#seb retiring changes nothing about how i feel about him?

[andthebubbles]

well i’m glad that’s over

[merchelsea]

just maybe - lewis hamilton

pairing: ex!lewis hamilton x fem!reader

summary: lewis misses what you used to be, and what a better way to show it than showing up, drunk, at your house?

author’s note: felt like writing lewis today because not enough people do!

word count: 1,1k

you lay on your couch, your phone in hand, mindlessly scrolling through your Instagram feed for what felt like the thousandth time that day. you knew there wouldn't be anything new, but you couldn't help yourself. you had been in the same position all day, unable to shake off the melancholy that had settled over you.

it had all started because you wanted to watch a romantic movie, a harmless way to pass the time. but as the movie played on, you found yourself crying, wishing desperately for a happy ending like the one onscreen. you and lewis used to have those moments, those beautiful moments that now only existed in your memories.

every scene in the movie triggered a bittersweet memory. they weren't sad memories, per se, but the fact that they were over made them so. you decided it was time to stop torturing yourself, to stop watching movies that made you cry over your ex, and to simply wait for something to happen. but, of course, nothing did.

that is, until you heard a series of knocks on your door. you rushed to answer it, expecting it to be a friend or maybe your sister. but when you laid eyes on the familiar brown ones you had been crying over just hours ago, shock coursed through you.

"heeeeey," lewis slurred, clearly intoxicated. fate seemed to be playing a cruel prank on you.

you stared at him for a few moments before finally finding your voice. "what the heck are you doing here?" you asked, blocking his path from entering your home.

lewis smirked knowingly. "oh, didn't seb warn you?" he said, referring to his friend vettel, who must have sent you a message the moment he knew lewis was drunk and thinking about you.

because that's what happened when he got drunk. he'd think back to your relationship and regret every detail that had gone wrong. vettel always thought lewis would try to contact you, but he never had the courage to do it—until today.

lewis had qualified third in a race after a series of unfortunate events, finally giving him a shot at victory. but, unpredictably, he had to retire from the race on the first lap.

"I missed you." lewis confessed, leaning against your doorframe as if aware of how powerful those words were.

"you don't know what you're saying, lewis," you sighed. you had spent the last seven months dreaming of hearing those words from him, but this was not how you imagined it.

"oh, I know exactly what I'm saying. believe me," he insisted.

"you're drunk!" you retorted.

"and? that doesn't change the fact that I think about you all the time. about us. about what we used to be," he said, refusing to give up.

you stood there silently, thinking he would back off if you didn't give him a hint of what you were feeling. but of course he had other plans. you sighed and stepped back from the door, allowing lewis to enter. he leaned against the closed door, and you couldn't tear your eyes away from his.

"I miss you when I'm at the simulator, and you're not there to beat my ass. I miss you when I go to lunch and forget to eat because I'm distracted by your smile. I miss you when toto speaks german, and we don't make jokes about it. I miss you when I'm walking, and our legs aren't in sync. I miss you when I wear my hats, and you're not there to steal them. I miss you when I see a cat on the streets, and you don't try to convince me to adopt it. I miss you when Max wins, and you're not there to congratulate him."

you were rendered speechless. every word he uttered, as he gazed deeply into your eyes, pierced your heart. you couldn't look away, but you feared that if you continued to stare, you wouldn't be able to let him go.

"I know I seem drunk, but this is the most truthful thing I've said in, like, forever. it's been almost eight months, and I still miss you in everything I do," he finally stood up and, somehow, managed to get closer to you. "tell me you don't miss me, and I'll never bother you again."

you took a deep breath and locked eyes with him. it was clear he had been drinking, but not enough to make him drunk. his little play could fool everyone, but it would never fool you.

you knew you missed him with every fiber of your being, but you weren't sure if it was the right thing to say. maybe, just maybe, he needed to move on, to find someone else who fit into his life.

but then, a voice inside your head reminded you that if he hadn't moved on after seven months without any contact, he probably wouldn't after eight. you couldn't lie to him when he had been missing you relentlessly for seven months.

"I miss you when I'm doing laundry, and I don't find your shirt in the wrong basket. I miss you when I'm taking a shower and don't hear the pre-qualifying comments. I miss you when I see a Mercedes on the road. I miss you when I play uno with my friends, and you don't win. I miss you when you're racing, and I'm at home, but not because I have things to do. I miss you when I'm not missing you because of racing."

you also took a step closer to him. "then let me make you miss me the right way again, please."

as you stood there, locked in a moment of intense longing and emotion, you realized that maybe, just maybe, this was the moment you had been waiting for. lewis had come back, admitting his feelings, and you couldn't deny your own.

with tears welling up in your eyes, you took another step closer to him. in that moment, you both understood that some things were too strong to be denied or forgotten, no matter how much time had passed.

you whispered softly, "lewis, I'll miss you no matter what, so please make me miss you the right way."

lewis' eyes lit up with hope and joy, and he gently pulled you into his arms. as you embraced, you both knew that this was a chance to have a fresh start, to rebuild what you once had. it wouldn't be easy, and there were still obstacles to overcome, but you were both willing to try.

in that moment, as you held each other tightly, you realized that sometimes, fate had a way of bringing people back together, even when it seemed impossible. and maybe, just maybe, this was the happy ending you had been longing for all along.

[everythingne]

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ ➛ looking in a mirror, riptide (op81)

last installment / series masterlist

mark and sebastian have vastly different ideas for how the strategy should go for bahrain. oscar has a mini victory, daisy struggles to adjust from f2 and people learn her politeness is more of a facade than anything.

warnings/notes: hate comments, no injury accidents, lance stroll being bitchy, this took so long to get out i apologize. i changed yns faceclaim to cecilia chancez

Mark and Sebastian had been behaving for the most part. Porsche was using them as trainers alongside the rest of their staff, and so far it had been smooth sailing. Mark was good at keeping to a regimented plan, keeping both drivers with strict meal plans, workout schedules, and media duties, while Sebastian did more of the experimental work. The car had come along beautifully, the uniforms were gorgeous, and everything was sleek and ready to go.

And then it came to team strategy.

It was a bit of a bicker point for the two retired drivers, and while it was clear you had a big strength with overtaking while Oscar had a bigger strength on defense, it was often bickered about who should do what.

The plan for Bahrain, excluding all the minute details, is mostly for you to lead with Oscar defending you from behind. The two of you are to stick together like a pack, trying not to get seperated. It's clear Mark doesn't want Oscar to get pushed to a second drivers position either, not that the younger Aussie minds it, but knows you have a better chance of shooting ahead with overtaking last moment, so it's a weird balance back and forth for Mark alone. Add Sebastian in and it’s a whole mess.

Arriving in Bahrain, you and Oscar are ushered to the hotel to drop your stuff and then immediately to the paddocks. Its been a mix of dread and excitement for the whole eight hour flight, and Oscar's easy to talk to about it. Hence why you both buckle down in your drivers room, snacking and laying back.

"I still haven't spoken to Rhys about the swap." You admit when Oscar asks, causing him to hum as he leans back against the wall he's sitting against while you stretch against the opposite wall.

"I mean, you haven't really been home. We've practically lived in the garage for weeks." Oscar shrugs, "my sisters are getting real impatient with me not answering them, I imagine with Rhys being just as busy its hard."

"And now he's in a new time zone too. It's so weird." You huff, lowering the bar you've been using to stretch out your shoulders and neck absentmindedly while Oscar rolls his wrists out on one of the small pediatric balls you've been given.

And as deadpan as usual, he says, "It'll come up this weekend, probably. Are you still angry about it?"

You shrug. It's a betrayal, for sure. You'd both promised to always stick together, but here you were... left behind. Like all baby sisters were eventually. On the other hand, you understand his desire to chase what may give him the best chance at a strong future. No other team had offered you a contract, but McLaren wanted Rhys. So it made sense to you.

"Being conflicted is better than just hating him, y'know." Sebastian's voice chimes and you turn to the German who smiles softly, welcoming himself in. Not that you or Oscar will complain.

"I don't hate him, I don't think I can." You shrug, handing Oscar the pipe for his shoulders when he asks for it softly. Sebastian just nods, its not like he's told you that Rhys was chasing money rather than a dream.

"Twenty minutes to media," Mark steps in too, giving Sebastian a soft smile and nod in greeting before turning to you and Oscar, "How are you guys feeling?"

"Fine," Oscar hums, "same old, same old."

"A bit nervous." You admit and Seb leans over to nudge you while Mark gives you a sympathetic smile, but allows your strategist to give you a pep talk while he kneels down to talk with Oscar.

"Ay, it's not nothing you haven't already done." Sebastian leans on the wall near you as you stretch a bit, "Just go slow, and we'll be nearby if you need to like get out of a weird situation."

"Its not weird shit I'm worried about, its Rhys." You huff, leaning to pop your head on Sebastian's shoulder, "you know how he gets, and I don't want media getting any crazy ideas that we like.. hate each other or something."

"Do you hate Rhys?"

"I... I'm fucking pissed and right now, in this moment, I hate him a little bit."

Sebastian nods and wraps an arm around you, shrugging as he says, "You think after everything I did, I didn't hate at least one person in the moment? Hell no, it used to be impossible to put Mark and I in a room together."

Mark laughs at that, but nods.

"But, we got over it. Or, more so, I realized it wasn't his fault and that I was being reckless. But we were young, now we're older and we get it."

Mark chimes in, "Look at Lewis and Nico, they hated each other. But now Lewis buys Nico's girls gifts all the damn time."

"It's a rough patch," Oscar says when your expression looks a little too confused, "they're saying, basically, one day it's something you'll look back at and be able to accept. It's nothing set in stone. You and Rhys are two peas in a pod or whatever, just let what happens, happen. He's still your brother."

“I know it’s just… I dunno.” You groan, burying your face in your hands. There's not much more to say at that point, so Sebastian just gives you a hug and soft reassurances before sending you and Oscar off for media day. Oscar takes your wrist to tug you along, before you both get settled in the media pen, Logan's the first to come up to you.

"Why don't you go see Rhys? He's right over there!" Logan cheerily notes, giving you the biggest all-American smile he can muster.

And when you peek behind Logan, Rhys has amassed a small crowd with his flare. He's smiling, definitely chatting it up with one of the McLaren volunteers or interns and you feel a weird sickness settle in your stomach.

"Uhm. No, I don't think he wants to see me." You say, "I'll just stick with the interviews, I'm not used to this yet so I just wanna be in and out, y'know?"

Logan and Oscar share an odd look but simply let you go off on your own. And for the most part, media is kind to you. You doesn't have to worry about any harsh comments about being a woman, or rude assumptions about your relationship with Rhys after the exchange... or questions about your ex. It's surprising. But, that surprise, you mostly equate to Oscar literally glaring daggers at any reporter who even tries.

The best part of your day, however, is meeting Jenson. He happily brings you off to the side a bit more, laughing as he bids away, "your guard dog, Piastri."

But Oscar smiles and steps closer, humming as he says, "Hey, I don't trust half of these media people."

"Oh, neither do I." Jenson smiles, patting Oscar's arm to show the dismissal was in jest. Cameras capturing you laughing at the two, and answering Jenson's simple questions. It takes maybe twenty minutes, purely because you find Jenson hysterical as you both keep going back and forth. It's Sebastian who comes to get you and Oscar, shooing Jenson away as he shouts,

"You're stealing me and Mark's kids!"

"Oh! Are you two married now?" Jenson doesn't miss a beat, grinning and making everyone in the nearby area start laughing. Sebastian kicks at him jokingly, Jenson sticking his tongue out in jest as he dodges and then bids the Porsche drivers farewell.

The rest of media day passes in a blur, and by the time the last event rolls about, you've got Oscar's face squished against your shoulder as he softly snores. You're about the same distance away from completely falling asleep when Oscar's hand shifts from where it's across his stomach to wrap around you, and you smile, snuggling into the warmth that is your black cat of a teammate.

-

porscheracing

liked by f1, rhyspearce, markwebber, and 569k others...

porscheracing: look like our drivers had a long day!! see you tomorrow for our first ever quali!

oscarpiastri: in my defense I was tired ?

landonorris: i told you for two years naps rock, and now that we arent teammates you finally nap??

msdaisypearce: im a comfier pillow <3

landonorris: BETRAYAL OF THE HIGHEST ORDER.

rhyspearce: good luck!

msdaisypearce: the tik tok doom scroll rlly got to us

user1: ok seriously. they are dating.

