LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES. JUNE 2026.

Almost a year had passed since the crash that nearly ended Jake Thompson's life. The Austrian Grand Prix was looming on the horizon, a race that had become an unspoken milestone in Jake's journey back to Formula One. The memory of the crash lingered, not just in his mind but in the minds of everyone who had witnessed it.

Jake was in Liv's apartment in LA, packing for the trip to Austria and Silverstone which followed shortly after. Olivia was sitting on the bed, watching him thoughtfully.

"Are you nervous?" she asked gently.

Jake paused and he looked up at her and smiled faintly. "A little. It's hard not to be, considering everything that happened. But I've been looking forward to this race all year. I guess I'm also nervous because I haven't won a race yet...I'm doing well in the standings because of consistent podiums but Thierry isn't far behind me and I need to catch up to Max."

Jake's goal this year was to win the drivers championship. He knew he had it in him, he would become the second youngest driver to do it just behind Sebastian Vettel if he was successful.

Olivia stood up and walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "You've come so far. Everyone's so proud of you, Jake. And no matter what happens, I'll be right there with you."

Jake kissed her forehead. "I know. That means everything to me."

The flight to Austria was uneventful, but the atmosphere on the plane was tense. The closer they got to Austria, the more Jake could feel the weight of the upcoming race.

Upon arrival in Spielberg, they were greeted by a lot of reporters and fans. Jake smiled and waved, trying to project confidence. He knew the questions would come, and he was prepared to face them.

At the hotel, Jake and Olivia settled in. The first evening was quiet, spent in the company of Olivia where they had dinner together, trying to keep the mood light.

"When was the first time you raced here?" Olivia asked.

Jake chuckled, reminiscing. "Formula Three. I was so nervous I almost threw up before getting in the car."

Soon came the Thursday, the day filled with media obligations. Jake had a full schedule of interviews and press conferences. He arrived at the paddock with Olivia by his side, both of them smiling and waving at the fans gathered outside.

Jake was ushered towards an interviewer who had a microphone and camera ready.

"Jake, how does it feel to be back in Austria a year after your accident?"

Jake thoughtfully responded. "It's a mix of emotions. Last year was incredibly difficult, but it's also what drove me to work harder and come back stronger. I'm grateful for the support I've received from my team, my family, and the fans."

After this, Jake headed to the garage for a meeting with his race engineer, Rick. They went over the car's setup and discussed strategies for the race.

"You're ready for this," Rick said firmly, "we've got a good car, and you've got the talent. Let's show them what you're made of."

Jake nodded, feeling a surge of confidence. "Let's do it."

Next came his scheduled press conference. It was luck of the draw who he had to share it with but Jake suspected some fixing or just a huge coincidence when he found out his press conference was going to be alongside Thierry and also Max.

Reporters filled the room, their eyes fixed on the two drivers who had become the centre of attention since the dramatic crash a year ago.

Jake fiddled with his microphone and glanced at Thierry, who gave him a tight-lipped smile. They both knew the questions were coming.

The moderator opened the session, and the first question went to Thierry. "Thierry, can you tell us about how you've changed since the incident? Do you think it has affected your driving style or mindset?"

Thierry nodded slowly. "The crash was a wake-up call for me. I realised I needed to mature both as a driver and as a person. I've worked on being more responsible and understanding the risks involved in this sport. I'm truly sorry for what happened, and I'm grateful that Jake and I have had the chance to mend our relationship."

The room fell into a brief, uncomfortable silence. Jake appreciated Thierry's words, and it was evident when racing that Thierry had matured on the track.

Another reporter chimed in. "Jake, how has your relationship with Thierry evolved since the crash?"

Jake looked over at Thierry, then back at the reporter. "It's been a journey. There was a lot of anger and frustration initially, but we've both worked hard to move past it. Thierry has shown that he's changed, and I respect him for that. We're both here to race and do our best for our teams."

The moderator interjected. "Let's move on to questions about this weekend's race."

"How does it feel for you Max, to be leading the championship with these two younger drivers chasing behind you? Do you think your experience will help you claim yet another championship?"

"It's hard to say," Max said, "we've still got over half the season to go. Jake and Thierry are both good drivers and I'm always giving it my all on the track so we will just have to see what happens."

Jake and Thierry were both catching up to Max, there were rumours that the Red Bull wasn't as strong as it had been in previous years so if there was ever a year for another team or driver to end Max Verstappen and Red Bull's dominance, it would be this year.

As the press conference ended, Jake felt a mixture of relief and exhaustion.

As they left the room, Thierry turned to Jake. "Are you alright?"

Jake nodded. "I'm fine. Let's focus on the race now."

Thierry smiled. "Agreed. Good luck out there."

"Good luck to you too."

Back by the motorhome, Olivia waited for Jake, her eyes full of concern. He walked over to her and gave her a reassuring smile.

