Forever and always

Chapter forty-nine

Olivia's pov:
April 2022

It was finally time for qualifying here in Australia! Yesterday we were back at the track after the drivers had a whole week off, we had some really good days together, we had so much fun! - The two first free practices went really well yesterday, Charles topped the second one and Max topped the first, what's not to like.

"Are you ready, love?" Charles asked, we were sitting in the car that had just pulled up at the track. "I'm ready, let's do it" I smiled, it was our first time arriving at the track together as a couple again, and the first time the fans were seeing us back together. Because yesterday I spent all day in Max's garage and I also arrived with him.

We stepped out of the car, Charles took my hand and then we walked towards the paddock entry together hand in hand. "Omg, Olivia Charles can we get a picture!" a few fans yelled, and everyone was taking pictures of us. We walked to the fans and took some pictures with them, they were really sweet, and told us how happy they were that we are back together.

We then afterwards scanned our access cards and walked into the paddock, a few different photographers from different media were taking pictures of us walking together holding hands and smiling, of course these pictures are going into the media. Together we walked towards the ferrari hospitality, on our way we greeted a few other drivers such as Alex, George, Kevin and Lance. When we walked inside we greeted Mattia, before we walked to Charles's drivers room, he just quickly had to put his stuff. Then he had to go over some statistics and data, so meanwhile I just hung out around their hospitality, not doing much to be honest, just taking it all in, I loved being here.

A few hours later the last practice of the day had passed, and it was now time for qualifying to begin. I was as standard procedure standing in the back of the garage with some huge headphones on blocking all the noise, next to me Nicholas and Andrea were standing. His manager and physiotherapist. The green lights went out and the first of three sessions began. Kevin and Alex were out as the first, and a little later Charles was out going for a good lap. Eventually Latifi spun in turn 11, which sent him into the gravel, the yellow flag was out briefly, but quickly away again. Carlos was first right now, and Charles behind, it was a 1-2 to ferrari, which we definitely like to see.

Many drivers were out on track setting good times, then the session was stopped as a red flag was out. Latifi had now crashed in turn six, it looked like there had been some contact with Lance. - After a few replays it was a big misunderstanding, Nicholas pulled aside to let Lance though, but Lance wasn't on a great lap so Nicholas went to go back past, and then Lance didn't see him pulling out again and then they collided. It was a big one for Nicholas, he lost one of his wheels and hit the barrier, just like he also lost his front wing.. Lance had "only" lost his front suspension..

After the track got cleared the last two minutes of Q1 could begin, it was over pretty fast. But everyone was out trying for better laps. But in the end it was over for Alex, Kevin, Seb, Nicholas and Lance, they weren't through to Q2..

A little break later the lights went green again, and the second session began. It was a pretty chill one, the red bull drivers kept overgoing each other, and eventually Charles sneaked into second with Max in front. Of course they were though, the ones not through were Pierre, Valtteri, Yuki, Zhou and Mick. I was really happy that Max and Charles were though, but also Daniel I was really happy for my best friend, he deserved this.

Q3 began and Max was the first out on track, followed by a few others. It looked great for both red bull and ferrari, which was great!. - In turn 11 Alonso hot the barriers, and he was now done for this last qualifying session, it was a shame since he was on his best qualifying of the year, no doubt. Carlos's lap was ruined since he was right behind Fernando, which was a shame as well since Carlos was on a really fast lap. - After a little while Fernando was out of the car, and that is the most important thing.