My phone rings, stirring me awake. I hiss a curse under my breath cursing the person calling me at this ungodly hour. My hand searches for my phone and I barely have my eyes open when I answer the call.
"What?" I snap. I hear a male chuckle on the other side of the line.
"Good morning to you too, sunshine," Charles chuckles. I rub my eyes, starting to wake up.
"Why are you calling this early, Perceval? Why?" I question, yawning,
"It is only eight," Charles defends. I tilt my phone away from my ear to check the time, only to see that he was right.
"It is still early," I mutter. "What do you want?"
"Since you are asking so nicely, I wanted to ask you for a round of padel tennis," Charles suggests. "With Max, Lando and George." That sounds like a pleasing idea. It is always fun with these guys.
"Count me in," I say in a cheerful mood.
"Meet you in half an hour," Charles says and breaks the contact. Half an hour? I put down the phone and feel the weight of the bed shifting. My eyes meet those of my boyfriend.
"You're gonna padel tennis with the guys?" Lewis questions. I nod and place a short kiss on his lips.
"Yes, it is fun with these guys you know," I say. "What are you going to do today?" I watch him think for a moment before Lewis answers.
"Not much," he answers. "I gotta make some calls today." I tilt my head in surprise. "With Toto?"
"Yes... Uh, no, no. It's not Toto," he stammers. "I honestly don't remember, but it's written in my agenda." He chuckles nervously. My eyebrows scowl before dismissing the vague thought in my head.
"You'll be alright," I say, leaving the bed.
"I love you," he blurts. I halt for a moment. I glance over my shoulder and send him a smile.
"I love you too." I head to the living room as I replay this moment. His voice was different when he said 'I love you'. His voice was usually sweet and gentle, yet this sounded more desperate... I shake my head and shake away the thought.

I meet Charles at the entrance of the fields. A smile graces my lips as I clasp my hand in Charles'.
"How is she doing?" Charles muses. I childishly mimic him and stick out my tongue.
"She is doing fine as your favorite teammate ever," I smile. Charles rolls his eyes and shakes his head, however, he fails to suppress a smile. His dimples show and I always adore him for it.
"Yes, you will always be. Even if we get separated," he says, walking towards the fields.
"It's together or nothing, Charles," I laugh. "We kinda come as a package." I glance at Charles, who only chuckles. I watch his smile fade, wondering if I said something wrong.
"Did I say something wrong?" I question. His eyes meet mine and I read guilt (?) in his eyes. No, I must be tripping. I need to stop looking for signs that aren't there.
"No, you didn't say anything wrong," Charles brushes it off by laughing. "I ... Yes, we come as a package deal." He throws his arm around my shoulder as we meet Lando, George, and Max.
''Ready to lose?'' Lando grins. I raise my eyebrow and point my racket at him.
''Charles and I are unstoppable,'' I brawl.
''I need to make a quick call,'' Charles interrupts. ''You can pair up with Max if you wish.'' I furrow my brows as Charles is acting weird. In my opinion. ''Okay,'' I say before turning to Max.
''Let's get them,'' I say and Max laughs. Max and I team up against Lando and George. From the corner of my eyes, I watch Charles on the phone. I wonder who he is calling and why now. I shake away the thought, it must be all a coincidence. As soon as the match starts, I am on fire. Max and I seem to work in a fierce dynamic. We smash Lando and George. After the last point, Max gives me a high five.
''Who was ready to lose?'' I say in Lando's direction. He mimics my question and counters, ''We will get back to you.''

The following weeks were quite peaceful. Charles and I are preparing for the season in Maranello. It means Lewis and I are apart from each other. He is in England at the Mercedes base while I am in Italy. I cannot help but notice Lewis acting weird. His calls are different, he keeps saying how much he loves me and always needs to think before answering.
''Are you alright?'' Charles pulls me out of my train of thought. I nod and send him a smile. I scroll through Twitter and I see an odd post. Lewis is rumored to sign with Ferrari. I must admit, it caught me off guard for a moment.
''These fans these days,'' I sigh and shove my phone in Charles' direction. I rub my temples before looking at Charles. He simply scoffs and returns my phone. If Lewis were to move to Ferrari, he would have told me. Besides, I'm in Ferrari with Charles.
''Desperate for some action I guess,'' he says, confirming my thoughts. These fans are bored which I get. I cannot wait to drive the car but the lingering Twitter post haunts my mind. Along with Lewis' and Charles' strange behavior.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE BAHRAIN TESTING

Hamilton to make shock switch from Mercedes to Ferrari for 2025 season

01 February 2024

Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton will make a sensational switch from Mercedes to Ferrari next year on a multi-year contract, a move he called "one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make".