-

Qualifying went... alright. Oscar ending in P7, with you, even after penalties from other drivers, ending up in P18. Rhys ending up P9.

You try not to let the side eyes and sneered comments over the low placement get to you, but its hard when its just about every damn male reporter. Lissie and Jenson are by the far the only saving graces you find in the absolute shit show that is the post Qualifying interviews, and then you tuck yourself into a corner in the back of your drivers room to hide from the world for a moment--headphones on and blasting something as you keep your head leaned against the wall.

Three knocks rumbling the wall cause you to open your eyes, Sebastian sitting down next to you. He taps his ears and you oblige, sliding the headphones off and pausing the music.

"You had a great drive today, you know that, right?" He hums and you shrug, "c'mon. Don't let the media get to you, it's your first race. A lot of drivers flunk their first race. You're new to the car and everything, just be a bit easier on yourself, okay?"

"I hold more than just my own successes on my shoulders, Seb. I hold the door for every other girl after me. Doriane, Chloe, Amna and Hamda, Maya, Bianca, Abbi-- you get it." You huff. Having come from F1 Academy, you'd spoken to Susie on countless occasions about how she felt like she'd closed the door. Never scoring points, never getting a podium. She made the academy to open it again, and you were the test subject of all of her hard work.

Hooray.

"If I fuck this up, how can any of them get here too?" you try to bite back the btter tone in your voice. It's not Sebastian's fault this all sucks, but hes the only person close enough to take your anger out on, and you grunt, "and Rhys isn't even here."

Sebastian just leans back against the wall a bit more for a few moments before he asks, "but would having Rhys here help?"

You pause, looking up at Sebastian as he watches your vacant expression, watching the way you slowly sink down and shake your head, "I think he would honestly make me feel worse. He's always been the better driver of us. People are gonna compare us a lot as is, but if we were on the same team I think it would be a lot worse."

Sebastian just nods slowly, then stands, offering you his hand so you can get up. He peels you off the floor, bringing you back out now to the much quieter garage. There's a few engineers walking around, and Sebastian brings you up to the monitors and sits you down.

"Look at your statistics." He says, pointing at the screen, then glancing over his shoulder as Mark approaches and leans on a nearby wall, and Sebastian continues, "your marks, overall, are almost just as high as Oscars are. See? In training, you guys are neck and neck. I honestly think you were just in your head about it today, tomorrow you're gonna have the track nailed down, and know how the cars gonna handle, it hopefully it'll be easier for you."

Mark turns to leave then, giving a curt nod in goodbye. You notice the odd bristling along Sebastian's shoulders, but make an effort not to mention it. Not worth digging into years worth of drama this late on a race night.

"Just..." Sebastian sighs when he can tell you arent' fully convinced, "Go out there tomorrow, try your best. There's no real... real danger if you do terribly. Media can say whatever, but what matters most is here in this garage, right?"

"Sure." You sigh, "sure. Thanks, Seb."

"Don't mention it, Dais. Go get some sleep." He smiles, punching your shoulder as he stands, turning to the offices to go collect his items. You get up, moving to the hall where the drivers rooms are and pause. Mark murmurs something to Oscar with crossed arms, and you'd feel rude to interrupt or accidentally eavesdrop. But when Oscar's eyes meet yours, you can't deny the flame of competitiveness you see in them.

Oh boy. Here we go.

-

It's hot. Abnormally hot for Bahrain at night in March, settling around 32 degrees celsius. It's set to drop quickly to somewhere around 15, but you're burning up as you start the race. Hands stay firm on the wheel, your eyes firm on the Alpine ahead of you.

Your engineer, Jovanni, is softly speaking in your ear as you cruise around the first few passes, getting you firmly into P16 within the first five or so laps. You squeeze around Lance, getting some sort of near miss as you force him out of the way in the turn, and confirm your spot ahead of him.

"Keep pushing, you're doing amazing so far." Jovanni says, "uh... adjustment up for rotary, everything else seems good."

"Copy." you take a sip of water, adjusting the rotary in the straight as you come up alongside Alonso. Which is... such a weird feeling when you grew up watching him win as a kid. As you get level with his back wheels with your front, you go around the turn and are forced wide. It knocks you back behind him but you hum, speeding up to take the inside line in the next turn.

You almost make contact, but luckily he eases off to the wide and you manage to get in front of him. A soft laugh leaving your throat as you happily grin at the feeling. It's weird to pass a childhood hero, but you grip your hands tighter on the steering wheel as you press forward.

"Great overtake, keep pace." Jovanni says and you affirm his statement, pushing forward to where Checo's fallen back due to car issues in the first few laps. Glancing ahead in the crowded turn, you see Oscar overtake someone beautifully, and then you maneuver your way to the outside of the curve to try and overtake Checo.

And shit.

"Contact with Perez." You curse as his rear tires hit yours, "not sure of damage."

"Still on the track?"

"Yessir." You push ahead, but Checo blocks you. So, its a comfy P14 for now.

"Copy, box this lap."

You continue driving, keeping yourself firmly behind Checo until it becomes apparent someone is riding your ass a bit too close. Glancing in your rearviews you can see an Aston Martin, but you aren't sure which one. Pressing to keep the racing line as best you can, you force your way closer to Checo until there's a sudden slow. Cursing, you break and weave out of the way of whacking into the back of the Red Bull in front of you, but not of the Aston behind you.

The driver hits you and nails you into the gravel, causing you to spin out. It takes you a moment to recover, but quickly you push yourself back onto the track.

"Whichever Aston hit me needs to be paying better attention, he's being dangerous." You grumble out the complaint, "Definitely have damage."

"Get back in and box, we'll go from there." Jovanni says, but he sounds void of any confidence he might've had prior to this. You let out a string of frustrated curses and continue the drive, not worrying about passing or getting too far up before you have to box. Its a struggle just to keep the car moving at the point, and you can feel dread pooling in your gut. As you pull to the pits, you're disappointed to see Sebastian standing off the pitwall and instead at door of the garage.

"Damage is too extensive to the rear axle, you're going to have to retire the car." Jovanni says softly and you feel your head just fall to hit the steering wheel.

And then you lift your head and slam your hand into the steering wheel, "Motherfucker!"

By the time you're approached by Sebastian, it's been long enough for you to stew in your anger in your drivers room. You'd been taking our your anger on one of the training tennis balls, throwing it at the wall progressively harder until the small green scuff on the wall started to turn into more of a dent. After the last throw, you just batted it down to the ground like a cat and sunk to a ball on the couch in frustrated tears.

"Not yours, but he got a ten second time penalty." Sebastian's voice chimes from the door, you can't even find the strength to look over. He continues, "Oscar had brake issues, ended P10. Honestly, a better start than I was expecting."

Your head perks up at that, narrowing at Sebastian who just shrugs, "two drivers completely new to cars that have never been on the track before, from a brand new team? I expected P20 and P19."

"I had to DNF." You deadpan, "that should count as a shit start."

"Y/n. You got rear-ended because Stroll couldn't keep his eyes focused on one thing at once. It wasn't your fault, it happens." He stays in the doorway, eyes narrow on you, but Sebastian doesn't make a move to come into the room. He can sense you need the space.

When you don't respond he just sighs, "Look. You've got media in twenty. So you have about fifteen minutes to wipe the attitude off, Pearce."

The door clicks shut shortly after and you groan into the air, slowly dragging yourself up. Media. Yay. After ten minutes of pacing to get the last bits of angry energy out, you change into normal team gear and head out to the main bit of the garage to find whichever poor soul from the PR team is going to have to deal with your mood. You get stuck with a just out of highschool girl named Mollie, shes shy and bouncy as you walk, and her excitement rubs off on you a bit.

You ask her a few questions about her work within Porsche and she happily explains how much she adores the media team, and you let her go on and on while you walk because its sweet.

And when you get to the reporters, and she can sense you tense up, she gives a tiny smile.

"Media can be bitches," she murmurs lowly, making you laugh as you wait for the Bahrain reporter to organize his notes, "just give it back to them."

You give her a little fistbump, seeing a friendship forming in front of you, before you start down the wall of reporters. Most are very forgiving of your race result, wishing you better luck for the rest of the season. You make it halfway down, finding yourself in front of Sky News. Jenson is kind, happy to report to you, giving you a hug when you tell him how frustrated you were with your placement. And then you make it to the last ESPN reporter.

He's a lively guy, accent clearly from somewhere in the States. He starts calmly, slowly bringing you in, before you can see the pin is about to drop. Even Mollie sends you a nervous look.

"And, I wanted to avoid bringing it up, but how did you feel after the rear-ending that ended in your retirement from the race?"

You sigh, digging through your head to formulate some sort of classy response, eventually stammering out, "I mean.. it's unfortunate. We all had to slow due to an accident on the track. I tried to swerve out of the way, but Stroll drove into the back of me. He damaged my rear axle enough I had to retire. It's unfortunate but sometimes it happens."

"Yes, it is unfortunate." The reporter nods, looking over to his camera man before saying, "We did speak to Lance about this earlier. And uhm... he said, to quote, 'she's an idiot. You can't just stop in the middle of the race so yeah, I hit her. Maybe she should go back to F1 Academy and learn how to drive, or not have paid for a seat in F1.'"

Your jaw ticks shut. Mollie clears her throat and you glance down as she shows you whatever your PR agent wants you to say and you shake your head at her. She nods softly as you murmur, "no, thats too nice for a dick like Stroll."

Turning back, you lean closer to the mic hissing through your teeth, "Well, for one, Stroll has a lot of room to talk about being a pay driver. He's got a lot of room. And Lance has been driving for how long? He's not a bad driver, never has been particularly awful, but he's got a lot of attitude. I don't need to go anywhere to learn how to drive, and I'll come back next race and show that. Trust me. But what Lance may need to do is hire someone to teach him to not opening his mouth when it should be shut. This isn't the first time, and I know it won't be the last. He wasn't looking, he drove into the back of me, end of story."

The reporter blinks, shocked at the sharpness of your voice as you continue with a rough growl to your tone, "Everyone knows you watch the car in front of you. That's like the cardinal rule of driving. Regardless of if you're on in a road car or on a race track. He put me in danger, and if the accident had been worse, other drivers in danger -- especially with how fast we were going. He should rethink his choices before commenting on my skill and my ability. I got here because I deserve to be here, end of--" you click your tongue to avoid cursing, "end of story."

The reporter just slowly nods, thanking you for your time, and as you leave Mollie grins as she says, "that was kinda badass."

"Thanks," you grin, taking a drink of the Red Bull you snagged off a random table in the garage earlier, "I feel better now."

"Good." Mollie giggles and you smile, moving along with her back to the garage.

liked by sebastianvettel, oscarpiastri, lewishamilton, and 816k others...

msdaisypearce: not the first race i wanted to have in f1. but we keep pushing. see u in saudi <3!

user1: last pic is a whole mood

oscarpiastri: no pic credits :(?

⤷ msadaisypearce: ur so spoiled. (oscar took the last pic)

user2: shes an f1 driver and yet didn't post herself in uniform?

user3: erm. oki girl whtv u say like u didn't slam on the brakes.

rhyspearce: u did ur best !!

⤷ user4: why is this so passive aggressive??

⤷ user5: daisy hasn't even LIKED her brothers posts since he moved to mcl

⤷ user6: that's so conceited of her. like if ur butthurt ur brother got a better team just be better next time?

sebastianvettel: tough start of the season but like i said before, you've got this kid !!

user7: her beef w lance is SOOO good like pop off daisy

user8: just proving f1a hasn't prepared its drivers AT ALL.

( taglist is open ! )

@evie-119

[youjustwaitsunshine]

Seb helmets: the long awaited sequel

Mugello 2020:

Not on Seb's website, but still on ferraris instagram, Seb had this helmet to celebrate Ferraris 1000th gp. (in the same week, he announced his move to aston martin)

Turkish GP 2021

a beautiful sea creature design to remind us to save our oceans. i personally really love the turtles

Singapore GP 2022

gorgeous neon rainbow on super light absorbent black design. now it can be said with finality (as of yet): jens munser and sebastian vettel never missed when it was about helmets in singapore. i have a keychain of this helmet so I'm especially fond of it.

British GP 2022

ngl i cried a bit just from pulling those pictures up again. he is so loved. i love how even though we know barely anything about sebs family, this helmet shows so much personality from his kids and hanna. this is the most gorgeous helmet of them all. however, shoutout to the subtle nigel mansell design hed have driven with if his family hadn't made a secret birthday helmet for him.