"How did it go?" she asked.

"Yeah it was good. Can you believe it's been a year?" Jake mused, looking out at the track.

"Yeah..." Olivia said, something about her tone seemed off but Jake didn't think much of it.

After walking around the track with his team and some final meetings and media responsibilities, Jake and Olivia were headed back to their hotel. Olivia seemed quieter than usual but Jake suspected that maybe she was just tired from a long day. Liv had been supportive all day, but the memories of that terrifying day were on her mind.

They entered their room, and Olivia shut the door behind her with a little more force than usual. Jake noticed but didn't say anything at first. He was tired, and all he wanted was to relax before the big race.

"Jake, we need to talk." Olivia said, her voice tense.

Jake sighed, knowing that tone. "What's up?"

Olivia took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I've been thinking a lot about last year. About the crash."

Jake frowned. "Olivia, we've talked about this. I'm fine now. I'm ready to race."

"I know, but...I'm scared, Jake. What if something like that happens again? What if next time you're not so lucky?"

Jake's expression hardened. "That's the risk we take. It's part of racing."

"I can't just sit by and watch you risk your life every weekend!" Olivia's voice rose, frustration and fear bubbling over. "It's too dangerous, Jake. I don't want to lose you."

Jake felt a surge of anger. "This is my dream, Olivia! This is what I live for! You knew that when we got together. What's changed? You've never had this issue before!"

"I didn't know it would be this bad," Olivia shot back, tears welling up in her eyes, "I didn't know I'd have to watch you almost die."

Jake's temper flared. "You think I don't know the risks? You think I haven't thought about that crash every single day? But I can't just give up. Racing is who I am."

Olivia wiped a tear from her cheek. "And what about us, Jake? What about me? Am I just supposed to stand by and live in fear? Thinking that everytime you step into the car it might be the last time I ever see you?"

Jake felt a painful lump in his throat, but his pride wouldn't let him back down. "If you can't handle this, maybe you're not cut out for this life. Maybe I need someone who understands what this means to me. I'd never stop you from singing! You don't see me complaining when you're gone for most of the year!"

Olivia's eyes widened in shock and hurt. "I can't believe you just said all that."

Jake knew he'd crossed a line, but his anger and frustration wouldn't let him apologise. "Well, it's the truth. I can't have someone holding me back."

"Is that what I am to you? A burden?" Olivia's voice was shaking now. "Do you really think your dream is more important than our relationship?"

Jake clenched his fists. "Maybe it is. Maybe I need to focus on my career without any distractions."

Olivia's face crumpled, and she turned away from him, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Jake felt a pang of regret but was too proud to take back his words.

"Fine," Olivia said finally, her voice barely above a whisper, "if that's how you feel, then maybe we do need some time apart."

Jake stood there, feeling like the ground had been pulled out from under him. He wanted to reach out, to apologise, but his pride kept him rooted in place.

"I'm taking a flight home," Olivia said, her voice breaking, "I need some time away from you, and it's clear you need to do the same."

Jake's heart clenched, and he wanted to beg her to stay, to tell her he didn't mean what he said. But the words stuck in his throat, and all he could do was nod and mutter a bitter "Fine."

Olivia grabbed her things and walked out of the room, leaving Jake alone with his thoughts and the deafening silence. As the door clicked shut behind her, Jake felt a crushing sense of loss and confusion.

He collapsed onto the bed, his mind racing. He loved Olivia more than anything, but racing was in his DNA. How could he choose between the two? They had been together for two years and they had never had an issue like this before. They had always found a way to make it work, what had changed?

The room felt cold and empty without her presence, and Jake knew that he'd made a terrible mistake. But the words had been said, and the damage was done and with qualifying tomorrow, all he could do was force himself to sleep.

The Austrian sky was a mix of clouds and sun, reflecting the mood within Jake. As he walked through the paddock, his face was a mask of steely determination, hiding the emotional wreckage inside. The argument with Olivia had left him shattered, and her absence was like a gaping wound everyone could see but no one dared to mention.

The activity in the paddock was a stark contrast to Jake's silent world. Mechanics worked tirelessly, team members chatted, and other drivers prepared for qualifying. But Jake was in his own bubble, cut off from everything around him. He avoided eye contact and conversation, his mind swirling with thoughts of Olivia and their argument.

In the garage, his race engineer Rick noticed the change immediately. "You okay, Jake?" he asked cautiously.

Jake nodded curtly, not trusting himself to speak. He suited up, put on his helmet, and climbed into the car. The familiar process of buckling in and checking controls did little to soothe him and when he saw his gloves gifted from Liv, it was a painful reminder that the gloves were the only part of her with him today.

As he rolled out for Q1, the world outside seemed distant and irrelevant. His focus was shattered, and it showed. The first few laps were sloppy, and he struggled to find his rhythm. He pushed hard, trying to compensate for his lack of focus with sheer speed, but it only made things worse.