Hamilton has raced for the Silver Arrows since the 2013 season and has won six of his seven world titles with the team, adding to the crown he achieved at McLaren earlier in his career.

He had also re-committed to Mercedes last summer, but this will now be cut short to allow for his headline-making move.
It means Hamilton will link up with Charles Leclerc, who recently agreed, while Y/N Thompson will have to make way at the end of this year.

On Thursday evening, Mercedes confirmed that both they and Hamilton would be parting ways at the end of 2024 with Hamilton activating a release option in his contract. Ferrari soon followed by announcing the seven-time world champion would be joining from 2025 on a multi-year contract.
"I have had an amazing 11 years with this team [Mercedes] and I'm so proud of what we have achieved together," said Hamilton. "Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old. It's the place where I grew up, so deciding to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make.
"But the time is right for me to take this step and I'm excited to be taking on a new challenge. I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together. I am 100% committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember."

My world stops. Many thoughts and feelings are invading my body. These feelings and thoughts are too big for my body. Lewis is signing with Ferrari. Lewis is taking my seat. Ferrari kicks me off the team. Charles knew. Lewis knew. They kept this information from me. I shut off my phone while anger bubbles in my chest. How could they fucking do this to me?
     ''Fuck,'' I  curse. ''Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!'' I pace around the room, realizing I have no seat for the season of 2025. More things come to a realization. It all makes sense now... It makes sense why Lewis was telling me how much he loved me. It makes sense why Charles was acting strange.
     ''We come as a package deal,'' I grit through my teeth. ''Package my ass.'' Another wave of realization hits me, causing me to sink to my knees. Tears roll down my cheeks. Betrayed. I feel fucking betrayed by the people I trusted most. By my own fucking boyfriend and my own fucking team.
I don't know how much time slipped through my fingers. I drag my numb body to the bathroom. Yes, I need a hot shower. I step into the shower and allow the shower to run hot.
     "Ferrari fucking dumped me." I curse. The hot water runs down my body. I need to find a new team. I need to prove myself, harder than everyone on the grid. I need to secure myself a seat. I cannot let this news cloud my way to success. No.
     After the shower, I make myself a cup of tea before turning on my phone. I see several text messages from Charles, even missed phone calls. Then I see Lewis' name. My heart aches and see his missed video calls. I bring myself to call him.

"Babe?" Lewis calls. I look at his face on my screen and remain silent. "I assume you have seen the news," he continues. I take a deep breath, reminding myself he cannot know that it bothers me.
     "Yeah, I saw," I casually say. He seems to be surprised by my reaction.
     "And?" he questions as if he waits for me to explode with anger. Honestly, I want to do that.
     "And? Congratulations?" I question. "Yeah, Ferrari is the top team, what do you want me to say?" I watch his shocked expression.
     "I don't know," he says and I fight the urge not to scoff or roll my eyes. I do not wish to continue this conversation.
     "I need to go back to my training," I lie. "Bye."
     "Oh, bye. I love—" I press the red button and end the video call. I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. I fight back the tears and let out a shaky breath.
"Pull yourself together," I breathe.

End of February, finally we are to race. In these three weeks, I have been avoiding Lewis while other people messaged me about my seat. I simply brushed it off but I cannot brush it off my soul because it left a burning mark.
I start in fourth place. It's not bad, but it is not where I wanted to be since Charles is in the front row. However, Lewis starts in ninth place... I will prove Ferrari wrong by sacking my seat.
     And I did, by finishing on the podium with Charles behind me. Max, Checo, and Charles congratulated me. I noticed Lewis approaching so I started a conversation with Max.
     "You were like driving alone," I joke. Max laughs as I keep my eye on Lewis. "You did amazing though."
     "As did you."

"Congratulations," I hear while bringing the trophy and the bottle of champagne down to the garage. I glance over my shoulder to see Lewis. My cheerful mood washes away and I honestly hate it.
     "Thanks," I say. We walk in silence. I guess neither of us knows what to say. There are several things I would like to say.
"I'm sorry," Lewis sighs. I avert my gaze to look at him.
"I'm fine, Lewis," I say. "I need to go celebrate with the team." Without another word, I head to the garage. My mechanics cheer the moment I set foot in the garage. I send them grins and lift the trophy. The Red Bull 1-2 is nothing new, so finishing third kind of feels like a victory.
"Let's go celebrate!"

