Chapter Text
Arvid's Notes App
Jan 01, 2026
The start of 2026.
Just 3 more months before my debut race in F1.
As of recent, we've been preparing a lot, testing out simulators, car models, understanding the new rules and everything. But honestly, I think the best part was Liam.
Pre-season’s been way more enjoyable than I expected. Spending so much time with Liam helped me calm my nerves a bit. It’s still weird thinking he’s my teammate now instead of someone I only saw at race weekends and filming days.
Back then, the only times we ever actually interacted was during the VCARB videos. Now, it's much more. But being his teammate will probably bring a lot, considering we'll be together most of the time. I'm honestly pretty excited.
I always somewhat looked up to him, so being able to be alongside him everyday feels different, in a good way.
March 08, 2026
Not really the best in keeping a journal, ha. Sometimes I wonder how people manage to write every day...
Today was great for my first race! Managed to finish in P8, unfortunately Liam scored out of the points. Something happened with his car and Perez.
Of course, my team's been really great this week. Everyone's easy to talk to and be around. Hopefully it'll stay like this for the rest of the season.
Also, we've been making a lot of new VCARB social media content lately. Funny to admit, but I've been starting to enjoy it because Liam somehow makes it fun. Can't wait for another one in a few hours...
March 16, 2026
I’m in a surprisingly nice environment for such a competitive sport.
I forgot my water bottle after the briefing today… didn’t even notice until Liam handed it back.
Nice guy.
March 29, 2026
Qualifying was so good, but as it is, finished out of the points... again. At least Liam got some points for the team.
It’s pretty crazy how fast routines form, honestly.
I mean, we will have training and filming times together from time to time but... it’ll take a while to get used to not having my teammate nearby.
April 10, 2026
Kinda odd not having Liam around. Which is weird, considering we've only been around each other everyday for a month.
April 17, 2026
Hope I break my streak of finishing out the points in the next races. I've been thinking about it a lot lately.
April 23, 2026
It's pretty refreshing meeting Liam again, even if it's from time to time. F1 really makes you get used to your teammate being a part of your lifestyle, innit?
April 30, 2026
Usual race schedule starting again soon.
I'm both excited and not. I can't wait to actually start racing again, prove myself and show how I've improved, but at the same time I'm already starting to miss how simple and chill the break was.
Eh, that's how things work in F1, I guess.
May 4, 2026
Finished out the points again. Doesn't help either that Liam ended up in an early retirement due to a collision with Gasly.
Pretty tough week honestly, hope it gets better.
May 5, 2026
Ended up checking Miami out with Liam after everything.
The kayak part was pretty fun. If we didn’t constantly shout at each other, that is.
Ha!
I mean, I was being reasonable. The boat almost flipped. Entirely his fault, I swear.
May 25, 2026
Probably the worst race yet, DNS. Liam's P7 makes up for it, though.
——————
I'm back, feeling a lot better. Liam's great when it comes to brightening days.
Don’t know why a lot say otherwise. He’s a great guy.
May 30, 2026
I’ve been trying to think otherwise, but Liam’s been acting off lately? Something like… his head’s in the clouds a lot as of recent. A tad bit more reserved, too. Maybe he’s tired?
But then again, it’s been going on for almost a week. I should ask him about it if it still goes on until next week.
May 31, 2026
Been watching onboard clips a lot lately. I never noticed how calm and level-headed Liam is during races.
I mean, not calm exactly, but compared to the others, it makes sense saying that.
Or maybe I’m just biased. I don’t know.
June 2, 2026
His driving skills are actually crazy, now that I analyze them.
Man…
It’ll take some effort to reach that level.
June 4, 2026
Didn’t want to write about this, but here I go.
Remember when I said Liam was acting weird a few days ago? It’s gotten more noticeable.
He’s usually on autopilot now. Sometimes it feels like he’s just talking to me for the sake of it. I can’t tell.
Also almost called me Isack today. Makes sense, the two seemed pretty close.
June 7, 2026
I really underestimated Liam and Isack’s bond a lot, huh? He talks about him a lot.
Can’t really explain it, but it feels a little odd sometimes.
It’ll pass. Well… I hope so, at least.
Today was a great race for the both of us, though. Bit annoyed that he placed higher than me, but at least we both did our job for the team.
