DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. DECEMBER 2026.

"Never would I ever have thought I'd be on practically a joint couples holiday with Jake." Sophie remarked as the four of them were strolling along the streets of Dubai, enjoying the few days Jake had before he faced the final race of the season.

Jake chuckled. "Life surprises you I guess."

The four had been spending a lot of time together since Austin and Sophie had time off but Jake still felt the missing presence of the other two. Thierry headed straight to Abu Dhabi with his team and the two decided that it would probably be for the best that both of the drivers let the other prepare in their own way for their deciding race. Jaxon, who was thoroughly disappointed not to be able to attend, was in the midst of another NFL season and the Sunday of the race, he had a game on meaning he couldn't attend - that was just the harsh reality of busy schedules.

For the few days off that Jake allowed himself, they had a packed itinerary to make sure they made the most of their time in Dubai. They left late morning on Monday and checked into their luxurious and prestigious hotel in the afternoon.

Their first activity was a desert safari, something that none of them had done before. They had a guide in front but the four were allowed to drive their own dune ATVs.

"I feel like it'd be wrong not to let you drive." Olivia said with a chuckle as Jake instinctively made his way into the drivers seat.

"Unless you want to?" Jake asked, to which Liv just shook her head.

Liv climbed on the back of the ATV, he arms tightly wrapping around Jake's waist. The dune bashing gave an adrenaline rush thatwas a familiar feeling for Jake, but feeling Olivia's excitement made it even more special.

"Wow, this is amazing!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement as they sped over the dunes.

Jake grinned, his hands gripping the handlebars of the vehicle. "Just wait until we get to the sunset spot."

They arrived at a traditional Arabian camp as the sub dipped below the horizon and the sky was painted in hues of orange and pink. There was a buffet dinner serving traditional food under the stars as well as traditional entertainment.

"Bloody Austin almost got us killed!" Sophie exclaimed at the camp.

Austin raised his hands in protest. "No I didn't! I just went a bit faster than I probably could have controlled."

Liv laughed. "This is why you need a race-car driver boyfriend."

The next day, the two couples split up for the first half of the day and Jake and Olivia decided to explore the city. They started their morning with a compulsory run (in the sweltering heat Jake felt his lungs were ready to explode by the end of it) before they visited Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in the world.

Jake was never the biggest shopper but he knew Liv loved it, and he was more than happy to just accompany her. She couldn't resist the allure of the fashion boutiques, while Jake found himself fascinated by the Dubai Aquarium which they visited once Olivia had bought practically half the mall out.

"Look at that shark!" Jake pointed, his face lit up with boyish excitement.

Olivia laughed, snapping a photo of him. "You're like a kid in a candy store."

"Excuse me," a voice came from behind them, "could I get a picture with you both? I'm a massive fan."

Despite having their private time and enjoying the company of each other, Jake and Liv were always happy to interact with their fans. They snapped a quick picture with them before they continued on at the aquarium.

They met up with Sophie and Austin later on in the day, reconvening at the Dubai Marina where they'd rented out a private yacht where waiting for them was some food and some champagne.

"What did you guys get up to today then?" Jake asked as all four of them were sat on the sofa on the deck of the yacht.

"We went to the water park...childish but super fun." Austin told them.

"Damn! We should've gone to the water park." Liv said with a laugh.

"I think some people were super confused when they saw us wandering around." Sophie said.

Jake replied, he was sat with his arm around Liv's. "I can imagine, not every day you see a famous celebrity just casually at a water park."

After dinner on the yacht, the four visited to Burj Khalifa in the evening where they took the elevator to the observation deck located on the hundred and forty-eighth floor. The views were breathtaking, they had a beautiful panoramic view of the city illuminated in the dark by all the lights.

"This view is incredible." Olivia said, leaning into Jake as they gazed out over the city.

Jake wrapped an arm around her, kissing her on the side of her head and feeling a sense of peace wash over him. "It really is."

The final day Jake and Liv were set to travel to Abu Dhabi by private car in the early evening so they still had the morning and afternoon to spend. Sophie and Austin set off earlier as Sophie had made plans to see Thierry and go out for dinner with him. She knew that Jake and Thierry weren't at odds again, it would just be weird for them to be hanging out so casually days before a season-defining race.

