Chapter Text
Charles groaned as his eyes fluttered open. His whole body felt sore from his last winter training or maybe it’s from the fact that he woke up on the cold hard wood floor at the foot of his hotel bed. How did he get here again ?
Exhaustion had blurred the memories of the night before. He could recall a plane ride, a faint part of dinner with most of the grid, a cramped elevator ride then…. nothing until now.
With a heavy sigh, he pressed his forehead against the cool glass of the coffee table next to him as the throbbing of his head dissipated along with sleep's grogginess. Fucking dehydration. The Bahrain heat sure was unforgiving, he must have forgotten to drink before passing out. He couldn’t afford getting sick, not when testing was just a few days ahead.
After finally managing the pain and stretching his stiff muscles, he grabbed a fresh water bottle from the mini fridge. This whole time his phone has been vibrating in his back pocket. Who could be spamming him so early ?
Landoooo invited you to Padel Tournament 🏸 group chat along with Mad Max🦁, Albono🐈 and 3 others…
Landoooo:
GUYS !!!! Did yall forget about our Padel Tournament ??
GET YOUR LAZY ASSES OVER HERE
me and Osc are waiting
Princess George ✨:
We said 11 am
You’re 27 minutes early.
Landoooo:
Exactly so you better be on time !!!!
Princess George ✨:
Also what are those names ?
Landoooo:
Hehehe as admin I have all the powers so you better behave 😈
@Lancey DONT FORGET THE EQUIPEMENTS !!!
Lancey:
On it 🫡
Ill ask Nando if he wants to join over breakfast
Osc:
Sure but youre banned from teaming up
Albono 🐈 :
Yeah at least give us a slight winning chance !
Lancey:
You cowards 💔
Mad Max🦁:
Actually you need to team up with Charlie to make things fair
:Percival 🆑
?? EXCUSE YOU !! What are you implying by that
By the time he’d finished eating his room service breakfast and chugged down nearly a litter of water mixed with Liquid IV, he was up and ready to go… and was also late. Snatching his hotel card, water and phone he sprinted to the padel court on the 1st floor.
He was sweaty and out of breath by the time he arrived, only to find his friends lazily sprawled on the floor. Lando, Alex and George playing cards while Oscar and Max were animatedly debating about something related to sim setups.
“Aw, you guys didn’t have to wait for me, you know !”
Max shot him a smirk.“Believe me we would have gone without you if we could, but Lance seems to be taking his sweet time and he’s the one with most of our gear.”
“And here I thought you guys were thoughtful….” He said in mock disappointment as he sat next to George, who was frowning down at his watch. “Seriously, what is taking him so long ? It's been 10 minutes now”
Oscar next to him shrugged, idly playing with his racket. “Maybe he realized Fernando is a much more entertaining opponent than us…"
Just then the Canadian stumbled into the court gaze hollow, staring at the void.
“Oh there you are !” Lando started before snorting. “Woah ! Lancey, you look like you’ve seen a ghost !”
But as he got closer the laughter died in his throat seeing exactly how pale Lance’s face was, almost livid.
“I… I think I did”
Lance pointed towards a tennis court further ahead. Through the plexiglass Charles could see two men were playing. Squinting, he recognized Fernando and Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn’s presence was odd as it is but it wasn’t what made their blood run cold. Something was wrong, very wrong.
They look young.
Not well rested or healthy, but at least a decade younger. Their face didn’t have the slight wrinkles it usually had, their stance was different and haircuts too. As if they had come straight from 2014.
He must be going crazy, there’s no other explanation.
Before he could process any of this, Alex’s voice cut through the silence. His gaze was trained on his phone, eyes wide.
“Um guys ? You may want to see this…”
They all shuffled closer to glance at the article on the screen.
F1 IS BACK: THE GRID AND MAJOR STORYLINE AHEAD OF 2024
The 2023 silly season has been one of the craziest we’ve seen, the grid has known drastic changes, with plenty of exciting new stories to look forward to ahead of winter testing.
