Work Text:
In those final laps, in the last moments of the race… Charles Leclerc, driver of Scuderia Ferrari, was drastically closing the gap to Lando Norris.
In that moment, Lando was the world champion, with Max Verstappen just two points behind him. But as the blood-red Ferrari grew closer and closer, the tension inside the papaya garage only got heavier.
Even with an inferior car, no one dared to bet on what the Ferrari driver might pull off to secure a podium in the last race of the year.
At the same time, the Dutch driver leading the race was feverishly asking his race engineer how things were between Charles and Norris. GP updated him every lap that Leclerc was cutting the gap.
Final lap. DRS zone.
CHARLES LECLERC OPENS THE REAR WING! MAX VERSTAPPEN LEADS THE RACE. THE GODS OF MOTORSPORT WATCH AS THE FIGHT FOR THIRD TIGHTENS. IF CHARLES LECLERC OVERTAKES, MAX VERSTAPPEN IS WORLD CHAMPION… HE GOES AROUND THE OUTSIDE… AROUND THE OUTSIDE… CHARLES LECLERC OVERTAKES LANDO NORRIS AND SECURES A PODIUM… MAX VERSTAPPEN CROSSES THE FINISH LINE… THE DUTCH LION CLAIMS HIS FIFTH CONSECUTIVE TITLE AND OVERTAKES LANDO NORRIS IN THE STANDINGS. WHAT AN UNEXPECTED TURNAROUND IN THE FINAL LAP!
Max asks GP what’s happening behind him, and GP tells him to wait… “Piastri got through… OH MY GOD, MAX… CHARLES PASSED NORRIS… YOU’RE THE WORLD CHAMPION, KID!”
The young Red Bull driver can’t believe what he just heard. Everything that happened throughout the season flashes before his eyes. All the problems, all the struggles… the comeback, the climb in the standings. God, it was over 100 points! All he can do is thank the team for everything they did for him… it was simply lovely.
After the cooldown lap, in the middle of tears and celebration, he spots Leclerc ahead of him. The Ferrari driver who had always been part of his life since their karting days. The guy who had just helped secure his fifth title.
It feels like everything around him slows down. Max can only focus on Charles, celebrating the podium with his team despite the terrible season they’d had.
Verstappen walks up to him, ignoring everyone else around, and pulls him into a hug that feels like it recharges every bit of energy he didn’t even realize he’d lost. Charles startles at first, but soon returns the affection, congratulating the Dutchman on the championship.
Soon enough, they’re forced to separate—after all, there’s a world champion here.
The podium is beautiful; nothing compares to the feeling of winning a world title on the final lap. Max will always be grateful to Charles, and Charles knows it.
The affection between them is obvious, their happiness completely genuine.
Max and Charles. Charles and Max. Teammates who aren’t on the same team.