglia madrilena elegante, può vantare un padre che nei rally e non solo ha scritto qualche pagina di storia dell'automobilismo, ma nella sua avventura in F.1 non ha mai trovato davanti a sé la strada in discesa. Meno di tre mesi fa la Ferrari gli ha fatto sapere che nel 2025 per lui non ci sarà più posto. Poteva reagire male, cadere nel vittimismo, perdersi, esagerare per impressionare tutti. Ha fatto l'esatto contrario. A partire dalle parole pronunciate allora, a febbraio. «Hamilton a Maranello è stato un duro colpo, non me lo aspettavo. Ero abbastanza sicuro che avrei rinnovato il contratto con la Rossa. Ma sarà il mio ultimo anno con la squadra e voglio solo pensare a fare il massimo per il Cavallino». Onesto, sincero. Con stile, appunto. «Lo stile non è qualcosa che scegli - racconta -, è qualcosa che deriva per gran parte dall'educazione che ti da la famiglia, dai valori che hai coltivato. E quello si traduce poi nel modo in cui ti comporti e in come fai le cose. Ma non posso dire di avere uno stile mio, particolare o studiato. Cerco solo di essere naturale».

Che inizio!

Per lo spagnolo eccellente partenza di stagione, in questo 2024, con la vittoria di Melbourne e due terzi posti, in Bahrain e in Giappone.

In questo momento sta andando più forte del suo compagno Charles Leclerc, e la cosa ha fatto nascere anche qualche dubbio e rimpianto nei tifosi della Rossa. Pensa di avere ancora margini di crescita come pilota?

«Per me tutti gli anni in F.1 possono offrire la possibilità di progredire. Ad ogni stagione che passa mi sento un pilota migliore e in più è chiaro che con il tempo vivi esperienze che ti fanno crescere come pilota e come persona, diciamo che faccio continui passi avanti su entrambi i fronti».

Per l'anno prossimo è nel mirino di diversi top team, a partire dalla Mercedes. Ma si è parlato anche di Red Bull. La fa star bene questo interesse, dopo una vigilia di stagione difficile e delicata?

«Sì, mi fa piacere. In realtà sono già parte di un team di vertice come la Ferrari, e far bene qui come in effetti sto facendo porta gli altri a tenerti d'occhio. Alla fine è quello che come pilota ho sempre desiderato, cioè essere considerato un nome buono per occupare i sedili migliori in F.1. E francamente spero che vada così per tanti anni ancora».

Identikit: Carlos Sainz

Figlio d'arte, corre in F.1 dal 2015

Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro è nato a Madrid (Spa) l'1 settembre 1994. Figlio del due volte iridato rally Carlos Sr, cresce nei kart prima di passare in Formula Bmw, quindi Renault e GP3. Il debutto in Formula 1 è del 2015, in Australia, con la Toro Rosso, dove resta fino all'ottobre 2017, quando passa in Renault. Il biennio 2019-2020 è in McLaren, dove conquista i primi due podi in carriera: terzo in Brasile nella prima stagionee secondo a Monza in quella successiva. Dal 2021 è alla Ferrari. In rosso centra a prima pole e la prima vittoria a Silverstone, nel 2022. Gli altri due successi sono arrivati a Singapore l'anno scorso e in Australia, un mese fa. Per lui, complessivamente 21 podi in 187 Gran Premi.

«Per il 2025, visto come sto andando,

vorrei una monoposto competitiva.

Sono felice di essere nel mirino di diversi

top team»

Trovare l'accordo con una nuova squadra potrebbe andare per le lunghe: è un pensiero? Può condizionare le sue prestazioni in qualche modo?

«Tutte le opzioni sono aperte, ma serve tempo per arrivare a prendere decisioni simili. Nelle ultime settimane è successo poco, da questo punto di vista, ma questo non incide sul modo in cui corro, sul mio lavoro in pista. Scegliere richiede tempo per tutti. Spesso mi chiedono se nel decidere sia meglio pensare all'anno prossimo o al lungo periodo. Credo dipenda da cosa ti offrono. Come pilota guardi sempre all'opzione che ti presenta la monoposto più velo-ce, perché pensi che in quel modo puoi conquistare podi e vittorie come sto facendo quest'anno. Ma sono interessanti anche le possibilità nel medio periodo, considerato il cambio di regolamenti del 2026. Ogni faccia della medaglia ha dei più e dei meno, ma la cosa migliore è che oggi come oggi tutte le opzioni restano aperte».