The next months have been strange... It feels strange to discuss racing matters with Ferrari, knowing they have sold my seat to someone else. It feels strange not to talk to Lewis, but I cannot do anything different. He follows the illusion that I am fine with this transfer. I know the bitter truth that I am absolutely boiling. The strangest thing of all this was a call with Red Bull. A brief meeting with Christian Horner and Helmut Marko.
     The third race of the calendar... The Australian Grand Prix. The thought of starting on the front row tastes sweet. The thought of splitting the Red Bulls tastes delicious. The fact that Lewis didn't get into Q3 is too bad for him. I lie on my bed, staring at the ceiling. My attention drew to the door once I heard a knock or two. In an instant, I knew who was in front of my door. I knew that combination in a heartbeat.
     "Babe?" Lewis questions. "Can you let me in?" I contemplated to leave him there, but my heart got the better of me. I drag my body toward the door to open it. One look at Lewis and I can state he looks terrible. ''Thank you,'' he mutters. He takes a seat at one of the chairs while I take my distance by sitting on the bed.
     ''You have been distant lately,'' he says his voice merely a whisper. I fiddle with my fingers as I answer: "I don't know what you are talking about." I know damn well that I've been avoiding him, I mean... How could I not? He took my seat and wished for us to be in a relationship. I have more dignity and self-worth than that.
"Yes, you have," he answers, raising his voice a little. "You have been acting weird and strange since the news popped. I thought you said you were fine with it!" I finally find the courage to look him in the eyes.
"And I am fine!" I snarl. Lewis rises to his feet and his expression is seriously angry.
"Then why are you acting all strange and stuff?" I scoff and roll my eyes at his question. He wants the ugly truth? Then he can get it.
"Well, maybe it is because my boyfriend took my seat and basically dumped me out of my own team. Maybe even more important, he didn't even tell me about it," I snap. My anger finally comes to a boil and it is ready to be released.
     "Then why didn't you tell me it bothered you?" he questions with a heavy tone. He is angry as well, though he has no reason to be angry.
     "What would it have mattered?" I scoff. "I don't need a man to tell me it's gonna be alright that I will get a new seat because I've proven myself worthy? I don't know if you have eyes in your head, but I'm a woman. In fact, I am the only woman on the grid and I need to prove myself every day. Every fucking minute I draw breath in this sport." I watch Lewis come to a realization, but for me, it is too late.
     "I didn't know you felt this way," Lewis mutters. "I'm sorry." I'm sorry. Meaningless words that repair nothing.
     "You know," I pause. He will get every thought from me. "It feels like a stab in the back, especially by my boyfriend. The one I loved so dearly because he communicated with me." I see him stiffen at the part of 'loved' as he should.
     "This Lewis Hamilton I don't know. He went behind my back to sign a contract with my team, he kicked me off the team and the worst thing about it was... He didn't even tell me," I say. I keep my eyes on him, but his eyes aren't on mine.
     "I cannot trust you, anymore," I continue. "You took my trust for granted and I cannot allow myself to walk the path twice." I watch him visibly swallow. I assume he knows what is coming.
     "What are you saying?" he questions.
     "I cannot continue this relationship with you, Lewis," I say. It feels relieving to say those words after months. I have had months preparing this, distancing myself from him. "A part of me will always love you, but the damage is too great to be repaired and I have to put myself in the first place." I watch his shoulder slump as my words finally reach him.
     "For what it's worth, my deepest apologies. I wish you all of the luck in the world tomorrow," he says and silently leaves my hotel room. My brain needs a moment to process but then I realize it has finally happened.

The next day, my focus was on this race. The first goal is getting to Max, the second goal is if goal one sinks into the sea... Keep Checo behind me. I stand in the front row with Max and wait for the lights to go out. The adrenaline builds up and before I know it, we are off.
     Within the first laps, I notice something is off with Max. He appears to have issues with his car because I get to him and I move to first place. I move to first place... First place! Okay, focus.
     "WHERE ARE WE?" I shout through the radio as I cross the finish line.
     "P1, I confirm, P1!" P1. P1! OH MY GOOOOOOOOD. I won my fucking first race.
     "And Charles?" I question.
     "P2, P2, that's a 1-2 finish!"
     "Tell Charles to come close," I say. I let out a scream of happiness as I saw Charles' car next to mine. I glance aside to see him giving me the thumbs up. I return the gesture and we drive side by side to the pitlane.
     What a fucking race.

SUMMER BREAK

Thompson seeks revenge by signing a contract with Red Bull for the 2025 season.

A smile graces my lips as I see the post spreading like wildfire through Twitter. You will regret dumping me out of the team.
     "Welcome by the team," Christian smiles. "I know your capabilities in the car but your friend was persuasive enough to convince me." I scowl and tilt my head. I do not know what he means. I watch him shift his eyes away from mine and I glance over my shoulder to see Charles. Did he talk to Christian for me?
     "You mean Charles?" I question. Christian nods and indeed confirms that Charles is looking out for her. He partly secured her seat for the next season.