Abu Dhabi 2022

I'm so so proud to be a fan of a driver who loves his fans. The few times I've met Seb, he's always taken his time - often more than allotted - to greet as many people as he could, pose for pictures sign things etc. He feels very genuine in showing his appreciation for his fans and so I think this helmet is a beautiful monument to the love people have for him. He is deeply beloved and in turn, he loves his fans and has shown this from his retirement message that was so much more personal than a press release, over the time between the announcement to his last race and beyond. This helmet is a testament to the way we love Seb and the way he loves us back.

USGP 2022

Peace and Love baby! this gorgeous woodstock inspired piece is incredibly gaudy and glittery and very unapologetically so. i love it deeply but opinions were very split on it

Japan 2022

a very cleverly done thank you to helmet provider arai. who doesn't love opening packages? especially one as beautiful as this one! it's a bit sad to not have the little ninja mascot on the helmet for sebs last f1 race in japan, however, with his 2022 helmet designs being so beautiful and elevated, he outgrew it a bit. important side note about japan 2022 here is sebs battle to the line with fernando alonso.

Hungary 2021

Let us remember this GP for the joy it brought and not the desperation that followed. Seb came, saw and served cunt in his rainbow sneakers, rainbow shirt, rainbow mask and rainbow helmet. He drove to the podium and nothing bad or terrible happened after.

Brazil 2022

the intertwined bars of the german and then, further up, the climate change flag (and the brazilian one on top) are reminiscent of the 2018 german gp helmet!

Austria 2022

The iconic bee helmet! I actually have a few pics of this one from the Austrian GP that i took myself. Even though that GP specifically sucked so hard it made Seb sway towards retiring, the helmet is beautiful and iconic.

Honourable Mentions:

- Miami 2022: the snorkel helmet! first GP underwater, also premiering sebs GIGANTICALLY OVERSIZED climate change t shirt also found in his shoo

- Canada 2022: Canadas Climate Crimes/ stop mining tar sands. this one made a politician on twitter sooooo angry. it lost her rant a bit of credibility that she directly profited from the tar sand mining.

- LGBTQ+ CLEAN OUR OCEANS (Abu Dhabi 2021): the world's to do list. i mostly have to laugh at the unlucky placement of the lgbtq+ and the clean our oceans phrase. why are the cishets exempt from cleaning our oceans? questionable.

- Race4Women: Saudi Arabia 2021. a return of the beautiful day-glow paint.

almost all of sebs helmets are either on the sebsite or deep in jens munsers archives (difficult but not impossible to find)

Seb helmet masterpost

[embrosegraves]

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕄𝕠𝕠𝕟 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤

(request) Sebastian Vettel x Reader (he/they) Kids: Vincent/Vince (4) and Miriam/Mimi (5 months)

Warnings: Mentions of Reader not having a good childhood, mentions of Bad Mental Health™, self-doubt from reader, badly written angst?

It had been an unbelievable few years for the Vettel household. First Sebastian married the love of his life and they moved to a farm in Switzerland. They spent three years together before they adopted an energetic 2-year-old boy named Vincent. They were a perfect family of three. Sebastian retired from Formula One when Vince was 3 and a year later they found themselves at home with a now 4-year-old son and a newly adopted 5-month-old baby girl, Miriam.  

It was everything Seb could’ve asked for. He had a husband and two gorgeous children, he had never been more satisfied with anything in his life. 

Sebastian was so in love with his life that his heart shattered when he saw his life partner struggling. Y/n put up a good show in front of the children, but Sebastian and Y/n had been together for close to 9 years. Not to mention that they had known each other for 13 years. All that to say, Sebastian basically knew them better than themself. So he knew that while Y/n was outwardly happy and excited, their mind was in the trenches between anxiety and doubt. 

Seb could see that he was struggling with something and it physically pained him to not know how to help. Y/n was the single most important thing in his life. Every fibre of his being was made to love him and to make him feel happy and safe. He had to try something to help.

Prior to getting together with Seb, Y/n had explained vaguely what it had been like growing up for them. How they had to basically raise themself from a very early age. The sad fact was, Y/n had never had a consistent flow of positive affirmation or physical affection until finding Sebastian. Growing up both things had been a taboo. Meeting Sebastian had made Y/n determined to break the generational cycle before it had time to fully begin. Sometimes that mindset was hard to keep. Especially when asked a seemingly innocent question from a totally clueless 4-year-old. 

Vince hadn’t even asked Y/n the question, but he had overheard the small boy ask Sebastian. 

“How much am I loved?”

Those five words had sent Y/n into a silent spiral for days. Y/n hadn’t bothered to stick around to hear Sebastian answer the question. Instead, they tried as best they could to continue the day as normal. Why did Vince ask that, of all questions? Y/n was aware that children were always curious about everything, and they knew that it was more than likely just a child’s healthy curiosity. But curiosity had to start somewhere, right? What happened for their son to ask how much he was loved. 

Had he turned into his parents? Had he, without realising, not shown or said how much he absolutely adored his child? Did he somehow do the one thing that he swore he never would? Just the thought of it made him feel sick to his stomach. 

Sitting on the couch one evening, Baby Mimi asleep in one arm while the other circled around a sleeping Vince, Y/n found themself within their mind once again. Thinking about everything they had done leading up to Vince asking that dreaded question. He couldn’t pinpoint anything that seemed out of the ordinary. Nothing had changed in the dynamic since they had adopted their first child. Y/n blinked away the tears forming in his eyes. 

“I’m so sorry, my loves.” Y/n whispered as they looked at their children. Their voice was choked with emotion as they spoke.

“I’m sorry I haven’t done better. I promised myself that I would be better, and it’s not just myself that I’ve let down.” Y/n sniffled. “I said, years ago, that I would never become the people that raised me. That I would stop the cycle before it could begin, but clearly I’ve failed.” 

Sebastian had stopped just before the doorway to the living room, having heard his husband speaking to the no doubt sleeping children. 

“I wish that I could take back every moment you ever doubted my love for you. Prove that I am not my parents and that you are the most important parts of my life. I never want for you to feel how I did as a child.” 

Sebastian couldn’t take it anymore. He walked into the room, gently picked up his son and sat down next to Y/n. Keeping an arm around Vince, he used his free arm to wrap around his partner and pull them close to him. 

Sebastian pressed a lingering kiss to Y/n temple and whispered to him. “They do not doubt your love for them, Blume. I promise you.”

“How would you know that? I have failed as a parent if my child has to ask if he is loved.” Y/n took a shuddering breath, trying to stop themself from bawling their eyes out. 

“I know because I asked. Vince knows how much you love him, he knows how much I love him and I have no doubt in my mind that Mimi also knows how much we love her.”

“Papa, how much am I loved?” 

Sebastian looked at the 4-year-old in his arms, “Why do you ask?” 

“Baba always says that he loves you to the moon. And then you always say that you love Baba for all the stars.” 

“We do say that, yes.” Sebastian could help but smile at his son. He knew that for the young boy to know the endearment he exchanged with his husband, he would’ve had to hear it often. It pleased him to know that his children were growing up surrounded by the notion that affection and openly loving someone was a good thing.

“I just wanted to know how much I was loved. Like you and Baba.”

Adjusting Vince so that he could see his face, Sebastian gave a kiss to his forehead. “Baba and I love you so much that there is nothing we could compare it to”

The boy looked at his father, “And Mimi too?” 

“Of course Mimi too. There is nothing in the whole world that Baba and I love more than the two of you.” 

“Not even your trophies? Baba says you love them a lot.” Vince said, laying his head on Sebastian’s shoulder.

“My trophies don’t even come close, Kleine.” 

Sebastian pulled his husband closer as he finished speaking. I was silent for a moment before Seb spoke up again. 

“You have not failed as a parent, and I know that you will never fail. I have seen how much our son adores you. In every language I know there are not enough words to explain how much he loves you.” 

Sebastian knew that it wasn’t going to be easy to convince his partner that they didn’t need to be upset or worried. He knew that it was hard to come back from your mind. Especially if you had been there for a while. Sebastian was determined to help his partner, no matter how long it took him. He would go to the ends of the Earth if it meant that Y/n knew how much their little family loved them. He would trade every Championship trophy in the world to show Y/n that they are nothing like the people who raised them (because they sure as shit weren’t parents). 

“I love you so much that seeing you doubt yourself hurts me. You are the best damn parent for our children and I just wish that you could see that.”

It might take me a while but I can potentially do a part 2 for this if people liked it.

but anyways, I hope everyone enjoyed <3

[beechicory]

Seb, a few days before his final race, did a fascinating interview discussing many, many things, including:

his decision to retire being for him

the World Cup in Qatar (and when, or if, sports should go there)

sportswashing and flowery words, and

the need for F1 to put its money where its flowery words are in terms of improving human rights

that human rights, and projects to improve human rights, require funding $$$ and actions, not words and photo-ops

that F1 must be be a) transparent, and b) accountable about the money it gets and where that money goes

It's a really good discussion, and he's really thoughtful - I think that even if one were to disagree with his conclusions, you'd leave recognising his logic and sincerity (and moral conviction).

The interview, with Philipp Schneider of Süddeutsche Zeitung, was difficult to get access to (here's a link to it on archive.ph) so I'm posting the google-translated text behind the Read More. (As always when something is google-translated, we're probably missing some nuance, etc)

I really recommend reading it!

Tw for discussion of homophobia, etc.

-----------------

Conversation with Sebastian Vettel

"I want to experience happiness without having to drive for it"

Nov 18, 2022 at 6:51 p.m

Before his last race, Sebastian Vettel talks about the reasons for the end of his career, the driver's dependence on the car and material - and makes demands on Fifa and Formula 1.

SZ: Mr. Vettel, a face-to-face meeting was originally planned. Now we can at least connect by phone. That saves CO2 emissions and should be in your interest, right?

Sebastian Vettel: Absolutely. That's how it works wonderfully.

Your Formula 1 career ends on Sunday with a final race in Abu Dhabi . And a lot of people get excited because they want to know what you're going to do in the future. Does that surprise you?

Luckily, my decision doesn't affect the people, it affects me. And it's not like I got up in the morning and thought: like that! Now is the time to stop. I've been thinking about this for a long time. And even if I can't say exactly what comes after that - I'm looking forward to what comes after that!

Good to hear.

At some point, every athlete reaches the point where their career can no longer continue, for whatever reason, whether self-chosen or not. I'm not super special in that regard. The big task for me will be to find something that gives me the same level of satisfaction as I did in the years in Formula 1. One thing is certain: the big adrenaline rush and the feeling of sitting in the car will no longer exist. But that was clear to me.

We have a theory as to where the keen interest in your post-career life comes from.

How does it look?

We don't know of any professional athlete who has ever pushed his career with so much momentum during his active time. Lately one had the feeling that you are more often in the beehive than in the car and more of a political ambassador than a racing driver!

yes, good Maybe that's because there's not much to celebrate for me on the track at the moment. The sporting success in recent years has not been so outstanding that one could have said or written much about it.

You are not only leaving Formula 1 as a four-time world champion, but also as an important eyewitness. What do you think has changed the most in the past 15 years?

I think the sport, the genetics or what defines the sport is probably unchanged since Formula 1 came along. Yes, cars are changing, and so are people. But the core of Formula 1 has remained the same. I still love this sport, since I was little I've done nothing else, dreamed of nothing else, nothing else has ever really driven me. So what's different? The dimensions of the sport have grown enormously in recent years. So internationally, in Germany Formula 1 has shrunk.

Is that how you perceive it?

Formula 1 was far bigger in Germany when I started. And of course it was greatest when the boom years around Michael (Schumacher, editor's note) were around, in the mid-nineties, early 2000. Then there was another strong wave at my most successful time. But after that, interest in Germany decreased significantly.

Why is that?

On the one hand, because not all races are broadcast on free TV. But there is another important point: I am afraid that Germany is only a pioneer in terms of its view of Formula 1. There are simply more and more important issues that are coming to the fore. And that's why the question of the relevance of Formula 1 arises for many people.

But are you still a fan?

Naturally! I'm totally euphoric about our sport! That's exactly why I see how important it is to look at him critically. The way we deal with resources is not a role model, we should be much more economical. If that is not the case soon, the question will quickly arise around the world as to whether Formula 1 is still viable. And then interest should decrease everywhere, as has already happened in Germany.

Exciting theory. The general perception is rather: Formula 1 is going through the roof everywhere, just not in Germany and Brazil, because people there don't want to spend money on pay TV.