Quarto in classifica

In classifica, Sainz e quarto con 69 punt preceduto dal compagno Charles Leclerc (76) Primo è Verstappen (110), secondo Perez (85)

Non sembra preoccupato

«No. Sorrido pensando al futuro anche se cosa succederà non dipende unicamente da me. Io devo solo aspettaree far bene il mio mestiere. Se poi servirà tempo, va comunque bene. Anche perché, alla luce del cambio regolamenta re nel 2026, è quasi impossibile sapere chi andrà più forte. E così le decisioni dipendono anche da cosa ti "vendono" le squadre, ma nessuno ha un'idea ve-ra. Per il 2025, visto come sto andando, vorrei una monoposto competitiva... n ogni caso la situazione non mi distur-ba: so come tenere divise la pista e le domande dei giornalisti e dei tifosi sul futuro. Quando corri, corri. Sono da 10 anni in F.1, so come gestire i miei fine settimana».

«La moda mi interessa poco, non compro quasi mai nulla, ci hanno sempre pensato mia mamma, le mie sorelle, la fidanzata. Amo la comodità»

Quanto l'ha cambiata, umanamente, gareggiare per la Ferrari?

«Mi ha fatto conoscere la passione che può avere la gente per una scuderia, e questo lo vedi solo se corri con il Cavallino e sei circondato dai tifosi della Rossa.

Un calore così non lo senti in altre squa-dre. Umanamente sono rimasto coinvolto e questo ti tocca, ha influenza su di te. Io l'ho sentito».

Hamilton e Leclerc sono grandi amanti della moda. A lei piace?

«La moda non è qualcosa che occupa la mia mente nel tempo libero, dipende un po' da come mi sento giorno per giorno o dalla fase che attraverso nella mia vita. Con il cambiamento di età mi adatto nel modo di vestire, ma non mi Viene naturale pensare e ricercare cosa indosso. Capisco quelli che ne fanno una passione, ma a me non cambia la vita».

Che stile segue nel vestire? Compra lei quello che indossa o ha qualcuno che lo fa per lei? E quando era ragazzo sce glieva da solo o ci pensava sua mamma?Avete mai litigato per come si vestiva?

«Comprare non compro quasi mai. Quando succede è perché vado con la mia ragazza (Rebecca Donaldson, modella scozzese; ndr), le mie sorelle (ne ha due, Ana e Blanca; ndr) o mia madre. Non mi è mai successo di essere da qualche parte, in un hotel o a casa, ® dirmi: "Adesso vado a fare shopping"

L'idea non viene mai da me. Deve sempre arrivare da qualcun altro e già questo dimostra che non è una mia priorità. Poi mi vesto anch'io, certo. E lo stile che mi piace seguire è classico, elegante e tradizionale. Mi sento comodo e a mio agio. Fino a 20-25 anni tutti i miei vestiti li compravano mamma, le sorelle o le fidanzate del periodo. E non ci ho mai litigato perché accettavo tutto quello che dicevano, non avevo un'opinione...».

È molto legato a suo padre, che ha sempre ammirato ma senza evitare qualche scontro: che rapporto avete adesso e quanto conta per la sua carriera?

«Tutti, quando siamo giovani, abbiamo momenti di disaccordo con i genitori.Fa parte della normale dinamica tra padre e figlio e c'è un'età in cui esprimi continuamente un'opinione diversa a prescindere, per partito preso, c'è un periodo della tua vita in cui sembra tu lo faccia apposta. Quell'età adesso è passata, ma ricordo che mi piaceva discutere con lui, anche scontrarmi, però con educazione e rispetto. Non c'è mai stato un momento davvero brutto in cui ci siamo presi a male parole Papà mi ha sempre educato a rispettare tutti. Adesso abbiamo un rapporto incredibile, molto bello. Mi ha insegnato tutto quello che so nella vita, alla fine mi sento privilegiato nel poter godere di un legame così forte con lui e poter avere vicino una persona così importante nella vita».

Chi l'ha ispirata mentre cresceva? Sia nel mondo sportivo sia fuori dallo sport.

«Mio padre ha sempre utilizzato come riferimento Rafa Nadal. E anche a me piace molto, per lo spirito competitivo e per il rispetto con cui fa le cose. Con chiarezza e una forma che dice tutto di lui. A mia volta, voglio essere il migliore in pista ma anche fuori».

Cosa le piace fare lontano dai circuiti?

«Sono una persona molto sportiva, i miei hobby sono legati soprattutto a quello. Pratico da sempre golf, padel, sci, adesso tanta bicicletta, per allenamento ma anche perché mi diverte. E nel tempo libero seguo un sacco di sport in tv».