With the race weekend rapidly incoming, their last day was dedicated to relaxation. They booked a couple's spa treatment at their hotel - which Jake was initially very sceptical about.

"I've never been to a spa before." Jake admitted.

Olivia was shocked. "Really?"

"Yeah...not entirely sure what to expect. Are they going to put cucumbers over my eyes?"

"I guess we'll have to see."

They started off with a massage which eased Jake's muscles and made his body feel more relaxed and less stiff. A range of spa treatments followed and it was rather overwhelming for Jake to keep up with it so he simply just let it happen and went with the flow.

Their spa day ended with a soothing soak in a private jacuzzi.

"This is heaven." Liv sighed, her eyes closed.

Jake looked over and smiled at his girlfriend. "Pretty relaxing if I do say so myself."

The couple had a late lunch along Jumeirah Beach, enjoying the cool breeze before their car picked them up - ready for the hour and a half journey down south to Abu Dhabi. The few days off helped Jake, it reset his mind so now he was ready to tackle the championship decider with everything he had.

He had a busy plan ahead, he was booked in for a lot of media engagements - due to the dramatics of the race everyone wanted to hear from himself and Thierry.

"You've got this." Olivia said, placing a hand on Jake's leg when she noticed her boyfriend zoning out and looking out the window.

Jake snapped out of his own thoughts. "Thanks babe, I appreciate it."

She gave him a quick kiss. "Whatever happens I'm so proud of you and I love you so much."

"I love you too Liv."

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. DECEMBER 2026

It was time for the final race of the season and all eyes were on Jake Thompson and Thierry Arquette. Both drivers arrived ready for media day on Thursday, knowing that they would be the centre of attention. Reporters from all over the world were ready to hear from the two on what was set to be the most exciting season since Hamilton and Verstappen's 2021 showdown.

The press conference room was filled to capacity. Jake and Thierry took their seats at the front of the room, looking forward to the sea of cameras and flashing lights.

The moderator began. "Welcome, everyone, to the pre-race press conference for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. We have with us today the two championship contenders, Jake Thompson of McLaren and Thierry Arquette of Ferrari. Let's start with some questions."

A journalist from Sky Sports was first. "Jake, how are you feeling going into this final race, given that the championship is on the line?"

Jake spoke confidently into his microphone. "I feel good. This is what we race for, right? To have it come down to the final race, it's exciting. I'm focused, and I'm ready to give it everything I've got."

A reporter from L'Equipe turned to Thierry, speaking in French. "Thierry, you've had an incredible season. How are you handling the pressure, especially with your father's legacy within Ferrari?"

Thierry took a deep breath before answering also in French. "It's been a tough season, no doubt. But I've grown a lot as a driver. I'm trying to stay focused on the race and not let the pressure get to me. I'm here to do my best."

Another question came from Autosport. "Jake, there's been a lot of talk about team orders and strategy. How do you plan to approach this race, knowing it's all or nothing?"

Jake's eyes flickered with determination. "I'm going to race my race. The team has been supportive, and we've got a plan in place. But at the end of the day, it's about getting on that top step of the podium."

A final question from Motorsport.com was directed at both drivers. "What would winning the championship mean to you?"

Jake and Thierry exchanged a glance before Jake spoke first. "It would mean everything. It's been a dream since I was a kid. To finally achieve it would be the culmination of years of hard work."

Thierry nodded in agreement. "Same here. It's been a long journey, and winning the championship would be a validation of all the sacrifices and efforts. It's what every Formula One driver works towards."

After the press conference, Jake and Thierry were whisked away for a series of exclusive interviews. They each had back-to-back slots with various media outlets.

In an interview with ESPN, Jake was asked about his mindset. "I'm staying positive. I've got a great team behind me, and I'm grateful for their support. I know I have what it takes to win."

Meanwhile, Thierry was with BBC Sport, discussing his season. "It's been a rollercoaster, but I've learned so much. Every race has been a lesson, and I'm ready to put it all together here in Abu Dhabi."

There was a brief moment where Jake could grab some food with Liv where he told her all about what had been happening.

"It's been non-stop today." Jake commented, after finishing his food.

"Seems like it, this has been the first time I've seen you since this morning!" was Liv's response.