The problem is deeper. We as a society do not want to underestimate the emergency we are in. In the decades to come, we will increasingly have to ask ourselves the question: What is still possible, what can we still afford? And every sport then has to justify itself for the way in which it is played.

So not just Formula 1?

Not at all. Us first, of course, because in our sport we drive around, burn resources and still need fossil fuels. But a football World Cup, the Olympic Games, the Bundesliga too: every major event has to reinvent itself and see how it can leave a smaller footprint.

From ecological to sporting criticism: The season began with a technology amendment that was announced with great pomp and aimed at pushing the field closer together. Why has the season turned out to be the most one-sided in years?

After big rule changes there is often a gap between a top team and the rest. The goal was to make overtaking and the show better and to make it easier for us to overtake. It's gotten a little better, but the big revolution that was announced with the new rules didn't materialize. It would have been better for the sport this season to have left the rules as they were. However, a process has been started that has the potential to bring the field closer together in the coming years. Also thanks to the budget cap, not only the teams with a lot or a lot of money will win in the long term, but also the smaller teams. However, this will only happen in a horizon of five years.

It was far more exciting in 2010: you only snagged your first title in the last race. Has Abu Dhabi been a happy place for you since then?

(laughs) Well, the racetrack and what happened on the racetrack, yes! I have many fond memories of winning the 2010 World Cup. It doesn't feel like yesterday. And a lot has happened since then.

Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz then said that the way to the world championship title in the next few years would only be through you. And adds: Provided he's in the right car. The sentence was prophetic: it included all the titles that followed, but also your sometimes dreary years in worse cars. A driver drives the competition to the ground in the Red Bull and fails to win a title after switching to Ferrari and Aston Martin . Do you understand critics who say: what kind of sport is that?

The dependency of a driver on the team and material is actually enormous. But even in the Bundesliga you don't really have a chance of winning the championship if you're not FC Bayern.

The difference, however, is that while a player can shine on a bad football team, it's much harder on a Haas or Aston Martin.

Formula 1 has always been like this. In the fifties, in the seventies, and it's still like that today. From this point of view, however, the past few years have been very instructive for me. In the beginning, my aspirations in Formula 1 were very much focused on success. And then success came, very quickly and very powerfully. I rode the wave for as long as the wave was available.

A wave called Red Bull , on which you won four world titles...

Well, and then in the last few years the water has been under my board (laughs) ... or the wind has been taken out of my sails. But that doesn't mean my efforts are any smaller. I learned that there is a midfield and a backfield that I didn't bother with that much before because it was too far away. In any case, something interesting also happens there: the efforts are just as great, but the reward is completely absent.

Completely?

I would say yes. And that is of course a very, very hard bread for the motivation of the teams and also the drivers. They bob around in the back for years, go unnoticed and hope that they will take the small chance to shine when they present themselves. They are not only dependent on their motivation, their skills and talent - but also on the surrounding environment. It takes a bit of luck to be in the right place at the right time. The past few years have shaped me in this respect and taught me a lot, including about myself. In that respect, I don't want to do without them, even if I could have given them all away from a sporting point of view.

When we spoke in 2018, you said: your dream isn't finished yet, you still wanted to be world champion in a red car like your role model Michael Schumacher. Do you now console yourself with the belief that you had no chance of winning the Ferrari title?

We did not make it. So I could say: We didn't stand a chance. Or I could torture myself and ask: what was missing from the car? What slowed us down in development? What was perhaps structurally not ideal? You could have recognized some things and saved yourself some mistakes. But it wasn't like that. We tried everything as a team and gave everything. Even in hindsight, it doesn't feel like I left anything behind or that I was completely off track. Yes, I think unfortunately we didn't have a real chance to fight to the end.

Because Mercedes was too powerful?

You have to be fair enough to accept that the Mercedes- Lewis Hamilton package was the best. They had a better pace of development and therefore drove better than us. Which of course is a shame. I think I can live with that now as well as with the question of whether this is the right time for me to say goodbye. Or whether it might have needed another sense of achievement.

The question then arises as to what a sense of achievement in the Aston Martin could even look like.

What is the right time? Do you need a title to finish? A won race? A fastest lap? Any climax? Those are all questions I asked myself. It's not my fault if people expect something just because it would have been a nicer story. Or when they nag because they think my career is not smooth because I drive around the back and quit anyway. I'm the only one who has to live or deal with my situation. And after all these years I know exactly what I can do. I know what it takes to win races. And I know I don't have any of that right now. I'm still so confident in myself that I say: If I'm in the right package and have the right attitude, then I can get back up there at the front. Still.

When Nico Rosberg retired after his only title, not everyone was pleased either: critics said he fled because he felt he would never defeat Lewis Hamilton again.

Even. The length of time after your career is so infinitely long. Definitely wanting to win another title is not a recipe for success for the 40 or 50 years that follow. And I was lucky enough to be able to celebrate so many titles that I don't even know which one was the best. Just because you stopped with a title doesn't mean your career after your career will be 100 percent great.

After all, Nico Rosberg made it into the TV show The Lion's Den. But because you so often talk about your career after your career and recently said in Der Spiegel that you wanted to do it like Stefan Raab: just finish and then go underground. Anyone who has followed your activities beyond the race track will understand: you want to do things differently than Stefan Raab. They create a new stage for themselves so as not to disappear afterwards.

(laughs) Time will tell. I just said that I admire it when someone manages to transform their life in such a way that they say: I don't need any of this anymore! Maybe you can now simply bring your experience, your strengths and also your knowledge, which you have brought to bear in front of the camera over the years, behind the camera. So maybe you still work in the same profession, but you don't need the limelight as much anymore.

Fortunately, more people work behind the camera than in front of the camera in Formula 1 anyway.

Honestly, I wish I could find something I'm happy with. I want to experience good luck without having to drive (laughs) .

But to your legacy as a critic of Formula 1: Formula 1 is expanding into more and more countries where human rights are not respected. Football fans are protesting in the stadiums against the World Cup, which begins in Qatar on Sunday . Are motorsport fans less political?

Good question. In controversial countries like Qatar, football was kicked off ten years ago. There may not have been a World Cup yet, but that's where clubs held their winter camps.

FC Bayern has been going to Qatar regularly for years.

For example. We as Formula 1 have been organizing races in these countries for a long time. I think our world should keep evolving. That's why certain things can no longer be considered okay.

Qatar's World Cup ambassador described being gay as "mental damage" in front of the camera in a ZDF documentary.

That is not how it works! This is outrageous!

The mantra of the Qatari whitewashers that society is becoming more liberal, you just have to keep going there, organize big events and wait a few years - isn't that obviously a misconception?

Might be. But Formula 1 is booming internationally and is opening up to a younger audience thanks to the Netflix series "Drive to Survive". And when these young people come to the races, they may hear from other spectators that unbearable tone that many women, for example, suffer from. Then the young people can raise their voices and say: Hey, that's not possible! And this is how debates may arise that will help society as a whole. What is definitely no longer possible: that someone in a country where there are human rights violations talks their way out; For example with the argument: "That's just the way it is with us. Get over it!"

Isn't it naïve to believe that such a change is taking place?

That's why I specifically demand that sport should give itself a compass, set up a moral code and then stick to it. There it is then precisely determined what the basic political requirements must be in order for sport to be allowed to take place in a country. Certain things and certain countries are simply no longer there. Too much is too much. And then we say no as Formula 1 or FIFA . And don't just nod politely and take the money or help us with any other perks the country might offer.

For example, it could say: Don't drive in countries where critical journalists are cut up with bone saws. Formula 1 has signed a ten-year contract with Saudi Arabia.

Again: homophobic comments like that of the World Cup ambassador are absolutely unacceptable. And it puts the athletes in an extremely difficult situation: us drivers in Formula One, but also the players who will take part in the World Cup. You all have to ask yourself a very difficult question: Can I or am I even allowed to practice my sport in this place?

Your Answer?

You can't expect the players to get together and decide: We're skipping this moment, this unique feature in our lives, playing a World Cup, for political reasons. On the other hand, that would be an extremely good sign. It's difficult for the players, but easier for the spectators. You just couldn't look. I myself really enjoy watching football and I love European and World Cups. But sometimes I think: If I don't watch now, don't I also punish all the players who do their best for themselves and their team and are passionate about their sport? But when I think about it that way...

Then?

If statements like those of the World Cup ambassador are made, then we simply shouldn't go to Qatar! The saying was more than backward-looking. The sport, the whole association should say: This is not the right place to do sport there.

Especially since the ambassador still gets money to show as friendly a face as possible to the outside world. He proves that nothing gets better just because sport is organized.

There's a chance. Even our Western societies have not eaten wisdom with spoons and can now say: Dear country XY, do everything as we do and everything will be fine! We also have things that should be significantly better. But if you want to accelerate change in Qatar or Saudi Arabia, then as a sport we need transparency: we have to publish the unembellished numbers of how much money we collect from the countries. And we have to clearly communicate how much of it flows back into projects that then really drive change there on the ground.

A very large and a very small number.

Allegedly. But as long as these issues remain in the background and are veiled, as long as no one knows how much money is being spent and what is being done with it, we will remain stationary. It also doesn't help if you meet somewhere and take a picture of banging a spade in the ground or planting a tree.

You went karting with young women in Saudi Arabia and published photos of it.

That was only a small gesture, but social change does not come for free. Many important projects cost money. And if a country has plenty of money to attract big sport, then some of it, even a large part, should be used to improve people's lives.

Some problems in Qatar cannot be solved by projects. Homosexuality is forbidden, the ambassador only said what is the law. So shouldn't the code you're asking for it say: don't drive in countries where same-sex lovers are jailed?

Just as. Fifa, Formula 1 and other sports associations should also consistently demand the implementation of the demands that they formulate in flowery words. And then say: You can bid as much money as you want, but we won't come. At the moment it is unfortunately still the case that as an organizer you can get away with it if you take a few nice photos. The fundamental problem is another.

That would?

There is still no authority that can demand consequences if an association does not meet the requirements it sets for itself. Formula 1 has set itself the goal of being climate neutral by 2030. Nice and good. But why can't it be checked by an independent and critical body along the way? To then live with the consequences and possible penalties, whatever they may look like? What happens if Formula 1 takes a wrong turn on the way to climate neutrality and doesn't meet its own demands? Or FIFA on the way to more equality and diversity? Unfortunately, at the moment it's like this: Formula 1 controls Formula 1, and Fifa controls Fifa.

But who should control the big associations?

There are independent instances that deal with all kinds of tests that could be won. But it would help if you didn't just set an abstract goal, but divided the way there into transparent intermediate stages. And then there's the general public, the fans in the stands, journalists reporting on it. And wouldn't that be a very, very broad, international and good control body? So I don't see why a lot of problems can't be solved with transparency.

It's a pity that you drive your last race. Actually, because of your sense of mission, you should be forced to continue to circle until retirement age.

Oh, I do not know ...

With all his love for Fernando Alonso, it is unlikely that he would be interested in anyone other than Fernando Alonso in his old racing days. And there is no one to be seen growing up as a political driver.

Every driver has his or her own issues... Maybe some drivers are still too young. But the climate issue will also come to the fore with them. Even if they don't want to.

After leaving Haas a year ago, Mick Schumacher is without a cockpit in Formula 1. Various driver's seats have become vacant in the past few weeks, but no team boss has thought of Schumacher. How do you explain that his services are not in greater demand?

It would be a shame for the sport if it lost Mick. We talked about the fact that in some cars you can't shine as a driver. And sometimes a driver and his car don't go together at all. Mick has had a difficult year, but has set his highlights and accents. As high as you sometimes fly in Formula 1, you can quickly fall again. Basically, you are never as good as people say you are. But you're never as bad as people say you are. Of course, I wish that Mick stays in Formula 1, because that would be very, very important for Germany's motorsport scene .

Nevertheless: You won your first race in the defeated Toro Rosso. Michael Schumacher amazed the world in a Jordan. How do you recognize a talent? And how do you recognize when a talent isn't that great after all?

It's a difficult subject for me: I know Mick better than most drivers and have known for a very long time. He has a lot of potential. Although he may not be the type to get in the car and run into everyone like some people are. Mick is someone who can always improve. This is his gift. But will it then come to the point where he regularly wins and competes for the title? I don't know that. Mick is still too young for such an assessment. I can only hope he gets the time to find out.