«Nadal è sempre stato il mito di mio padre ed è diventato il mio.

Hobby? Solo sport: golf, sci, padel e tanta bici, per allenamento e perché mi diverte»

Madrid, la sua città, è piena di musei bellissimi. Ci va ogni tanto? L’arte le piace?

«Sono sincero: no, non ci vado. Tutte le visite le ho fatte quando avevo 13 014 anni con la scuola e praticamente la mia frequentazione di musei è finita li. Però se qualcuno si siede a spiegarmela, me-glio: l'arte mi interessa. Ma andare io da solo, a guardare una mostra, questo non lo faccio. Ed è curioso perché se poi uno mi parla di un'opera d'arte, del perché è fatta in quel modo, della sua storia, mi piace e mi diverte».

È in Ferrari dal 2021, andarsene a fine anno non sarà facile.

«Provo sentimenti contrastanti. Le tre stagioni passate a Maranello, di duro lavoro, vivendo lì, con il tempo speso in fabbrica, hanno aiutato il team a progredire. Adesso inizia a vedersi la crescita del progetto, la monoposto è migliore e mi fido nel guidarla dopo che ha "recepito" tutte le indicazioni date in passato. Mi fa sentire felice per quest'anno e allo stesso tempo triste perché non continueremo il viaggio insieme. In qualche modo abbiamo imboccato da poco la strada giusta per il futuro, e in pista si vede. Ma è la vita, è il modo in cui la vita ha deciso che doveva andare. Non è stata una mia decisione, ma magari ci sarà di meglio in arrivo. Quando guardo al passato, alle scelte che ho fatto andando via dalla Toro Rosso, dalla Renault, dalla McLaren, vedo che tutto ha un senso. Magari tra un po' di tempo mi girerò indietro e capirò se andarsene ha pagato».

Ci sono ancora 20 GP da correre: cosa sogna che succeda, per lei e per la Fer-rari, da qui a fine stagione?

«Più vittorie, più podi e vedere dove ci porta».

Español 🇪🇸

No habrá lugar para él en Ferrari el año que viene.

Pero el español no discute, gana cuando puede y mientras tanto mira hacia adelante. «Es mi estilo, así me educaron. El Cavallino me mostró lo que es la pasión y la ayudé a crecer. Irme no es mi elección, pero tal vez vengan cosas mejores".

texto de: GIANLUCA GASPARINI

foto de: MATTIA GUOLO

Diseño de: GIANLUCA ZAPPOLI

nacido en Madrid, desde 2021 en Ferrari

El piloto español de Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, 29 años. Corre con el equipo Rojo desde 2021 y ha ganado tres Grandes Premios de Fórmula 1, el último de ellos hace un mes en Australia.

"Le sonrío al futuro

Y quiero ser el mejor".

El estilo de un hombre, porque con casi treinta años eres un hombre acabado, se mide en los momentos de adversidad. Carlos Sainz proviene de una elegante familia madrileña, puede presumir de un padre que no sólo escribió algunas páginas de historia del motor en los rallyes, sino que en su aventura en la F.1 nunca encontró un camino cuesta abajo por delante. Hace menos de tres meses Ferrari le hizo saber que ya no habrá plaza para él en 2025. Podría reaccionar mal, caer en el victimismo, perderse, exagerar para impresionar a todos. Hizo exactamente lo contrario. A partir de las palabras pronunciadas entonces, en febrero. «Hamilton en Maranello fue un golpe duro, no me lo esperaba. Estaba bastante seguro de que renovaría el contrato con la Rossa. Pero será mi último año con el equipo y sólo quiero pensar en dar lo mejor de mí para el Cavallino". Honesto, sincero. Con estilo, por cierto. «El estilo no es algo que eliges - afirma -, es algo que deriva en gran medida de la educación que te da tu familia, de los valores que has cultivado. Y eso luego se traduce en cómo te comportas y cómo haces las cosas. Pero no puedo decir que tenga un estilo propio, particular o estudiado. Sólo trato de ser natural"

¡Qué comienzo!

Excelente inicio de temporada para el español en 2024, con la victoria en Melbourne y dos terceros puestos en Bahréin y Japón.

De momento va más rápido que su compañero Charles Leclerc, y esto también generó algunas dudas y lamentos entre la afición roja. ¿Cree que todavía tiene margen de crecimiento como impulsor?