"What have you been up to babe?"

"I've just been hanging around, had a look around the fan zone. Ran into some of your fans and spoke to them. I've even seen someone with a massive Jake flag."

Jake was shocked. "Really?"

Olivia nodded. "It did make me laugh."

After his short break, Jake was whisked away to more media responsibilities, one of them being a fan meet-and-greet session. He signed autographs and took selfies with fans, smiling as the inevitable nerves of the race began to grow inside him.

One young fan asked. "Jake, are you going to win?"

Jake laughed, signing a cap for the boy. "I'm sure going to try, buddy."

Later that evening, back at the hotel, Jake and Olivia had a quiet dinner. Liv could see the tension in Jake's eyes, despite his attempts to hide it.

"You okay?" she asked softly.

Jake sighed. "Yeah, just a lot on my mind. But I'm glad you're here with me."

Olivia reached across the table and took his hand. "You're going to do great. I believe in you."

"Thank you Liv."

As Jake laid in bed that night, he found it hard to sleep. Olivia was sleeping peacefully beside him as he replayed the day's events in his mind. It didn't feel real, in just a few days time he could be a world champion. It would be a historic for him, for him to achieve this in such little time and after the events of last season, it would be a dream come true. But he knew Thierry wasn't just going to give it up to him, Jake would have to fight for it.

Early on Friday, Jake arrived back at the circuit accompanied hand-in-hand with Olivia. Before the first practice session, there was a meeting with the McLaren team. Everyone gathered to discuss their approach for the weekend and the atmosphere was tense, everyone aware of the stakes.

"Alright, everyone, this is it. Final race of the season," Andrea addressed the room, "Jake, Thierry is going to be tough competition. We need to be flawless."

Jake nodded, his focus intense. "Understood. What's the plan for today?"

"We're focusing on long runs in FP1 to assess tire degradation and short runs in FP2 to fine-tune qualifying setup, then in FP3 we'll see what we need. Let's keep it clean and gather as much data as possible."

FP1 began at two in the afternoon and in between, Jake was with Liv the two engaging in just light conversation. As they both made their way towards the McLaren garage before the first practice session they were approached by someone who seemed to be doing a video asking drivers random, non-racing related questions.

"Jake, dogs or cats."

Jake was slightly taken aback by the randomness of the question but still answered. "Dogs."

The phone panned to Liv who wasn't expecting to answer. "Oh! Cats!"

"That was random." Jake commented once the person had left. "Took me by surprise. You're a cat person?"

Olivia chuckled. "Me too, and yes I am! You know this!"

"Are we going to have an argument about whether we get a cat or a dog?" Jake joked.

Olivia's face was serious. "I want a cat."

Jake found her seriousness amusing. "We can get a cat...as long as we can get a dog too!"

"Fine...that's a compromise I suppose." Olivia huffed.

"Cheer up," Jake laughed, wrapping an arm around Liv and pulling her close, "you'll get your cat."

Olivia smiled. "As long as I do, I've never had a pet before."

"And don't worry, one day you will."

The first practice session went well for Jake, the car felt well-adapted for the circuit and Jake was generally driving well. He was trying his best to reduce all the pressure he felt on his shoulders trying to clear his mind the second he was racing around the circuit but it was difficult - the stakes were just so high. Jake finished in P2 for FP1, with Thierry having the fastest lap of the session and finishing in P1.

"Great session out there Jake! How are you feeling about the car?" he was asked after FP1.

Jake smiled, wiping the sweat from his brow. "The car feels good. We've got some work to do, but it's a solid start. Just focusing on the race ahead."

FP2 was more intense, with the team experimenting with different setups and making sure they had all the data he needed. Jake pushed hard, finishing the session in P1. The McLaren engineers were pleased, but Jake knew this was just the beginning of what would be a very long weekend.

Back at the McLaren garage, the team gathered again to review the data from the day's sessions. The mood was cautiously optimistic.

"Great job today, Jake. We've got some good data. Tomorrow, we'll focus on final tweaks in FP3 and prepare for qualifying."

Jake leaned forward, his expression serious. "We need to nail the strategy. We can't afford any mistakes."

Andrea nodded. "Agreed, we all know the stakes. Let's just get some rest and be ready for tomorrow."