[effervescentdragon]

@petitprince16 i guess this is for you since i didnt even wait till i seized this opportunity 😅 mwah ❤️

"I guess I'm playing you again," Sebastian says with that infuriating half-smirk he has always had which used to drive Charles crazy even before he finally saw it directed at him. He's leaning against the door of Charles' locker room, and his playing shorts are really short. Charles gets distracted by Seb's legs for a moment too long, before his eyes return to his face and that damned infuriating smirk.

Namely, the way that smirk drove him crazy changed many ways over the course of his career and with the times, but Charles isn't really ready to get into that. He's blushing already, and he has embarrased himself in front of Seb a million times. He'd give anything to be able to embarrass himself against him a million more, if he were being honest, but honesty is overrated, and Seb is retiring at the end of the season.

There's a whole thing happening, him and Lewis playing each other in one final match. Charles knows all about it, from Pierre and George and Mick and everyone, and he doesn't know what he thinks. Doesn't know how he feels about it, really. Doesn't want to figure it out.

That's a lie, actually. It's jealousy, and annoyance, and sadness, because Seb has always been there, always, someone Charles looked up to before he climbed the ATP ladder, someone Charles met on the courts all over the world, grass and gravel and all in between, someone Charles even beat regularly for a while. He's still not sure if that was the best or the worst thing to have happened to him. But aside from that, Seb was a voice on the phone in the middle of the night and the face across from him in the bar, a warm hand on his neck and even warmer lips on his in the dark of the nights in England and Spain and Australia and everywhere in between.

And now he's retiring, and playing Lewis for his final match, and Charles is just supposed to, what? Go on? Play like nothing is changed? Live on like Seb isn't leaving?

He can't. He has to, though. He hates it with his whole being, but he has to. Fuck.

"Yeah," Charles replies, and tries to smile. "I'll try not to grind you into dust." He shrugs. "At least you can win against Lewis, later."

He isn't sure why he said it. He wishes he hadn't, but he knows Sebastian, and the damage is done already. Seb knows him, too, always has, always had a way of cutting through Charles' bullshit and opening up the most vulnerable parts of Charles, prying him open and making him admit things he didn't even know he thought, or felt.

This time is no different. Sebastian looks at him, really looks at him. His mouth opens a bit on a quiet exhale, and there is recognition and understanding in his expression. Charles flushes fully, bites his lip and puts his hands in his pockets. He scuffs his shoes and tries to think of their upcoming match, but it's no use. His mind is stuck on the fact that Seb is leaving, and that this will probably be the last time they play each other.

A warm hand splays on his shoulder, and soft fingers graze his throat. He looks up into Seb's eyes, then glances around, to see if anyone is in the locker room with them. There's nobody there, and Seb presses his hand into Charles' collarbone. The touch burns, but Charles is used to it. Seb's touches always burned.

"Charles," Seb starts, then cuts himself off. Charles' name always sounds unfinished on Seb's lips. Maybe it's because Seb rarely finishes what he wants to say to Charles. "I - you -" he tries again. Charles is sweating too much already, and he can feel his shorts cut into his stomach. He tries not to move, but Seb is too close already.

"It's okay," he makes himself say. "I - understand."

Seb scoffs. Charles blushes again, but that's fair. He doesn't understand, not really. He's young, and hungry for victory, and he doesn't understand why Seb would walk away. How he even could.

Seb says nothing, and silence is pervasive for a moment. Sounds of the crowd are muffled, and Charles feels his heart in his throat. This tournament isn't really that important, but Charles still wants to win. He wants it more than anything, except, maybe - no. That's foolish. Seb has made his decision. There's nothing that can make him stay anymore. There is nothing worth staying for anymore.

"Charles," Seb says again, and this time, there is something soft in his voice, somthing that hurts Charles. It's the same tone he uses when they're done with fucking and they're wrapped around each other, right before one of them has to get up and leave. That's when they talk, about silly things, and important things. That's when time stops for a while, and everything gets relegated to second place, tennis and playing and winning and injuries and all of the world that's outside their bed. That's the times Charles yearns for and fears the most. "Do you have plans for the summer break?"

Charles blinks. Seb's final match is in July, during the first week of the break. Charles has already confirmed he'd be there, with Seb's PR team and his own, and Lewis' people too. He was planning on coming to Germany, watching the match and then fucking off to Ibiza or somewhere else where he could drink his - whatever away. He doesn't know what Seb is asking. He doesn't know what this all means.

"After July," Seb says, and there is something in his eyes that makes Charles' breath hitch and stop in his throat. "I have some things to do, to wrap up, but August, I - I will be free." Charles doesn't think he's only talking about tennis. "I'll be - I will have time. And if you, if you want - I have a tennis court at my place in Switzerland."

It's not a question. It's not even an offer. It's - it's not like Seb, not to say what he wants, at least not to Charles. He's never had issues with telling Charles exactky what he wants, and what Charles is doing wrong, and what he's doing right. It's not like Seb, to mince words. It's not like him at all. It's more like - Charles.

He looks at Seb, and sees it all then. The tightness of his lips. The crow's feet around his eyes. The way his chest rises and falls. The way he clutches onto Charles' red shirt harder than it's necessary.

Charles feels himself start to smile. Seb is close to him, but Charles takes a step which brings him right into Seb's space.

"I have no plans," Charles says quietly. Seb's eyes widen almost imperceptibly. "I would appreciate using your tennis court. To exercise, for next season."

Seb licks his lips.

"That means this isn't our last match."

Charles can feel Seb's breath against his own lips. It smells like watermelon, like the gum Seb likes to chew. It's familiar. It makes him giddy.

"I'm still going to win," Charles says cheekily, and it startles a laugh out of Seb.

"You think?" Seb asks, and his eyes sparkle. His fingers trail a burning path slowly over Charles' skin.

Charles looks at Seb's lips, then back up into his eyes.

"I know," he says with a certainty he has rarely felt in his life. I won today already, he doesn't say.

He's pretty sure Seb knows it already, if the grin on his face is any indication.

[thisismeracing]

I'm sending this in bc I have been gathering random thoughts but don't worry about answering right the way!

okay first

-mick is kind of a golden retriever but in my opinion he is more of a blue eyed labrador

maybe bc he's a little shy and g retrievers are all out a have a very energetic vibe even when with strangers they're over energetic, but I feel like mick is more of a shy person who might be social but doesn't initiate any interaction + mick with short hair looks exactly like a labrador don't lie to yourself guys

-mick invites estie everywhere bc he's a very intuitive person (not that you need it to see it) but he feels like estie is always kinda left out even when he is invited to things - he is a empath and you can't change mind

-I know how bad it is to "diagnose" people out of nowhere BUT as a neurodivergent my self I feel such a neurodivergent vibe from him?!? am I the only one?

-out of all the drivers he's the one who seems to try to get out of his bubble the most (if we count Seb and Lewis out) he engages and tries to learn + support a lot of things that are socially important, out of the younger drivers he is the one who shows most interested in it too. I worry so much that once Lewis retires (still crying about Seb), we will basically have no drivers who strives for diversity and equality as strongly as they do

-I will say that i'm a gemini and the person I had the best romantic relationship was a Aries, Idk why people hate them?? They are literally one of the best zodiac signs, there is nothing about them I don't like, I don't know what that says about me

now I will also admit that the worst romantic relationship I've had was with a Cancer, he was the most emotionally manipulative person I ever met, please avoid them at all costs romantically (just a warning- I mean a tip)

btw love you lots and love how you answer everything that is sent in

- 🎀 anon

-oMG I- I CAN TOTALLY SEE IT AND I HAVE TO AGREE!! HAHAHAH I can't unsee it! Now, every time I pass a lab I'm gonna think about Mick lol

-I had the same feeling tbh. I think he is the kind of person who likes to make everyone feel loved and welcomed, so sometimes even without noticing he gravitates towards the less famous in the crowd. 🥹

-I think this may be like on the estie bestie point: he just radiates such good energy that we can't help but identify with him, maybe that leads us to "getting X vibe" like you just did 💗 (I'm not elaborating much on this point bc I feel like this is a very personal and delicate subject so yup).

-I've been refraining to think about Lewis' retirement because I have the same feeling you do. It's not that the others don't care (some really don't tbh), but there's a difference in how he acts and how some of the grid acts. Lewis tends to use his voice more, just like Seb did/still do, and this is what we need: people who understand that their biggest power is their voice, not only their money when the conversation is creating diverse and prejudice-free spaces.

-I honestly don't understand much about astrology, though I do believe in it. But if Mick has any red flags related to his star sign you can bet I'm acting colorblind about it 😘👍🏾 I've never really stopped to notice how people talk about Aries, I'm making a point out of it now. Maybe Gemini people like to do exactly what others told them not to hahaha thank you for the tip!! I'm gonna keep an eye open for them!! 👀✍️🏾

aweeee, love you too, honey!! thanks for the ask, I'm patiently waiting for the next round *mwah* 💖💖💖

[tonnerredebrest]

a tired canadian trying to put back together two annoying europeans

summary: Lance is tired. Tired of putting Esteban back up each times Alonso just looks at him, tired of feeling shitty about Mick leaving, and exhausted about having said Spaniard as his teammate. Yet, he needs to be strong, for he’ll learn he has a new quest for the 2023 season: making his teammate and friend see reason, and date again. Also he’ll have to threaten some people to get Mick back on the grid, but nothing is impossible. tags: eventual happy ending, crack, emotional hurt/comfort, eventual fluff, breaking up and getting back together, warnings: none apply, some f-bomb swearing. part: 3 of 6

Part 1 ; Part 2 ;

The first day of testing is a pain in the arse, literally. Yeah, he got his seat fit and other things, but that damn porpoising hurts his back. Something else also hurts, irritates him, and it’s his goddamn teammate. That man has deemed that it was a good idea to just stroll back to Esteban, as if nothing happened, as if they were still together and in the same team.

It nearly broke the Frenchman to the ground. And guess who has to scramble for the pieces of that lanky drivers, put them back together to make him survive the day? Yeah, you’re goddamn right it was the Powerpuff boys. Mick will stay for a bit in the UAE, to hang out with some of his own friends, and be the excellent emotional support golden retriever friend he is. Lance can’t thank him enough for that, it’s always hard to take care of Este alone.

They got absolutely trashed at the end of the year parties, going from one place to another, purposefully avoiding the Yankees and one Spanish driver. They know some pics will be bound to leak, but they don’t worry that much. After all; it was Seb’s retirement, they can and will use this excuse.

Anyway, once again, Este is having a hard time adjusting to this new relationship, or rather lack of thereof, he has with Fernando. He is pacing in Este’s hotel room, their favourite meetup point mind you, mumbling in his beard and sometimes moving his hands, as if he is Italian. Lance and Mick just patiently wait on the bed, for whatever their best friend wants to talk about now. For once, he seems pretty angry. Everything is better than a sad Este, Lance thinks, and soon regrets.

“I just don’t understand,” the French driver’s voice always gets that annoying Normand accent when he doesn’t mind it. “He leaves the team, without looking back, and doesn’t give a fuck about consequences. He ignores me, ignored his responsibilities towards the team, and then, as if the rain didn’t fell from the sky, after he changes teams, he comes back to me. He thinks I’m a fucking idiot.”

You’re an idiot, Lance thinks.

“Oh ta gueule, Lance, I perfectly know what you think. Anyway, he dares coming back towards me, that bastard dares to do that, and for what? Just for a ‘Hello, how are you doing?’ I swear to you two I will strangle him.”

Lance and Mick look at each other, now just a little concerned about Alonso’s safety.

“We’ll help you hide the body,” Lance jokes, eyes already glittering at the idea.

“Ta gueule, Lance,” Mick repeats, focusing on Este instead. “And you did you feel? Apart from the feeling of being taken as a joke, of course.”

“Je…” The French driver looks at the window, his brain freezing.

Then, Lance and Mick are the spectators of a man loosing all his composure, and crumbling. Este’s lips begin to tremble, his eyes are watering. Both German and Canadian driver immediately go to him, to reassure and cuddle him.

“I let him do, I let him say hello to me, I let him lie to me, I let myself imagine that, maybe, he’ll come back, that he is coming back, that all of this is just a nightmare, but no…”

Esteban is quietly crying on Lance’s shoulder.

“I thought it was a nightmare, and that he was coming back to wake me up, but no…”

The next day, when Lance sees Alonso again in the garage, he has to physically restrain him from punching the man. The Canadian has spend some time with Daniel, he got a little bit of UFC and MMA knowledge, he is certain the Spaniard will be the one hurting the most if Lance ever decks him, and not him, no matter how many times Mick insists he doesn’t know how to fight.