June 11, 2026
We tried doing some laser tag… don’t think I’ll ever recommend that again. He’s too precise, and every time I try to snipe him he manages to get me first!
I think sometime in the life, he’s too competitive.
June 14, 2026
He called me Isack. Uh, fully this time.
Took him a while to realize, haha. Does F1 give you this level of closeness with your teammates? I do wonder myself.
The week was also mid, at best. Great speed and all, but I still finished behind Liam. Ugh…
There really are levels to this.
June 16, 2026
Jesus, he’s too good. It makes me feel two things at once.
Inspiration and admittedly… jealousy.
Really need to increase my competitive spirit and step up. Then maybe things won’t feel so… one-sided?
June 25, 2026
Have I ever talked about how I’m learning how to skateboard? Hm, don’t think I did.
It’s been way more calming as of recent. Never knew I needed something that had nothing to do with F1.
ALSO I landed my first kickflip today!!! After countless torture trials…
I wonder if anyone in the grid knows how to skate too.
June 28, 2026
Weird race today. Team’s not very… happy with me.
I got told to hold position, did otherwise.
I mean, it’s just racing, eh? Isn’t that what we’re here to do?
——————
Fuck. I don’t know.
July 1, 2026
I kinda miss the freshness of the start of the season.
Maybe something’s just changing about me. Or everyone is changing and I’m not.
So confusing…
July 3, 2026
Maybe I’m just trying too hard to fill shoes that weren’t meant to be mine.
——————
I cooled off for a bit.
????? What am I saying??? I’m not even halfway through the season, I got this. I know I do.
July 4, 2026
Not even race day, and it was already so exhaustingly eventful.
I managed to arrive at the bus early, took the window seat and listened to some music.
After a while, I looked to my right and saw Liam. Exchanged some small talk and all.
I thought that this would finally be a good time to smooth things out for real now. We haven’t really had a proper conversation since Austria… haven’t filmed videos together in a while, either.
My work in progress reconciliation script was cut off when I was hit with a:
“Hey, Arvid. Mind swapping seats?”
Hi, Isack. Incredible timing.
“Oh… yeah. You alright with that?”
Still looking out for everyone else, Liam.
“Yeah, no problem. Who are you beside?”
Oscar(Piastri)-worthy performance, Arvid!
… Well.
At least Gabi’s company was good enough for me to almost forget about it.
——————
Tense sprint race today… for Liam and Isack. Just the same old for me again.
Didn’t catch and watch much, but the two have been going at it for a couple of laps. Liam finished ahead, but nearly got a penalty for defending too aggressively.
He was let off with a warning after Isack backed him up.
Surprising. If I were him, I’d probably fight my way to give him that penalty.
… Nah, I wouldn’t.
I’m just being petty at this point.
July 5, 2026
Probably one of my closest fights with Liam, if not the most.
Shame my car had some sort of deployment issue.
Although…
I think I’m getting there. Not quite yet, but closer than expected.
Pretty good result for a home race, too.
——————
WHY am I trying to act nonchalant?????
P7!!!!!!!!!!!! P SEVENNNNNNNNNNN
MY SECOND(?) BEST CAREER FINISH!!!!
A REALLY GOOD result for my first season, especially in my home race, especially in the track I’ve wanted to race at the most, AND especially despite the car issue!
Wonder what the future has for me now.
This is one of first times I’ve been genuinely excited all year.
YOUGOTTHISARVIDYOUGOTTHISARVIDYOUGOTTHISARVIDYOUGOTTHISARVIDYOUGOTTHISARVID
July 7, 2026
Managed to land 2 kickflips this time!
I should probably stop trying out tricks before race weekends, though.
God knows what could happen.
… Nah, I’ll make it.
July 9, 2026
Is it just me or are they making us film a lot less videos together?
Eh, don’t blame them. Everyone’s been pretty busy lately. Or maybe they’re out of ideas? Can’t tell.
Real talk though, I do miss when talking to Liam didn’t have to be something I’d think through.
That could be the issue, or I’m just overthinking this pretty badly.
July 10, 2026
Make Me a Better Man - Malcom todd (Lyrics)
(play it while reading)
Had the craziest dream today… I don’t even remember what it is, thankfully. I just know it was crazy.
July 11, 2026
Spoke too soon, we filmed a pretty funny challenge today.
Guess things aren’t as bad as I thought they’d turn out to be.