That evening, Jake's parents arrived in Abu Dhabi after their flight from Australia. They were keen to support their son at such a defining race. Alongside Olivia, him and his parents went out for dinner where most of the conversation was racing related with Liv and Jake's mum breaking away from Jake and his father's racing talk and having their own conversation.

"How are you feeling bud?" Marcus Thompson asked his son.

Jake was honest. "I'm nervous dad, normally I can calm myself down and just focus the second I'm out there but this time it's different...I can't shake the feeling."

His father listened intently, understanding. "Nerves are natural son. They mean you care about what you're doing. You've faced pressure before and come out on top. This race is no different in that sense. It's just another day at the office."

"But it doesn't feel like it, dad. This is the championship. It's everything."

"I know it is, kid. And that's why it's important to remember why you started racing in the first place. Think back to when you were little, racing go-karts. You didn't do it for the trophies or the glory. You did it because you loved the thrill, the challenge, and the pure joy of driving. That's what you need to focus on tomorrow. Block out the noise, the pressure, and just drive."

Jake listened, feeling a small knot of anxiety begin to loosen. His father always had a way of putting things into perspective.

"Also," Marcus continued, "remember that you're not alone out there. You have a whole team behind you, supporting you every step of the way. And no matter what happens, me and your mother, and Olivia, we're all proud of you. We've seen the dedication and hard work you've put in. That's what matters most."

"Thanks, dad. I needed to hear that."

Marcus chuckled. "Anytime, Jake. And one more thing - trust yourself. You've trained for this. You've strategised for this. You know what to do. When you're out there, just let your instincts take over. You're a natural."

The final practice session went well, Jake took his father's words onboard and just let his mind be consumed by the actual driving, not the pressure of the championship. Before qualifying, the team gathered for yet another meeting. Their PC screens were filled with charts and data screens.

Teams were hustled around the paddock, making last-minute adjustments. Olivia was conversing with Jake's parents in the McLaren garage as Sophie and Austin watched from their hospitality suite.

Focus on the joy of driving. Trust yourself.

That was Jake's mantra.

He strapped into his McLaren, his mind a whirl of strategies and possibilities. As the engine roared to life, he felt a surge of adrenaline. This was it. A good result in qualifying could make all the difference in the actual race.

The first lap was clean but not perfect. He pushed harder on the second lap, finding the limits of the track, the car, and himself. Every corner, every apex demanded absolute precision.

Once the session had ended, he awaited Rick's voice.

"P2 Jake, that's P2."

P2.

Thierry had taken pole.

Jake felt a stab of frustration. It was advantage Thierry going into the race tomorrow. He had given it his all, but it wasn't enough to secure the top spot. As he climbed out of the car, the weight of the championship pressed down on him even harder.

"Jake, P2 today. How are you feeling about tomorrow's race?"

Jake forced a smile, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "It's going to be a tough race, but I'm confident in our strategy and my team. We'll give it everything we've got."

As soon as the interview ended, he walked back to the garage, trying to keep his emotions in check. But the pressure, the expectations, and the reality of being so close yet not quite there, all came crashing down. He leaned against the wall, his breathing rapid, panic rising.

This can't be happening. He couldn't lose it now.

Thierry was a good defender. What if Jake couldn't get past?

What if McLaren messed up his strategy?

What if the car stopped working?

"Jake?" Olivia's voice broke through the chaos in his mind. He looked up to see her standing there, concern etched on her face. She reached out, her hand warm and reassuring on his arm. "Hey, it's okay. It's not over yet."

"I...I tried so hard, Liv. I thought I had it." his voice cracked, the vulnerability he had kept at bay now surfacing.

She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him. "I know you did. And you were incredible out there. But the race is tomorrow, and anything can happen. You've come back from tougher situations before. You just need to stay calm and trust in yourself."

He closed his eyes. "I just...I don't want to let everyone down."

"You won't. Everyone is so proud of you Jake."

Jake forced a small smile. "Let's bring on tomorrow then."

She smiled, kissing him softly. "That's my champion. Now let's get some rest and focus on the race. You've got this."

THE CORE FOUR

Jax 🏈
Good luck to both of you tomorrow. Sorry I can't be there in person, but I'll be cheering you both on from the field. You both got this!