After some painful driving, they are in the garage, discussing whatever teammates and their race-engineers need to discuss. As always, Lance is propped against the wall, leaning on it because he’s tired. Alonso is close, far too close to his liking. As his own race-engineer, Ben, is talking to Chris, Alonso’s engineer, about some new wing features, Lance just stares at the man in front of him.

He knows he has his best bitchy and bored face on, and he does truly wonder if he can just hit the man from his position, without moving. Faking some stretchering, he tries out the distance, sadly for him, and happily for Alonso, Lance is still too far from his teammate.

You lucked out this one, but don’t think I won’t ambush you next time.

[leclerc-s]

i did something bad - part one

summary: in which charles leclerc has had enough of ferrari's shitty strategies and horrible moves on him. behind the scenes he signs a contract that'll change his career for the better. they say he did something bad, but if it's so bad then why does it feel so good?

NO MORE WASTING IT

masterlist//next

charles wasn’t sure what his breaking point had been with ferrari. maybe it had been the monaco grand prix or maybe it was the shitty strategies from his team. all he knew was that at some point he had grown sick and tired of it. those around him had noticed it too, his brothers being the firsts to notice. the passion he held for ferrari just wasn’t there, and if he was honest, he didn’t know who he was without being a ferrari driver. the next person to notice was teagan, when had entered his drivers room after particularly difficult race, which seemed like the norm for him now, and basically ripped himself out of his suit and fireproofs. she had looked at him with genuine curiosity before bringing up a subject charles never thought she would.

“checo’s retiring at the end of the year,” she softly said, as charles pulled on his red polo. his movements froze, “what?”

“checo’s retiring.”

“non, i heard you,” charles answered, “why would you tell me this?”

“if you want, the red bull seat is yours. daniel’s content with returning to alpha tauri at the moment. liam doesn’t have nearly enough experience and dad doesn’t think yuki’s ready yet. if you want it, it’s yours.”

“i’m with ferrari until after 2024, i can’t just leave, which i don’t want to.”

teagan sat up, running a hand through her blonde hair, “can you just be fucking selfish for once? just this once, please. we both know this isn’t what you want anymore. you’re sick of the shitty strategies and playing second fiddle to carlos. you’re wasting your talent here.”

“don’t bring sebastian up,” he warned. sebastian had been a difficult subject for them to talk about since his retirement. charles had looked up to the older driver and felt like he was to blame for the end of seb’s time at ferrari. he wasn’t but charles was nothing if not a martyr.

“i didn’t bring him up, you did. the seat’s yours, the opportunity for it wasn’t going to be there until 2025 but you should- just think about it. regardless of where you are, we both know your dad and jules will be proud of you.”

“don’t- do not go there.”

the blonde girl stood up, and walked to the door, “just- just don’t have any regrets.”

"how did it go?" checo questioned as the blonde girl walked into red bull hospitality. she frowned, "exactly how max predicted, he's a masochist."

"ferrari is his dream," her dad spoke up, "he feels like he's letting everyone down by not bringing the championship home to maranello."

"it's not about others, he's letting himself down, that's the problem. it's not about his dad, jules, or the tifosi," daniel pointed out, "he's il predestinato, he's the one who was supposed to bring the championship back to them. he was supposed to be the next sebastian vettel. those are some pretty fucking big shoes to fill."

max appeared, his arms crossed as he stood by the doorway, "he can still be il predestinato with red bull. sebastian was a red bull driver before he was with ferrari, he can still be the next sebastian vettel."

teagan laughed, "max, you are the next sebastian vettel."

"i'm max verstappen, not the next sebastian vettel."

"that's not what the internet thinks," daniel replied. max made a face at that and daniel couldn't help but laugh at his expression.

"well, we better figure something out and quick, the season will end before we know it." christian told them, "summer break is a couple of weeks away."

"he needs to talk to sebastian," checo told them. they turned to look at the mexican confused as to what he meant, "no one understands better than seb the position charles is in. and he looks up to him, he'll listen to him."

"sebastian is going to be at suzuka," christian said, "get him to talk to sebastian."

"i'm on it," teagan said, determination evident in her voice.

SUZUKA 2023

AUSTIN 2023

teagen horner created a new chat

teagan horner added 5 people to the chat

max verstappen why does he look like an angry cat in that picture?

daniel ricciardo doesn't he always look like a cat?

teagan horner no, he looks like lightning mcqueen.

max verstappen not for long or so we hope

sebastian vettel i believe the agreement was to create a groupchat when charles had been 'rescued'?

teagan horner it was but i saw charles walk into my dad's office. the anticipation is killing me. did it work? did we do it?

max verstappen after that shitshow by ferrari that not only cause him to lose his chance at a podium but also got him disqualified, i don't see why he wouldn't want to leave.

teagan horner dad! dad! dad! padre! father in a bunch of other languages i don’t speak!

daniel ricciardo you speak spanish? teagan horner i’ve learned a few cuss words from checo and nando sergio perez i haven’t taught you anything! teagan horner i’ve heard puta madre, vete a la verga, pinche madre, and worse come from you.

christian horner fucking shit a guy can’t sign a contract without you people blowing his phone up

daniel ricciardo WE FUCKING DID IT!

sebastian vettel this makes me wonder, would you people be this invested in getting charles away from ferrari if he weren’t dating teagan?

max verstappen he’s my emotional support rival, of course i would sergio perez what is it the young people say? game recognizes game? teagan horner he’s a talented driver and ferrari is massively fucking up, the answer is yes. christian horner i’ve been wanting him on the team since 2020, he just didn’t want to leave ferrari. something about the great sebastian vettel being on the team with him sebastian vettel shut up he didn't say that christian horner no, but being on the same team as you was one of the reasons. he also said he didn't feel confident in being able to get along with max. sebastian vettel now that i believe

daniel ricciardo added one person

daniel ricciardo CHARLES! WELCOME TO THE BEST FAMILY ON THE GRID

pierre gasly WHAT? WHAT IS HAPPENING? SOMEONE EXPLAIN!

alex albon HE'S FREE FROM THEIR CLUTCHES?! OH THANK YOU SEBASTIAN!

liam lawson i'm so confused

yuki tsunoda same

christian horner YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO SAY ANYTHING!

daniel ricciardo oops. teagan horner he's not remotely sorry about it. he's currently giggling and kicking his feet. max verstappen i can confirm

charles leclerc thanks? but how did you all find out so fast?

sergio perez christian told us

mark webber oh my god i thought sebastian was joking.

pierre gasly CHARLES MARC HERVÉ PERCEVAL LECLERC TELL ME YOU DIDN'T SIGN WITH RED BULL WITHOUT TELLING ME FIRST?!

max verstappen that's such a long fucking name charles leclerc i didn't sign with red bull without telling you first. charles leclerc i terminated my contract with ferrari for the next year without telling you first. i'm about to sign with red bull, there's your warning.

max verstappen why did i just hear alex shout war is over?

alex albon MY MAN IS FREE FROM FERRARI! THIS IS CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION!!!

charles leclerc i was under the impression that alex and pierre no longer got along with red bull. clearly i was wrong.

pierre gasly i'm happy where i'm at and max is a difficult teammate to beat. if i would've stayed in red bull i probably would've quit f1 at the end of the season. alex albon williams may not have the best car but i'm happy where i'm at. there's no better feeling than dragging that tractor into the points. daniel ricciardo we're one big family here at redbull charles. nothing is as it seems to the media.

mark webber i've tried getting away from them but every damn time they keep adding me.

liam lawson i'm here for a good time not a long time.

christian horner liam.

liam lawson i apologize, i am back to being a reserve. i had fun while it lasted.

teagan horner the only one not here is daniil, he was being an asshole to max so we kicked him out. he is forbidden from ever being added back. and carlos, but he left by choice once he joined ferrari

sergio perez congrats on making the move charles! you'll love it here, people actually listen to you.

yuki tsunoda i'm sure it's quite the upgrade from ferrari

charles leclerc you've all been waiting for this haven't you?

teagan horner i had no more forza ferrari's left in me after yesterday. alex albon since 2021 christian horner since 2020 sebastian vettel 100% pierre gasly since 2021 daniel ricciardo since i found out you were going to be with ferrari in 2019. i know it was the dream but i'd seen what it had been doing to seb and kimi, kinda didn't want that for you max verstappen i refuse to answer that question

charles leclerc all i got from that max likes me

MEXICO 2023

george russell are we going to talk about the elephant in the room?

carlos sainz what is there to talk about? charles is leaving and he told no one

charles leclerc was i supposed to? i’m not sorry about the choices i made carlos. if you were in my position you would’ve done the same.

carlos sainz i wouldn’t. there’s this thing called loyalty, i’m sure you and oscar know nothing about that matter

oscar piastri what the hell? how am i involved in this?

esteban ocon we get that you’re hurt carlos but that’s no reason to attack oscar like that.

lando norris what the fuck carlos?

logan sargeant realistically isn’t red bull a good career move for charles? if he wants to be wdc, like most of us do, red bull is the place to do it.

carlos sainz he’s only going to be second driver to verstappen, just like checo. he’s bound to be second place. max verstappen oh, i’m sorry, i didn’t know you sat in on red bull meetings. i’m first driver right now because i’ve been on the team longer than checo, the car was built for me. charles joining the team means we’ll have 2 first drivers, the team dynamic is going to change, get your head out of your ass sainz. you know nothing about the team.

oscar piastri if nobody’s going to come for my head again, can i ask why charles and not daniel? we were all under the assumption that daniel would take the seat and liam would join alpha tauri.

sergio perez because i suggested charles after talking to daniel. daniel ricciardo because christian’s had his eye on charles since 2020 and i'm quite happy at alpha tauri.

lewis hamilton well congrats to charles for making the move

george russell how much did it hurt to say that lewis? lewis hamilton i don’t want to talk about it.

max verstappen and congrats to carlos for finally becoming ferrari’s 1st driver. let’s hope they don’t treat you like 2nd driver now that you’ve been promoted. ferrari has a tendency of doing that.

alex albon

¡leclerc-s speaks! christian horner and redbull admin are completely to blame for my delusion and this entire fic, also that one tiktok edit i saw of redbull charles. alternatively, i was bitter about austin and this idea came to be but christian horner isn't helping my delusion.

¡disclaimer! this is in no way making assumptions about the people involved in this story, this is all fake. it is a fanfiction please don't take any of what is said seriously. this is all for entertainment purposes and as a creative outlet for me. enjoy!

[blorbocedes]

Hey! Not sure if you do brocedes prompts but just in case you do it would be amazing if you could write an AU where everything is the same except Lewis get stuck in an alternate timeline where nothing has changed except Nico who didn't grow up with him and is a young rookie eager to impress Lewis the 7 time world champion.

hi there anonstie 🥺 I saw this prompt in the morning and couldn't stop thinking about it....... since you said Lewis is a 7 time wc, but Nico is babby... that means Nico didn't win 2016 WDC so I made Seb win 2017 with Ferrari 😅 fanfic is truly the pinnacle of wishful thinking.

this is set at the start of 2022, where instead of George Russell, they bring in rookie rising talent Nico Rosberg. I hope you enjoy!!!

There was a crick in Lewis' neck when he woke up, and it got worse when he saw Nico Rosberg on the other side of the long Mercedes hallway, in the full black latest Mercedes suit.

What the fuck?

His hair was longer, like it once was, and whatever surgery he got done worked cause he didn't look so obviously plastic the way he did on TV. They barely made eye contact, Nico looked at him and immediately looked away; which was unusual for him. He usually preferred dragging it out and taking the win when Lewis looked away first.

He didn't have time for Nico's games, walking into Toto's office.

"So, what's he doing there?" Lewis asked, trying to keep his tone neutral, pointing at the hallway outside from the glass walls.

"I am glad you asked. As you know, we are looking to replace Valtteri, and have looked at multiple young candidates..." Toto starts.

Yeah, like Russell. Lewis was pretty sure he was locked, last he'd heard.

"And Nico Rosberg would be a perfect fit." Toto finished.

Hold on.

"You're joking, yeah? Very funny, Toto." Lewis says coolly, classic Austrian humour that doesn't land and isn't funny. Not sure they needed to go as far as getting Nico, and putting him in the latest suits but whatever.

"I am not, Lewis. Is there a problem?"