As he rounded a corner, the rear end of the car stepped out. He tried to correct it, but it was too late. The car spun, screeching across the track before coming to a halt in the gravel.

"Jake, you okay?" Rick's voice crackled over the radio, filled with concern.

Jake punched the steering wheel in frustration. "FUCK!"

"I'm fine." he muttered afterwards, knowing that nothing could be further from the truth.

The session ended, and Jake's name sat at the bottom of the timesheets. P20. Last on the grid. It was a humiliating result for someone of his calibre, but he couldn't muster the energy to care.

He climbed out of the car and handed his helmet to a waiting mechanic, ignoring the looks of sympathy and curiosity. Without a word to anyone, he walked straight to his trailer, slamming the door shut behind him.

Inside, the silence was deafening. Jake sank to the floor, his back against the door, and finally let the tears come. The enormity of everything crashed down on him – the argument with Olivia, the weight of expectations, the crushing disappointment of qualifying. How would this look for his championship charge?

At that moment he hated himself for even thinking about the championship. Despite everything with Olivia that was still a thought that entered his mind. Had he learnt nothing from last year? There was more to life than racing but Jake struggled still to find a balance, racing was his life.

Minutes turned into hours, and the world outside his trailer moved on. But Jake remained there, lost in his grief and frustration. He knew he couldn't stay like this forever, that he would have to face everyone eventually. But for now, he allowed himself this moment of weakness, hoping that somehow, he would find the strength to fight tomorrow.

The morning of the Grand Prix dawned crisp and clear. An couple hours before the race Jake sat at a table with his parents, Marcus and Emmeline who, after what they had saw yesterday on the TV and a pleading call from their son, took the first flight possible to get to Austria in time.

Marcus leaned forward, placing a reassuring hand on Jake's shoulder. "Son, we've watched you fight your way to the top. One bad day doesn't define you. Remember why you started racing in the first place."

Emmeline nodded, her eyes filled with maternal concern. "Just take it one step at a time. Focus on driving now and then you can fix things with Olivia."

In the garage, Jake remained silent, isolating himself in the zone as he prepared for the race. He kept his interactions minimal, refusing to let distractions seep into his focus. The pit crew noticed his intensity and respected his space, letting him prepare in his own way.

As the race started, Jake's mind was fixated on nothing but the race, he had flipped a switch that repressed everything else happening in his life apart from the next seventy-one laps ahead of him.

When the lights went out, Jake launched off the line with fierce determination. Starting from P20, he had nothing to lose. He darted through gaps, took calculated risks, and executed overtakes. Lap after lap, he clawed his way up the field, determined not to let the bad qualifying define this race.

A couple of well-timed safety cars played to Jake's advantage, bunching up the field and allowing him to close the gap to the leaders. His pit stops were flawless, and his race engineer Rick's calm voice guided him through crucial decisions.

By the final third of the race, Jake found himself in the top ten, then the top five. He overtook with precision, his confidence building with every successful move. With ten laps to go, he was in P3, right behind Max and Thierry.

Another safety car came out, bunching up the top three. As the race restarted, Jake seized his opportunity. As he approached the turn where he and Thierry had crashed, he didn't allow himself to even think about the incident a year ago, he just blocked it out of his mind. Him and Thierry went wheel to wheel but Jake was able to pass as Thierry pulled out and allowed Jake the space. Now, it was just him and Max.

With three laps to go, Jake made his move. He saw a gap, went for it, and overtook Max with a clean, decisive pass. The crowd roared, but Jake's focus was unyielding. Max was on fresher tyres but he kept his lead, defending aggressively and fairly.

As he crossed the finish line in P1, the realisation hit him. He had done it. From P20 to P1. His second career win, and on the very track that nearly ended everything for him a year ago.

He screamed with joy over the radio. "We did it, Rick! We did it!"

The pit wall erupted in celebration. Jake pulled into the parc fermé, climbed out of his car, and punched the air with elation. His team surrounded him, hugging and congratulating him. He could see the pride in his parents' eyes as they cheered from the garage.

Yet, amidst the joy and triumph, there was a pang of emptiness. Olivia wasn't there to share this moment. He glanced around, half-expecting to see her smile, her excitement. But she wasn't there.

As he stood on the podium, the crowd cheering, his national anthem playing, champagne spraying, Jake felt a bittersweet mix of emotions. He had replaced his harrowing memory of this track with a more celebratory one, made a significant step in his WDC charge, but the one person he wanted to celebrate with the most was absent.

In the post-race interview, when asked about his incredible comeback, Jake smiled. "This win means everything to me. It was a tough race, but we kept pushing. This one is for everyone who has supported me. Thank you."

The day ended with a mixture of joy and longing, racing was his dream, but his heart ached for the love and support he missed.

And as the sun set over the Austrian Alps, Jake knew he had to find a way to balance both worlds.