Soph 🎥
good luck jax! we'll be cheering you on too! 🏈✨

Thi 🏎️
Thanks, Jax!

Appreciate it, Jax. Good luck with the game! Wish you could be here, but I know duty calls

Soph 🎥
i just wanted to say that no matter what happens tomorrow, i'm so proud of both of you. it's been an amazing season, and you've both shown so much skill and maturity. it's been great seeing you guys develop from the karting days to now

Thi 🏎️
Thanks, Soph. Means a lot. I remember those weekends at the karting tracks. We were so competitive even back then.

Yeah, those were the days. I remember when we'd race all day and then play video games all night. It's crazy to think how far we've come.

Soph 🎥
and don't forget the endless hours of practice in all weather conditions
rain, shine, it didn't matter, you two were always pushing each other to be better

Jax 🏈
And look at you now, battling it out for the championship. Just remember to enjoy it. It's what you've both dreamed of.

Thanks Jax

Jax 🏈
Now go get some rest. Big day tomorrow. And remember, I'll be watching the replay as soon as I can!

"How are you feeling?"

Jake's head shifted to Olivia who was lying next to him in bed. "Nervous, excited, ready for it to be all over."

Olivia rested her head on his shoulder. "You've got this. Just trust your instincts."

Jake smiled, planting a soft kiss on his girlfriend's lips. "Thank you, I'm going to try get some rest now. Goodnight Liv, I love you."

"Goodnight pretty boy, I love you too."

The day had finally come. It was the day that would determine who the champion was and bring a conclusion to a thrilling season. Jake arrived promptly with Olivia and his parents, his mind ready on what was ahead. He wanted minimal distractions so he went straight to the garage, making sure he couldn't be found by any reporters.

In between now and the race, he just wanted to be in his own little world.

The final race of the season marked the end of season photo, Jake lined up next to Lando and stood for the photograph and the second it was done, he promptly made his way back to the garage.

"Good luck. I'm so proud of you." Olivia said to him before Jake went and got strapped in. He gave a nod to his parents before hand before he entered the McLaren. He stared at his hands, he was still wearing the gloves Liv had got him and tapped the wheel as he did before every race.

The lights went out, and the roar of engines drowned out everything else. Jake had a good start, staying close to Thierry, but behind them, chaos erupted. Esteban Ocon clipped Hulkenberg's car, sending debris flying and the two cars going all over the place. This incident caused a red flag and meant that the race would have to stop and then restart. During the period the track was being cleared, Jake spoke to no one. He had his headphones in and was in his own world before the race restarted in the original order.

On the second start, Thierry managed to maintain his lead, but Jake was hot on his heels. For the next twenty laps, they battled fiercely, swapping positions multiple times and the pitstops had gone well for both McLaren and Ferrari.

Controversy struck when Jake made a daring move on Thierry, overtaking him on a tight corner. Thierry, in his attempt to reclaim the position, made contact with Jake's rear tire, causing Jake to momentarily lose control. Jake managed to recover, but Thierry took back the lead.

"Rick what was that? I should get the position back no?" Jake spoke over the radio, his breathing heavy.

There were no repercussions and it deeply annoyed Jake, Thierry had gained precious seconds and now was five seconds ahead of Jake. It would take a miracle for Jake to catch up to the Monegasque.

"Jake there's been a spin out from Tsunoda, safety car out. That's safety car out."

There was his miracle. A safety car allowed Jake to catch up to Thierry and both drivers used this opportunity to box and put on fresher tires for the final ten laps. When the safety car finally went back in, Thierry was in the lead but Jake was only separated by mere tenths of a second.

The tension was unbearable. Olivia watched from the McLaren garage, her hands clasped tightly in front of her mouth, her eyes never leaving the screen. Marcus and Emmeline Thompson watched intensely, their heartbeats pulsing and up in the suite Sophie and Austin watched with baited breath.

With two laps to go, Jake knew it was now or never. He positioned himself perfectly behind Thierry, waiting for the right moment. As they approached the final DRS zone, Jake activated his DRS and made his move. Thierry defended aggressively, but Jake was relentless. They went wheel to wheel, sparks flying as their cars brushed against each other.