Lewis sputters, staring at Toto stone-faced. Did he forget the myriad of problems they had when these two were on a team together?

"Well, he hasn't driven an F1 car in years, for one. Seriously, Toto, what's going on? Is the company going under? What was wrong with Russell. I can't believe you're even looking at Nico as a serious candidate, that's nuts."

"While it's true he hasn't officially been in a Mercedes W-13 car, we've done a few practice sessions and he's been purple sectors all around. His results speak for themselves, GP3 champion, F2 champion. Quite frankly, if we don't pick him this season, Redbull and Ferrari have his eyes on him too. I don't understand, Lewis, you were all on board a few weeks ago. What is the issue now?"

Toto's gone mad. There's no way Ferrari and Redbull are fighting for a retiree, and why would he be bringing up feeder wins from a decade ago?! And a few weeks ago, they talked about Russell. Nico's not on the table, he never has been.

"Because it's Rosberg! You know what happened. Come on, Toto. This seriously isn't funny. The team doesn't need a repeat of 2016."

Toto frowns, at how emotional Lewis was getting. He hadn't been aware the two had any shared history, or even met yet.

"2016?" Toto asked, delicately.

"When Nico won and retired, after practically ripping the team apart." He had responsibility there too, but Toto had made it clear years after if he had to make that choice all over, he'd pick Lewis. So this, none of this, none of today made any sense.

"Lewis, you were World Champion in 2016." Toto said calmly, pointing at the wall of trophies behind them. "Up until today, Nico Rosberg has never even been in Mercedes premises."

And Lewis had a sick, sinking feeling of his world being uprooted as he pulled his phone out to google himself out of this elaborate prank and stared at the '2016 World Champion F1 - Lewis Hamilton.'

"Lewis..." Toto's voice is impossibly gentle. "It's normal for stress to get to anyone. And there is no shame is looking for help. Do you want to see our psychologist?"

x

If Lewis admits the truth, then he never gets to race again. No doctor would believe him, and no evaluation would give him the mental sanity checks to drive. So instead, he has this nightmare to deal with.

7 time World Champion still, apparently Vettel got the better end in 2017 with Ferrari after all, and apart from that everything is the same; the same Abu Dhabi call, the same Verstappen world champion. Everything except Nico Rosberg. Nico Rosberg who is now 23 -- whose Google results only show his rise in feeder series, son of world champion Keke Rosberg, F1 hopeful. If the real Nico had just one WDC to his name, this one has nothing. He's just a kid. Lewis rationalises that it's just a kid who looks remarkably similar to his Nico. Because by the time they were 23, Nico had already known him for two decades by then. This Nico looks at him with the same awe and adoration he's gotten used to from fans; knows the power of it an icon of the sport, and none of the easy familiarity -- that he used to leverage for closeness. Lewis hates it.

Lewis makes a commitment to avoid Nico as much as possible, just like his real counterpart. It's harder, when you're on the same team; and oh, does he have experience with that. Nico is on his best behavior around the engineers, trying to get as much data out of the W-13. The W-13 isn't acting the way it should, the porpoising is insane, and that becomes Lewis' number one priority. He doesn't have time to hold some rookie's hand through his first run. In the back of his mind, he does feel a twinge of guilt that he would've had that patience for Russell, probably, or anyone else because just seeing Nico's face -- all hopeful and shy like he was waiting to approach -- just made Lewis walk away faster, avoiding seeing it go crestfallen and disappointed.

Sometimes, though, this Nico behaves exactly like his Nico, and it sets Lewis off kilter. He laughs exactly the same way, nose crinkling. He still has that scar above his eyebrow that he got while unicycling with Lewis in Greece, Lewis laughing while Nico had tripped over a rock but then got very serious when he saw the blood, with Nico laughing at him later at how concerned he got; calling it a battle scar. He frowns at it during the team meeting, Nico catching his eye once or twice and quickly looking away not being able to withstand the intensity and the scrutiny of being pinned under the eyes of the World Champion.

"How'd you get that scar?" Lewis tried to ask as naturally as he could, when the meeting ended.

Nico went pink, embarrassed, scratching his neck. "Uh, a cycling incident. When I was a kid. Fell off my unicycle. Promise I have better balance now!"

"Course you did." Lewis said under his breath with venom, walking out.

Nico had sat there confused what he did wrong. That had been their first actual conversation outside of work.

He wants to treat Nico like any other teammate but he can't. It's Nico. He tensed up when he heard him speaking in German in the garage and heard his name mixed in with the Deutsche, back to his old tricks again.

The mechanics told him later Nico had been appreciating his drive, a tenth quicker than Nico's best.

They have a preseason testing session in the rain. It is disastrous. Half the cars send it to the wall, everyone spins at least once; a few engines fail. Nico spins at the same spot a puddle made the Alpha Tauri crash, but he catches the car in the time somehow, doing a perfect 360.

"Did you see that?" He grinned, walking out, completely drenched and high off the adrenaline of not crashing a multimillion dollar car -- taking his his helmet off, messy wet blonde hair.

Lewis nodded in approval. "Not too bad." They always did try to one up each other at practice, and once upon a time it used to be fun; both in far better cars than the rest of the team so only had each other for competition, and Nico would always come running, ask if he was watching.

Nico fucking beamed at him. The sheer genuine joy of it took Lewis aback more than the pace of the Ferraris which were five tenths faster.

The tension is palpable before the first race. They know what W-13 is capable of -- and until it gets fixed, they're probably not competing for wins. Still, the pressure to do the best, to be the best is always on. Nico is nervous, Lewis can tell -- he looks nauseous the whole time, doesn't talk to too many people, a frown ever present on his now wrinkle free face. It's weird, when Lewis joined Mercedes Nico had already been here, hell he'd been kick Schumi's ass and it was upto Lewis to prove his worth to the team. He remembers his first F1 race. The nerves are something.

On Friday, before practice, Nico had turned to him unusually determined, eyes bright, and outstretched his hand.

"I know you don't really like me, but I'm going to prove myself to the team. And I hope we can be good teammates." Nico says, trying hard to sound adult and mature about it while not being able to look at Lewis in the eye.

Lewis shakes his hand. "I don't not like you." It was the most he could offer. This Nico did nothing to him. Hell, even his Nico at 23 did nothing to them -- they had shared Nico's first ever podium; he still remembers how happy they'd been. It's strange to think of "his Nico" when Nico Rosberg is right there in front of him, in the flesh. His Nico no longer exists. Lewis can't blame him for a ghost that only exists to haunt Lewis' memories.

This Nico Rosberg, young and with everything to prove, was taken aback but recovered quickly, nodding along.

They qualified 5th and 8th.

It takes until way too long for Lewis to finish on a podium. This car is not easy to love. Nico finishes ahead of him in points, and it's laughable how familiar these headlines are -- except where it used to be childhood friends, it's now young talent versus old guard, the classic Rosberg - Hamilton battle. This time, it could be different. Lewis is older, and wiser, and knows when to hand his iPad to Angela. The words slide off him easier too, after 2021 few things had capacity to really get in his head anymore. He remembers what it's like to resent Nico performing better than him; he struggles to feel that way anymore.

They make it on a double Mercedes podium in France. Dragging this shitbox to P2 and P3 was no easy feat, especially with the defence Nico played behind while Lewis tried to catch up to Max -- an impossible feat with this pace. Lewis empties the entire bottle on Nico's head, who takes it like a champ. He had forgot, Nico was always a champagne boy.

In the darkened halls of the Mercedes afterparty -- finally, the team having something to celebrate, Lewis wasn't surprised when Nico's body found his. It was impossible to ignore the reality, that Nico was beautiful again forever seared like this in Lewis' memory, following him around with perpetual starstruck puppy dog eyes and hanging onto every scrap of praise Lewis doled his way. He hadn't grown into the edge yet, didn't know Lewis like the back of his hand to hurt him. Vivian Sibold is an interior designer in her late 30's who never met her husband in a sandbox in Ibiza. Lewis doesn't feel guilty about it, he didn't stop it from happening then and he can't quite remember why he should now when Nico's mouth meets his, clever hands finding their ways across, bodies pressed together.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck Lewis," Nico moaned into the kiss, still as uselessly talkative while hooking up. Lewis had the foresight to take it to the bathroom. Nico sinks to his knees, still so pretty, looking at him through the bangs of his blonde hair falling over his eyes that Lewis brushed away. "I've--I've fucking dreamed of this. I had posters of you on my wall."

Fuck.

Lewis puts himself in Nico's mouth to stop himself from talking further. He gags a bit, no Schumacher to break him in. Lewis closes his eyes and fists his hair, and tries not to think about that no matter which universe a teenage Nico Rosberg has always jerked off to the thought of him. Posters of Lewis, huh. Mika's gonna be heartbroken. The universe has a way of fucking with him, but Lewis Hamilton always comes out on top.

Here's Part Two

[cocosstories]

Sebastian Stan One Shot

And for Sebastian, can I request one where He is meeting reader’s parents, and reader’s father has doubts about the relationship although reader’s mother instantly lovessss him and at the end everything it’s prefect? Thank you so much! Sorry if this request is strange 🙏🏻

"Dad, you promised you would give him a chance."

You call out as you hear your dad complaining to your mother from the other room. 

"I know what I said, Y/N but that doesn't mean I have to like it!"

You sigh. Your boyfriend Sebastian was coming over to meet your parents and your father wasn't exactly excited to meet him. 

He had always been protective of you, overly protective if you were being honest.

Sure, Sebastian was a bit older than you, ok more than a bit but you didn't care and you couldn't understand why your dad did so much.

You were hoping that once he had met him and could see first hand how much he cared for you that he would get over whatever hangups he had and be nice to the man you loved. 

Easier said than done.

Your father is a proud man who doesn't change his mind very easily, even when he is wrong. No, especially when he is wrong. 

"Don't worry honey, I will keep your father in check."

Your mom promises, just as Sebastian arrives.

"Hi beautiful."

He smiles as you open the door and lead him inside.

"Mom, dad, this is Sebastian. Seb, these are my parents Y/M/N, Y/D/N."

You introduce them, eyeing your dad nervously as he shakes Sebastian's hand.

"It's nice to meet you sir, ma'am."

He smiles.

"So nice to meet you too, Sebastian."

Your mom says, before nudging your dad who is glaring at the man standing next to you. 

"Uh, right, nice to meet you."

Your dad grunts out then goes back to his ballgame in the livingroom. 

"Mom.."

You groan, gesturing towards the livingroom.

"I know, he will lighten up once we eat."

She says, patting your arm as she walks by to set the table. 

Sebastian pulls you into his arms. 

"It will be fine babe. Even if he never likes me, it won't change how I feel about you."

You look up into his eyes and kiss him softly, knowing he was right, even if your dad never changed his mind, you and Sebastian were happy and in love, nothing was going to change that. 

Soon enough, dinner was ready and you all sat down to eat. 

"So, you're an actor? Not really a steady job is it?"

Your father finally says after a few minutes.

"Dad!"

"No, it's ok baby. You're right sir, acting isn't always the most steady work but I have been luckier than most."

Sebastian replies calmly. 

"Sebastian is an amazing actor and has been cast in many big roles over his career."

You add in, glaring at your father. 

"We saw you in those Captain America movies, remember Y/D/N? He played the soldier guy?"

Your mom says, patting her husbands arm, your dad grunting an incoherent answer.

"Sir, if I may, I know that you don't know me very well and you are skeptical of me. Because of my work or the age difference between me and Y/N but you need to know, I love your daughter. I love her with my whole heart and I intend on spending my life with her. Now, I would really like it if for Y/N's sake, you and I could come to some understanding but I can see that you are a proud man and protective father. I respect that and I respect you. You can say whatever you want to me, drill me with questions and insults but that won't change how I feel about her. So, bring it on. I can take whatever you throw at me, she is more than worth it."

You swear you could knock your father over with a feather when Sebastian finished his speech, your mom beaming at you. 

The table was quiet for a while after that as everything that had been said was taken in.

"Yeah, well, if Y/N is happy then I guess that's that."

Your dad says before getting up from the table to retire back to his recliner.

"Did he just accept us?"

You ask your mom almost in shock. 

"That's about as close as you will get to it."

Your mom nods.

"At least for now. I will work on him, though."

She adds, reaching across the table to pant Sebastian's hand. 

The two of you leave soon after, heading back to your apartment which wasn't too far. 

"That actually went better then I thought it would."

You say, changing into your pajamas.

"I told you, babe, I have a way with parents."