«Para mí, todos los años en la F.1 pueden ofrecer la oportunidad de progresar. Cada temporada que pasa me siento mejor piloto y también está claro que con el tiempo vas teniendo experiencias que te hacen crecer como piloto y como persona, digamos que continuamente avanzo en ambos frentes”.

Para el próximo año está en la mira de varios equipos top, empezando por Mercedes. Pero también se habló de Red Bull. ¿Este interés te hace sentir bien, después de un final de temporada difícil y delicado?

"Sí, me gustaría eso. En realidad, ya formo parte de un equipo de primer nivel como Ferrari, y hacerlo bien aquí como lo estoy haciendo realmente hace que los demás te vigilen. Al final es lo que siempre he querido como piloto, es decir, ser considerado un buen nombre para ocupar los mejores asientos de la F.1. Y, francamente, espero que siga así durante muchos años más".

Identikit Carlos Sainz

Tradición familiar, él corre en F.1 desde 2015

Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro Nació en Madrid (Spa) el 1 de septiembre. 1994. Hijo del dos veces campeón del mundo de rallyes Carlos Sr, creció en el karting antes de pasar a la Fórmula BMW, luego a Renault y a la GP3. Su debut en la Fórmula 1 fue en 2015, en Australia, con Toro Rosso, donde permaneció hasta octubre 2017, cuando se mudó a Renault. El bienio 2019-2020 fue en McLaren, donde logró los dos primeros podios de su carrera: tercero en Brasil en la primera temporada y segundo en Monza en la siguiente. Desde 2021 está en Ferrari. De rojo consiguió su primera pole y su primera victoria en Silverstone en 2022. Los otros dos éxitos llegaron en Singapur el año pasado y en Australia hace un mes. Para él, en general 21 podios en 187 Grandes Premios.

«Para 2025, viendo cómo voy, Me gustaría un monoplaza competitivo. Estoy feliz de estar en la mira de varios el mejor equipo"

Llegar a un acuerdo con un nuevo equipo podría llevar mucho tiempo: ¿es una idea? ¿Puede afectar su desempeño de alguna manera?

«Todas las opciones están abiertas, pero se necesita tiempo para llegar a decisiones similares. Desde este punto de vista, poco ha sucedido en las últimas semanas, pero esto no afecta mi forma de correr, mi trabajo en la pista. Elegir requiere tiempo para todos. A menudo me preguntan si es mejor pensar en el año que viene o en el largo plazo a la hora de decidir.

Creo que depende de lo que te ofrezcan. Como piloto siempre miras la opción que te presenta el monoplaza más rápido, porque piensas que así puedes conseguir podios y victorias como estoy haciendo yo este año. Pero las posibilidades a medio plazo también son interesantes, dado el cambio de normativa 2026. Cada cara de la moneda tiene más y menos, pero lo mejor es que hoy todas las opciones siguen abiertas."

No parece preocupado

"No. Sonrío pensando en el futuro aunque lo que pasará no dependa únicamente de mí. Sólo tengo que esperar y hacer bien mi trabajo. Si lleva tiempo, está bien. También porque, ante el cambio regulatorio de 2026, es casi imposible saber quién irá más rápido. Y entonces las decisiones también dependen de lo que te "venden" los equipos, pero nadie tiene una idea real. Para 2025, tal como voy, me gustaría un monoplaza competitivo... en cualquier caso la situación no me inquieta: sé mantener divididas la pista y las preguntas de periodistas y aficionados sobre el futuro. . Cuando corras, corre. Llevo 10 años en la F.1 y sé cómo gestionar mis fines de semana".

«La moda me interesa poco, no compro casi nunca nada, mi madre, mis hermanas, mi novia siempre se encargaban de ello. Amo la comodidad"

¿Cuánto te ha cambiado a nivel humano competir para Ferrari?

«Él me presentó la pasión que la gente puede tener por un equipo, y esto sólo se ve si corres con el Cavallino y estás rodeado de la afición Roja. No se siente una calidez así en otros equipos. Humanamente estuve involucrado y esto te afecta, te influye. Lo escuché."

Hamilton y Leclerc son grandes amantes de la moda. ¿A usted le gusta?

«La moda no es algo que ocupe mi mente en mi tiempo libre, depende un poco de cómo me siento día a día o de la etapa que atravieso en mi vida. Con el cambio de edad me adapto en mi forma de vestir, pero no me resulta natural pensar e investigar qué me pongo. Entiendo a quienes hacen de esto una pasión, pero eso no cambia mi vida".

¿Qué estilo sigues al vestir? ¿Compra lo que usa o tiene alguien que se lo haga? ¿Y cuando era niño eligió él solo o se encargó su madre?