Red Bull Racing: Max VERSTAPPEN 33 & Sebastian VETTEL 1
Can Verstappen get the upper hand over the reigning World Champion ? After their exciting Championship battle in 2023, won by Vettel by barely 5 points, can the 24 years old Verstappen finally turn the tables over his now 2 times World Champion teammate ? How will the team handle the transition from one Golden boy to another ? Team advisor Helmut Marco is clear on the strategy to take… Read More
Ferrari: Charles LECLERC 16 & Kimi RAIKKONEN 7
Return of the King, can the prancing horse rebuild with this royal lineup ?
The last Ferrari Champion is back after an excellent F1 comeback stint at Renault. Can Raikkonen help reshape the team after disappointing seasons ? They had been under fire last year for their controversial team strategies with Alonso and Leclerc. Will that change this year ? When asked Leclerc sounds optimistic at the prospect of the Iceman’s return …Read More
McLaren: Lando NORRIS 4 & Jenson BUTTON 22
The Papaya team has had an impressive jump in performance at the end of 2023. Can their 2024 car replicate such right from the start ? “We have a really strong lineup and are both ready for a championship fight” Claims 2017 champion Jenson Button confident in his and his teammate’s abilities to challenge Red Bull and Ferrari. After the victory miss in Singapore, Lando Norris confides about his mentality on the season ahead… Read More
Mercedes: George RUSSELL 63 & Nico ROSBERG 6
Can Russell prove worthy of the seat after years of waiting ? Ever since Nico Rosberg won the 2022 championship, the Silver Arrows team had been divided between him and 4 times World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Which culminated in the latter making the swap with George Russell at Williams. Golden opportunity for the young Brit who had been very impressive last season. Can he replicate it in the works team with Nico now fully leading it ?… Read More
Aston Martin: Lance STROLL 18 & Fernando ALONSO 14
The beginnings of a new front runner ?
Another World Champion switching to a new project, after multiple near misses at Ferrari the 34 years old Spaniard is ready for a clean start. "The team had been slowly establishing themselves with Perez’s podium last year and is ready to take a jump to the front.” told us Team Principal Mike Krack. But is this endeavor not a way for Alonso to escape Leclerc who had been catching up to him back at the Italian team ? … Read More
Williams: Alexander ALBON 23 & Lewis HAMILTON 44
Reconstruction under 4 times World Champion Lewis Hamilton’s supervision.
“This will not happen overnight but I’m confident and fully invested in the team ” After a public fallout with Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton decided to join James Vowles and Alexander Albon in their project to rebuild the historic Grove’s team ahead of the new 2026 regulations. Will the gamble pay ? Hear the analysis of former Williams Champion Daimon Hill… Read More
Renault: Oscar PIASTRI 81 & Carlos SAINZ 55
Can Piastri take his mark in his first full season ? Sainz’s 2023 season has been cut short by a broken leg after a scary crash in the streets of Singapore. Thankfully, reserve driver Oscar Piastri quickly learned how to adapt to the car and delivered quite impressive results by Raikkonen’s side. “I wouldn’t have been able to manage without Carlos’ mentoring” the pair has always been known to be close but now the fully healed Spanniard will be his biggest rival, how will the rookie fend off against him ?… Read More
Haas: Esteban OCON 31 & Nico HULKENBERG 27
The American team teams up with Esteban Ocon with a brand new team principal Ayao Komatsu in an effort to become a consistent Top 10 scorer… Read More
Alpha Tauri: Pierre GASLY 10 & Yuki TSUNODA 2
The Red bull sister team is ready to take it’s independence. Lauren Mekies talks about the future for the team… Read More
Sauber: Valteri BOTTAS 77 & Daniel RICCIARDO 3
As they build up for the Audi takeover in 2026 the team decide to opt for an experienced lineup with two great drivers who will help them with precise analysis… Read More
“And that’s not the only one…” Alex continued to scroll around and every picture, every article showed the same surreal lineups.
“What in the world—” Oscar's voice trailed off. Lando circled around them laughing in disbelief. “This is all a joke… Right ?”
Charles ran a hand through his hair, frown deepening as dread started to settle in his guts. “This must be a dream. There’s no way— OW ! What the hell Max ??” He jerked back rubbing his stinging arm, Max stared back deadpan.