Sebastian shrugs as you climb into bed with him. 

"Oh yeah, I'm pretty sure you and my dad will be BFF's in not time."

You giggle, shaking your head, thankful to have a man who would do anything, even stand up to your dad, to make you happy.

[sebskmjcgall]

/Kinda nsfw head canon of Sebchal???/

I have this crazy idea of Seb being a bored and retired divorcée, then someone (read: Jenson Button) gave him the idea of starting a blog. But not just any kind of blog, it's blog in a site called OnlyFans. Seb was only told by Jenson that he could earn money by posting photos/videos of himself.

("Oh come on, Seb! You're going to be such a big hit!")

At first Seb hadn't even considered it because he never really understood why people wanted to pay to see someone's photo/video. But curiosity got the best of him and he started to do research. Turns out there's many people out there who's willing to pay for the weirdest things, like photos of your feet or even armpit! (No offense to those who has that kind of kink tho!)

What Seb finds interesting is the liberation the creators had over their content and how sweet the comments were. He came across a creator who cross dressed in female lingerie and got so many sweet praises from his "fans". Weirdly, Seb feels jealous of the creator's confidence and his loving fans' adoration.

Seb started to think about Jenson's words over and over again before finally, he swallowed his pride and started the blog with the bio simply saying "exploring new things. Always up for a suggestion".

Seb tried many things he thought he'd never do before. Such as cross dressing, high heels, lingeries, and many other kinks! He finds some that likes and some he didn't, but it definitely spiced up his boring retired life. He posted his pictures, videos and gained a loyal amount of subscribers that always praised him and even sent him large amount of tips in his posts. Some even went as far as asking for his address so they could send him gifts!

Seb decided that he likes being on OnlyFans despite not showing his face. But other than that, life goes on normally outside of it.

That is until one day, he was invited to an FIA Gala for reunion (idk if this is actually a thing but let's pretend it is) and he had wanted to try a daring challenge that one of his subscribers had suggested, which is wearing a slightly over the top suit with lingerie underneath it. The challenge was simple, slip away from the gala and then take a picture of him stripped out of the suit and in his lingerie without getting caught.

Seb had come to the FIA Gala dressed to impress and shooketh everyone. Lewis Hamilton? Mark Webber? Even the iceman Kimi? You name it. They probably gawk over the retired F1 driver who changed so much in less than a year after his retirement and bitter divorce.

Many people, sponsors, executives, team principals, and drivers wanted to speak with him. Seb feels amused by their attention and the drivers were his favorite, because they almost turn tomato red when they noticed the red lingerie bra he wore that showed when he is bending or lowered his torso too much or if he said something not 'seb-like'.

Seb gets reminded of the challenge and eventually started to slip away from the crowd. He slipped into the bathroom and started to strip until he's clad in nothing but the red lingerie set with long matching stockings. He took a few pictures in a few angle and felt even more aroused by the fact that anyone could walk in on him. Seb was about to wear his suit once, and when he's about to put on his top, someone walked in and saw Seb in a red lingerie bra.

And that someone happens to be Charles.

Theres so many ways that this head canon could go but what do you think would happen lol? 👀

[maxemilianverstappen]

In need of an opinion of an unapologetic Seb fan!! I’ve seen tons of people defend Lewis in his performances this year (especially since George is carrying the same car to top 5 finishes) by saying that he, as a 7 time world champ, is getting used to the car. Did people defend Seb the same way in 2014? I mean, cmon, 2014 is a way bigger regulation change compared to this year. Plus everyone, no matter the team, this year is getting used to a new car and very few on the grid experienced a big change in the cars. I, personally, think we started to see Mercedes struggle last year bc they no longer had the fastest car and actually had to race and use good strategies. I don’t think it’s a fair play to excuse Lewis bc he “isn’t used to having a non race/title winning car”. Back to my original thought, I feel like Seb never got the same defense even though he had won 4 titles in a row and it’s disappointing. Especially this year when all anyone keeps talking about Seb is that he must be retiring soon or how he’s so old and is is the grid dad. Sorry if this is jumbled!! I can’t exactly get my thoughts in a line right now. Just upset that Seb scored points in his 2nd race of the season in the actual slowest car and no one is acknowledging how amazing that is

Hello, Anon! I wasn't on Tumblr in 2014. But from the media coverage of that year, it was clear that people were having org*sms over Daniel finding that car easier to drive than Seb and beating him. For some reason, as if Seb personally came and ruined their lives, most people hated Seb for those 4 years of WDCs. So, you can certainly feel that sense of sick glee in the twitter posts and news site posts of the past. When it comes to other drivers, people provide endless leeway for their failures, like saying how they need to adapt to the car, how they are not used to such and such, how they need time.... But we both know how, for example, Daniel struggled last year massively because he couldn't adapt, how Lewis is struggling currently, because the car is possibly not to his liking... People even started to say stuff about how Max's driving style might not be suitable to this year's Red Bull. Like how Charles struggled with last year's car, sometimes finding it not responsive enough.

So, it should be by now clear that these are in the end machines and some people use some machines better than the others, but it doesn't mean the ones who aren't able to use those machines in the same efficiency are dumb or talentless.

So, when the fans and the media people and the so called pundits hunt down Seb like some bloodhounds for stuff that everyone, even the best of the best, struggle with, then there is ill intent and maliciousness there.

These people don't lose their talent race to race, season to season. Especially with different set of regulations and different development/production principles, it takes time to adapt to these changes or find the sweet spot. But for people like Seb, even if you are just 25 years old or 30 years old, it doesn't matter. This has nothing to do with his age. People just hate him and hate his success.

Also, @the people who are shitting on Seb for the silly season rumours, saying he is washed up, saying he is slow, finished etc... Checo deserves that seat more than everyone else, yes. But it doesn't mean just because you are angry at a rumour, you can say shitty stuff about Seb.

When everyone learns how to enjoy/defend/explain sth without smearing mud on something else, this place will be better.

[effervescentdragon]

sebchal, the way thierry was THE SEB fan in ROC, posting seb in his insta, gushing about and unable to stay away from seb in the live videos.. for the mean prompts ofc

one thing you have to know about me is that i am physically unable to write a mean sebchal without a hea resolution actually

neuville seems nice

Seb stares at Charles' last message. It hasn't been that long since it came in. Ten minutes or so. Seb was changing into casual clothes for the final party, before he is due back in Switzerland.

Home, he reminds himself. It's home. You're going home. You're retired, and you're going home. You're going to rest, and figure out what you want to do. Home. Alone.

He doesn't even know why he keeps texting with Charles. They aren't - they aren't really friends. They aren't anything, really. Haven't been anything for a long time, if ever.

It was just that Seb saw an advert with Charles' face in the Middle of Nowhere, Denmark on his way to ROC, and before he knew what he was doing, he sent the picture to Charles with some silly caption.

(It said I can't get rid of you even in the Middle of Nowhere, Denmark. Charles had responed okay but do you want to, and then with an excited question about the F1X specs, and Seb ignored the first part and replied to the second, and he would've said that was Charles' plan, but he knew Charles. That was more something Seb himself would do on purpose. Not Charles.)

So they've been texting non-stop throughout ROC, and Charles even tuned in for some of the races. When Seb texted him either he, or F1X was on, really. They texted about car specs, and the difference between rally and F1 cars, and how easy it was to drive the Polaris. They texted about racing, really, and it was okay. It was nothing special. It was just a thing, a break from the insanity. Neither of them replied immediately every time, and it was casual, and fun, and okay. Seb even choked at Charles' mean joke about Team GB being out immediately. It was okay, and it was fine, and as soon as ROC was done - as soon as Seb stopped racing - it would be done too. And that was okay.

Sebastian should've known it wouldn't be that easy with Charles. It never was, and he didn't know why he thought this would be different. Charles always went for the fucking gap. When Sebastian forgot what the gap even was, Charles went for it until it was suddenly right in front of Seb, too narrow for him to do anything but let Charles pass him.

Sebastian thinks about replying He is nice, or He is better than you at sucking cock, or His eyes look just like yours when they're in the sun, or He is even nicer than he seems, or just ignoring the message altogether, and deleting the whole conversation, and blocking Charles' number. He could do it. It wouldn't be the first time he did something like it. It wouldn't even be the first time he did it to Charles. He could delete everything that even reminds him of Charles. He could change his phone, and his phone number even, and forget all about it. He is retired, and he's going home, and he isn't racing anymore, and him and Charles aren't friends. They aren't anything.

"Fuck," he swears out loud. "Fuck - fuck!"

He sits down on his bed and puts his head in his hands. They are shaking, he feels them shaking, and he pulls on his curls to calm himself down. The phone is still alight next to him, Charles' message open.

Sebastian is not a racing driver anymore. He's retired. It's all behind him, it has to be. It's not who he is anymore. He never has to go for the gap anymore. There is no gap anymore.

There never has to be a gap anymore.

"Still a World Champion," he whispers into the empty room. "Still the youngest fucking World Champion they ever had."

He grabs for his phone with steady hands.

Do you want to come to Switzerland next week?

The reply comes immediately this time.

yes :)

"Fuck you," he says out loud, then laughs. It feels as light as the Polaris number 16 he drove over the weekend. "Fuck you, Charles Leclerc, you little shit."

He keeps smiling as he finally leaves the room to go to the party.

[holdmyhopeinyourhands]

I feel like you’re not understanding what I’m trying to say at all and that this has spiralled ridiculously.

The only point I wanted to raise in the beginning is that I find it amusing that Lewis fans are all so supportive of George for now, but I’d love to see how that changes if they end up fighting at Mercedes. I’m not saying they all need to adore George if he’s up against their favourite driver, but they really ought to still treat him with some ounce of respect.

I’ve literally witnessed people on Twitter in full support of Nico/Lewis as teammates in 2013, but by 2014 as soon as Nico tried to stick up for himself on track they felt the need to call him a nazi.

I’m not using this as an opportunity to dismiss any of the vile racism Lewis has experienced or pretend he hasn’t been the subject of so much sickening online abuse, but I can acknowledge that and still call out his toxic fanbase for

Let’s not even try and bring the booing into this as if it wasn’t the same people booing Nico all throughout 2014-16 for absolutely no reason. He couldn’t even leave the garage at Silverstone without being booed. It’s unnecessary and it’s vile, but we cannot complain about it happening to one driver without admitting it’s the same fans who were doing it to their rivals.

We're not going to see eye to eye on this so I'm ending it here. I feel that you're not understanding the point I'm making either. Lewis fans are supporting George because why wouldn't they. Also, not all Lewis fans supporr George and not all Lewis fans even like George. I'd wager majority don't give two shits about my guy half my mutuals don't like George and half of them do) we're not one unite contrary to your popular belief. And we don't all support him just to turn and hate on him. But talking about those who do support him now, of courde they will likely not support him when he is fighting Lewis for the title because why should they. You are arguing that George will get some kind of terrible abuse by Lewis fans because apparantly Lewis fans that don't support George will turn vile and disgusting. Oh and by the way yet again you're refusing to acknowledge what Nico fans were doing back then? Did Nico not have any fans? Were they super sweet to Lewis? Answer the questions and stop dodging it. Ive answered yours but you have yet to answer a single of mine and this is again the first time you have brought up racism because surprise surprise I said it. You are arguing in bad faith. Not answering whether Nico's fans were innocent in all of this. Deliberately never mentioning how Nico did manipulative shit that every fan in the fandom seems to be aware off and has brought up (not that Lewis was innocent in all of it either) which could be a reason why the Lewis fans didn't like him. You have also said Seb was abused by Lewis fans while ignoring what Seb fans might have done until it was brought up. You literally could give zero shits about the abuse Lewis faces you just want me to agree with you that Lewis fans are the worse and every other driver never had a fandom and were just hanging around being abused by Lewis fans.

Also stop saying "sticking up for himself" for God's sake. Nico was racing Lewis just as hard every year they raced against each other from the very beginning or does Nico saying so himself (in countless youtube videos) go against your argument? It's not Lewis's fault he was better than him. Nico put everything he got and more into that final season (which he again has talked about but I guess that doesn't fit your narrative either) to the point where he felt like he couldn't do this again and retired. It had nothing to do with sticking up for himself. Stop putting words in his mouth and actually listen to Nico!

Again acting like getting boed in one race (like lewis getting booed in germany) equities to getting booed on nearly every track.

I'm not going to argue with you because arguments like this with people that argue the way you do leads nowhere.

Goodnight.