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They said Checo leaving didn’t change much. Sure Milton Keys got a little quieter, loosing the bit of culture it had. Instead of loud Mexican music that everyone seemingly liked, it was wind blowing through the trees that filled the air. Max didn’t laugh too often anymore, his racing seemed much more important more than ever. Horner even shut his mouth for once, sitting at his desk, hands hovered over keys as he realized that people were going to start finally seeing the holes in his team, the size of someone’s empathic heart. A simple Checo Perez.
But no, nothing had changed in RedBull. Liam stumbled around as he talked his inconsiderate head off. Max didnt really like Liam and not because of Checo, he really believes that. He laughs with him still, because RedBull is the love of his life and anyone willing to join, to wear the badge over their heart and race until they’ve lost all self respect, is a friend.
So no, nothing had changed in RedBull. Drivers swaps were normal, of course. Even as early as two races, Max didn’t agree with this sentiment at all but it’s his sorrows to weep, so, who cares? Who cares that Max is watching the team of his life, someone willing to bring him in and harbor so much love for him, throw Liam to the curve?
He spun around, crashed, but that shouldn’t have been it. Yeah, he was also a major dick, but they kept Helmut didn’t they?
RedBull hadn’t changed, not one bit. Sure, they were missing their other bull, they simply weren’t interested in having a functional team apparently. When Max looks at Yuki, Checo’s face starts to appear, if he speaks to him long enough, he even starts to sound like him.
The team wasn’t looking for progress, they were hoping these driver swaps would point away from the horrible car, you know, the thing they’re suppose to be winning in?
It didn’t work as well as it did with Checo, did it? Max thinks to himself as Horner smacks his lips, trying to think of the newest excuse.
He feels restless, a new sense of exhaustion, and all he wants right now is a friend. Yuki is enough, always been an extraordinary driver and a RedBull second seat is anybodies dream but for now those lay rest.
Max’s face grows red, sucking In his breath to feel the cool in his lungs. RedBull was right, it didn’t change. Sure the drivers were different, but the car was the same piece of shit it had always been. Failing to keep itself on track, to get results, to even be considered a car. McLaren was a rocket ship, RedBull was lucky they were still even considered a team.
While Lando cried about his, just, awful car, Yuki was losing his credibility. It was a recipe for disaster, it was always going to fail. There was no love for RedBull, not for it’s drivers, it’s car, not even for it’s owners.
Max steps out onto the cool patio, closing the door quietly as to not wake Kelly. He has a race but his nerves won’t let him sleep, the car won’t drive and he’s simply not ready to face it.
He had promised himself to keep in touch with Checo even in his departure, this was it happening. Even if it was for selfish gain, to talk about how shitty RedBull is knowing that Sergio was probably in a loving embrace with family, so far past the stuff that held him down. Lucky for Max, he wasn’t the same.
Max had never smoked but he still inhales against the cold air to feel a sting.
“Hola Max,” Checo’s distant voice is heard. It’s probably day time over there, sun at its highest.
“Hola Checo,” Max scratches his throat, feeling the warmth of the other man, even over the phone.
“What time is it for you?”
Max looks back at Kelly,
“It’s, 4:55am.”
Checo whistles, he can hear him clicking his tongue, disproving.
Max smiles, just taking in the sounds of the other man.
“Max, why? You need as much sleep as you can get, you’re not working out, are you?”
“No, not working out. Just, I couldn’t,”
His words are hard to find.
“Couldn’t sleep.”
Checo is quiet on the other side.
“I’m sorry, I know, you shouldn’t have to be worried about what’s going on in RedBull.”
More silence, fuck, he fucked up didn’t he?
“Yeah, so, how is it? You know? Spending time with family?”
“It’s good.”
Short, yeah, Max had fucked up.
Still, they talked for the rest morning, Max even let Horner catch a sound of his voice, knowing it’d piss him off.
When he gets to Yuki, they even share a few words, and that’s where Checo finally says his goodbyes.
“You really miss him, don’t you?” Yuki said, taking off his sunglasses.
He swallows, trying not to point out the irony in the action.
Max said he didn’t care who he was driving with, that the driver next to him didn’t matter, as long as they pulled results.
RedBull was infamous for its lying, wasn’t it?
“Yeah, I guess I do.”
They both share a similar look of distress.
Sergio would know what to do, he always did.
Max pulls at his hair, nails running through his scalp down to his cheek bone, leaving peeled skin to see. It was frustrating, this team, the bosses, of course the fucking car.
The car, the fucking car.
He isn’t proud to admit he cried tears of frustration, banging his hands on his head, trying to figure out what was so wrong with everything.
Four time World Champion but it wasn’t showing, sure he pulled a screamer in Japan but that wasn’t going to win them anything. Great, we won a trophy for himself and scored some nice points, what was Horner going to do to improve the car?
“Checo,” Max holds the phone close to his ear.
“Max.”
Even though Max had called, he seemed lost on conversation.
“Do you miss me that much?” Checo asks, jokingly but the tone is sincere.
When Max looks at RedBull, he feels content. Sure, they had been assholes and it was more corporate than family, but it doesn’t mean they didn’t take the time to make Max feel loved.
Love was sacred, held high, it wasn’t easy to give. Max wasn’t easy to love, and his love was hard to be proud of, still, they found that little space in between.
Checo had learned to not only love Max, but RedBull, even in its current state. That was harder than winning any world championship.
Max’s loyalties lie with Oracle Red Bull Racing,
“I do.”
but some days he thinks it’s with Sergio.