¿Alguna vez habéis discutido sobre cómo vestía?

«Casi nunca compro. Cuando pasa es porque voy con mi novia (Rebecca Donaldson, modelo escocesa; ed.), mis hermanas (tiene dos, Ana y Blanca; ed.) o mi madre. Nunca me ha pasado que estuviera en algún lugar, en un hotel o en mi casa, ® diciéndome: “ahora voy de compras” La idea nunca se me ocurre. Siempre tiene que venir de otra persona y eso solo demuestra que no es mi prioridad. Luego yo también me visto, claro. Y el estilo que me gusta seguir es el clásico, elegante y tradicional. Me siento cómodo y a gusto. Hasta los 20-25 toda mi ropa la compraba mi madre, hermanas o novias de la época. Y nunca discutí por eso porque aceptaba todo lo que decían, no tenía opinión...".

Es muy cercano a su padre, al que siempre ha admirado pero sin evitar algunos enfrentamientos: ¿qué relación tienes ahora y qué importancia tiene para su carrera?

«Cuando somos jóvenes, todos tenemos momentos de desacuerdo con nuestros padres. Es parte de la dinámica normal entre padre e hijo y hay una edad en la que continuamente expresas una opinión diferente independientemente, por prejuicios, hay un período de tu vida en el que parece que lo haces a propósito. Esa edad ya pasó, pero recuerdo que me gustaba discutir con él, incluso chocar, pero con educación y respeto. Nunca hubo un mal momento en el que nos dijéramos malas palabras. Papá siempre me crió para que respetara a todos. Ahora tenemos una relación increíble, muy hermosa. Él me enseñó todo lo que sé en la vida, al final me siento un privilegiado de poder disfrutar de un vínculo tan fuerte con él y poder tener cerca de mí a una persona tan importante en mi vida."

¿Quién te inspiró mientras crecías? Tanto en el mundo deportivo como fuera del deporte.

«Mi padre siempre usó a Rafa Nadal como referente. Y me gusta mucho también, por el espíritu competitivo y el respeto con el que hace las cosas. Con claridad y una forma que dice todo de él. A mi vez, quiero ser el mejor dentro de la pista pero también fuera de ella".

¿Qué te gusta hacer fuera de los circuitos?

«Soy una persona muy deportista, mis aficiones están ligadas principalmente a eso. Siempre he practicado golf, pádel, esquí, ahora mucho ciclismo, para entrenar pero también porque lo disfruto. Y en mi tiempo libre sigo muchos deportes en la televisión".

«Nadal siempre ha sido la leyenda de mi padre y se ha convertido en la mía.

¿Pasatiempo? Sólo deporte: golf, esquí, pádel y mucho ciclismo, para entrenar y porque lo disfruto”

Madrid, su ciudad, está llena de preciosos museos. ¿Vas allí de vez en cuando? ¿Te gusta el arte?

«Te soy sincera: no, no voy. Todas las visitas las hice cuando tenía 13.014 años con el colegio y prácticamente ahí acabó mi asistencia a los museos. Pero si alguien se sienta a explicármelo, mejor aún: me interesa el arte. Pero ir solo a ver una exposición no lo hago. Y es curioso porque si alguien me habla de una obra de arte, de por qué está hecha así, de su historia, me gusta y la disfruto."

Lleva en Ferrari desde 2021, marcharse a final de año no será fácil.

«Tengo sentimientos encontrados. Las tres temporadas pasadas en Maranello, de duro trabajo, de vivir allí, con el tiempo pasado en la fábrica, ayudaron al equipo a progresar. Ahora empezamos a ver el crecimiento del proyecto, el monoplaza es mejor y tengo confianza en conducirlo después de haber "implementado" todas las indicaciones dadas en el pasado. Me hace sentir feliz por este año y al mismo tiempo triste porque no continuaremos el viaje juntos. De alguna manera, recientemente hemos tomado el camino correcto para el futuro, y eso se nota en la pista. Pero así es la vida, así es como la vida decidió que debía ser. No fue mi decisión, pero tal vez vengan cosas mejores. Cuando miro al pasado, a las decisiones que tomé al dejar Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren, veo que todo tiene sentido. Tal vez dentro de un tiempo mire atrás y comprenda si marcharme valió la pena".

Aún quedan 20 grandes premios: ¿qué sueñas que sucederá para ti y para Ferrari de aquí al final de la temporada?

"Más victorias, más podios y veremos adónde nos lleva".

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