All the Way - an F1 story

9

23 May , 2021
📍Monte Carlo, Monaco

To see Charles waiting for her past the gates was not something Calina wanted to see on her Sunday morning. He had a white box in his hands, secured shut by a scarlet ribbon, and the dumb grin on his face made her extremely nervous.

"What the fuck are you planning, Perceval?"

"Canari, calm down. I can't surprise you on your birthday?"

"Well, you're worrying me, and I know you've planned some stupid shit and I don't want to deal with you."

Charles huffed, looking disappointed in her, and she replied with a cheeky grin, proud of her ability to piss him off in such a short amount of time. "Just take this," he sighed, shoving the white box into her hands. "Open it."

"What is it?"

"Just open it."

"Charles."

"Canari, open it."

At the use of her silly nickname, Calina huffed, and Charles, knowing he'd won, now gave her a smug smile. She looked at the box, her eyes immediately landing on the photograph secured under the ribbon. It showed a group of young children: Calina, Charles, the twins, Lorenzo and Arthur, all on a balcony overlooking an all-too familiar street circuit and harbour. Written on the back, in Charles' unmistakable handwriting, read "Toujours le petit canari."

Calina looked up at Charles, and her thoughts were confirmed by his grin. Sitting inside the box was a bright yellow cardigan, an exact replica of the one she once owned when she was a child, except now much bigger. She burst out laughing, knowing this is exactly the type of thing only he would do.

"Oh my god," she said, pausing to laugh. "I fucking hate you!"

"You can kill me later tonight," Charles replied, already walking to his garage. "You're welcome, by the way!"

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BREAKING
GASPÉ'S FUTURE UNCERTAIN?

She stared at the article on her phone with a frown. She didn't recognize the site, or the author of the article, but it seemed to be from a small sports blog based out of London. She had done her best to ignore all the comments and criticism online, Elara having helped her filter her socials so she didn't have to any of it, but she let her curiosity get the best of her, and so she continued to read.

"With the 2021 Formula One season properly underway, fans are delighted to see the outcome of all the changes brought forth this year. The McLaren team and their change to a Mercedes power unit have proved to surge the team forward, claiming their first podium in Imola this year, and Ferrari have seemed to begin to find their footing after a disappointing 2020 season that saw them at the lower end of the midfield.
However, the biggest talk this year has been around newcomers Pagani, and the surprising success of their rookie driver, Calina Gaspé. While the young Italian-Monegasque has been hyped to be one of the best rookies the sport has seen, her future in Formula One is still uncertain.
A paddock insider has recently revealed the details of Gaspé's contract, or all that can be revealed to the media. Our source says Gaspé has only a one-year contract with the new team, and no talks have yet taken place on whether or not that contract will be renewed. Judging by her performance this year, and her overall demeanour outside the paddock, many suggest Gaspé entering Formula One was a scam, all for her to be the face for their "We Race as One" campaign, to promote equality and inclusivity in an already tolerating sport—"