The crowd was on its feet as they approached the last few corners. Jake, with a daring late-braking manoeuvre, took the inside line and emerged ahead. Thierry tried to fight back, but Jake held his ground, pulling ahead. With one lap to go, Jake knew he had to stay focused despite his racing heartbeat being all he could hear.

The final lap felt like forever and Jake was constantly checking his rear mirrors, Thierry was still visible but Jake had enough distance to defend from him. As he crossed the finish line he erupted in a triumphant cheer.

He had done it.

"JAKE THOMPSON, YOU ARE THE WORLD CHAMPION!" Rick's voice came from the radio.

Jake, who could feel tears in his eyes, replied emotionally. "I did it...thank you everyone. This is for everyone. Woohoo!"

As he pulled into parc fermé, Rick's voice came through his radio again. "All good to do burn-outs, you deserve this kid."

Jake smiled to himself as he began doing donuts, a cloud of smoke filling his vision as he span around.

"Oh shit, where's the P1 sign?" Jake said to himself, trying to navigate the smoke to find where he was supposed to park up.

He sat in his car for a moment longer than usual, taking in the weight of what had just happened. He had won. The realisation washed over him, a surge of adrenaline and emotion that made his hands tremble as he finally unbuckled his harness and climbed out of the car. He stood on top of the car, cheering and celebrating soaking in all the noise around him.

His first thought was to go over to Thierry who was just stepping out of his car, a mix of exhaustion and disappointment on his face.

"Thierry." Jake called out, Thierry turned, and for a moment, their eyes locked. There was a world of unspoken words in that glance. Jake extended his hand. "You drove an incredible race. It was an honour to fight you for this championship."

Thierry took Jake's hand, shaking it firmly. "Congratulations, Jake. You deserved this win. We'll have many more battles, I'm sure."

Jake nodded, a smile breaking through. "Absolutely. May the best man win, always."

With that, Thierry engulfed is best friend in a hug, which Jake happily reciprocated before Jake made his way towards his team, Olivia in the midst of them. With his helmet off he ran immediately over to Liv and kissed her before jumping onto the rest of the McLaren team.

"You did it! You did it!" Olivia cheered, tears of joy streaming down her face. "I'm so proud of you."

"I love you. This was for you, for everyone. Thank you for being with me every step of the way." Jake responded. His parents were also with the rest of the team and he made sure to celebrate with them too before he was pulled away for his interview.

"Jake, congratulations on the win and the championship! How does it feel to be the World Champion? You're the second youngest in history just after Sebastian Vettle."

Jake took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "It feels...incredible. I can't even describe it. This has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and to finally achieve it, especially in such a hard-fought race, it's just unreal. I owe everything to my team, my family, and everyone who's supported me along the way."

"We saw some intense moments out there, particularly with Thierry. Can you talk us through the last few laps?"

Jake nodded, replaying the final moments in his mind. "Thierry is an amazing competitor. Those last laps were some of the hardest and most exhilarating of my career. It was all about precision and taking advantage of every opportunity. I have immense respect for Thierry, it was a pleasure to race against him."

The atmosphere on the podium was electric. When Jake walked onto the top step of the podium he locked eyes with Liv and smiled at her, feeling his cheeks go red ever so slightly. He soaked in the atmosphere, to his right, Thierry stood on the second step, and Lando on the third. As the national anthem played, Jake's eyes welled with tears.

This was his moment.

When he was finally given the first place trophy for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix he raised it up high, feeling the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication. Jake cautiously placed his trophy down before he picked up the champagne bottle, spraying it all over Thierry and Lando. It was a moment of pure, unfiltered joy.

The celebrations continued, with Jake and his team revelling in their victory. Amidst the cheers and flashing lights, Jake took a moment to soak it all in. At just twenty-three years of age he was a World Championship winner, the second youngest after Seb Vettle. In his third season as a Formula One driver, his second full season, he was a winner. He had achieved his dream but knew that this was just the beginning.

There was an end of season dinner with the rest of the drivers where they celebrated with the rest of the grid their achievements. He returned late that evening to Olivia where they celebrated between themselves this monumental day, it was until the early hours of the next day where Jake physically could not stay up any longer and as he drifted off to sleep, there was only one thought in his mind.

Jacob Rosco Thompson was the World Champion.