——————
If I drive harder and keep talking to him, could we go back to the way it was before?
Sure hope so.
July 12, 2026
Today was great, things seem to be going okay now.
Must’ve been overthinking it.
Liam tried to teach me some guitar, do note tried. At first I thought it was like… learning hieroglyphics, but I guess not. It’s surprisingly way easier.
Or maybe Liam’s just really good at teaching it. He’s been playing it since he was a child, innit?
Time went by real fast today too, for some reason. Weird.
July 13, 2026
I finally remembered the dream.
… Would’ve been better if I didn’t. I only remember bits of it, thankfully.
We weren’t… er… teammates anymore. That’s about it.
And every time I looked at Liam, something felt… odd? Good thing I woke up before figuring out what it was.
July 14, 2026
Went around Stavelot today with Liam and some of the drivers.
Inconveniently, it rained out of nowhere. Thankfully, Liam brought an umbrella (for some reason?). Not like it could fit 2, but it’s the thought that counts, I guess.
Think he offered it to me first before opening it himself… why do I even remember that?
We both messed around and got wet either way. ‘Twas a fun night.
July 15, 2026
Nevermind.
I remembered what felt wrong.
I was… I couldn’t remember what his face looked like.
July 16, 2026
Malcolm Todd is crazy relatable.
Thank Liam for introducing him, I don’t think I’ve ever listened to an artist make songs that describe my life that perfectly.
I’ve been trying to learn my favorite song from him, ‘Make Me A Better Man’ on the guitar… bit more challenging than I expected it to be, though.
Or maybe Liam’s just a good teacher.
Wait i just got a notification
——————
Today was nice, I mean not for a while but I’ll talk about what happened first.
The notification I was talking about was from Liam, he asked if I could go with him to an amusement park because his friend had something to do at the last minute.
He picked pretty good rides, too bad none of us won the bet and screamed, pft.
I mean, he did during the horror house, but he said it didn’t count because it wasn’t a ride. Aw.
Almost choked me that time though…
can’t say I didn’t enjoy it. HAHAHAHAHAHA I’M KIDDING
Although there was one thing that kinda took the feeling away… I don’t know why.
When we were both about to order, he asked me, “Hey Isack, whatcha wanna get? … Ah—shit, sorry. Arvid.”.
Why’d I even… ha. Of course that would happen. Everything was just a taste before I’d get hit with it again, huh?
It’s been flashing at me since the start. So that’s all I am? The second option? The closest thing available?
Ha. Ha ha ha. So that’s why everything felt too good.
Why can’t I be
July 18, 2026
Still can’t get the chord switching fast enough, I should really ask someone who knows how to play the guitar for some help.
But hey, at least I’m managing to sing along while playing now. That’s one thing. Just hope I’m on key.
——————
P8 IN QUALIFYING BABYYYYYYYY BEST CAREER FINISHHHH LESGOOOO
POINTS TOMORROW POINTS TOMORROW POINTS TOMORROW POINTS TOMORROW WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
July 19, 2026
P9!
A bunch of close battles with Lawson today, shame he finished out the points…
But aye, first time placing ahead of him! Let’s go!
Realistically, I guess the upgrade did contribute a factor… I should try this with an equal car next time.
Great job, man!
… Kinda funny saying that to myself in a notes app.
——————
Are we fucking deadass??? Like… man, I don’t even know what to say anymore.
I’ll clear up my mind then talk about it. Give me a bit…
——————
Pretty tragic for a day that was already going well.
Anyway, today, uh… during the debriefing, I was lost in my mind about everything, ‘til I felt a hand on my shoulder. Liam’s.
“Isack, you think you can– God, Arvid! Sorry. It’s just… sorry. I know I shouldn’t be making excuses. Muscle memory. Sorry.”
I’m supposed to be used to it by now, right? Surprisingly not. I don’t know what happened, I don’t know why it happened. It all just hit me at once.
Then I see Isack on the floor.
Holy shit.
I don’t even want to think about it, why am I writing about this????? I’m supposed to face my problems head on, that’s why! But I’m not ready right now MAN i dont even know anymore
I left right after, with no care about anything that could probably happen. Thankfully I was in my right mind to not say anything during the interviews, and Gabi was there to back me up and say I was pretty tired and didn’t get enough sleep.
I’m sorry.