“Now you know you’re awake. This is… real”
A heavy silence ensued, all of them struck by utter incomprehension as their minds scrambled looking for a rational explanation. How could this even happen ?
After what felt like an eternity George cleared his throat awkwardly trying to break some of the tension “So… What now ? Winter testing starts in 4 days…”
This has been the most surreal two hours of Charles’ life, as they tried to retroactively piece out this world’s timeline through internet articles and media posts. As weird and fictional it sounded, they couldn’t deny the facts: They somehow ended up in another reality where their sport was completely different.
All seven of them ended up regrouped in George’s hotel room, as the brit was setting up his computer.
“Come on George ! You can't be serious about this whole powerpoint thing ! At a time like this ??”
Alex giggled, patting Lando's shoulder.
“Leave him be, this is the only control he still has over his life” The younger man groaned impatiently, sprawling on the bed
After another minute of preparation, the Mercedes driver clapped loudly calling their attention as the TV switched to the presentation.
“Alright folks ! This is the summary of all our research on what we know so far and our course of action for the foreseeable future. Oscar you start”
‘CRASH COURSE: HOW TO SURVIVE AN ALTERNATE REALITY’
The Australian awkwardly got up from his seat on the couch, slightly hesitant as he spoke. “Right, first of all, from what I’ve seen there seems to be no other major changes outside F1, not in our families, friends, staff, mainstream events. So that’s good at least”
George nodded switching the slide on the screen “So these right there are the main differences compared to our reality”
2024 Grid:
Red Bull: S.VETTEL
Ferrari: K.RÄIKKÖNEN
Mercedes: N.ROSBERG
McLaren: J.BUTTON
Aston Martin: F.ALONSO
Williams: L.HAMILTON
Renault: C.SAINZ Jr & O.PIASTRI
Max raised his arm as if he was in class. “Excuse me, but I think your graphic is shit mate.”
“Yeah well sorry, I was in a time crunch.” The brit scoffed, glaring at the blond, before turning to the other person raising their hand. “Yes Alex ?”
“Um, I was just wondering how Fernando being at Aston constituted a difference ?”
“Well I’m glad you asked this totally not prepalanned question !” He switches slides. “The differences don't reside only in the lineup, as we saw everybody is younger with different careers too.”
Careers:
NR6: 2022 Champion, Mercedes
SV1: 2018 & 2023 Champion , Red Bull
JB22 : 2017 Champion, McLaren
LH44 : 2016 2019 2020 & 2021 Champion, McLaren & Mercedes
KR7 : 2015 Champion, Ferrari
FA14 : 2014 & 2013 Champion, Renault
“So in truth we’re looking at 33 years old Fernando in is first year at Aston”
Silence settled in the room as they all stared at the slide. On it was displayed multiple pictures of said impossible events. This couldn’t feel more surreal yet the proofs had been undeniably in front of them earlier.
After the brief pause, the presentation continued. “Meanwhile Carlos and Alex are said to be 26 yo. Me, Max and Charles 24yo, Lando and Lance 23 and our little Oscar 21. Yeah, we got a bit younger too it seems” George looked far less unsettled than the rest of them as he spoke. Probably because he rehearsed this multiple times in his head, at least that was Charles' working theory.
“Our tactic will be very easy: Stay vague about events, try to gather more infos and refer to the relationship charts I’ve provided each of you before talking to someone. Now— Yes Oscar ?”
“I think there’s an issue with mine. It says ‘Great friends’ under Carlos’ name…?” The young Australian looked utterly distraught by the words displayed on his paper, as if that was the most unbelievable thing from today.
“That’s because you guys are in this reality. In past interviews ‘you’ referred to him as a ‘Big brother figure’, so you’ll have to play the part.”
“… I’m not exactly known for liking the guy you know”
“Well we’re going to need to work on that.”
“I can help !” Lando enthusiastically turned to his teammate, smiling “I always dreamed of you two getting along !”
“Thank you Lando. Well-”
Lance, who was also blankly staring at his chart, slowly raised his hand as well. “I can’t believe it took a whole multi dimensional travel for you guys to be invested in my powerpoints. Yes ?”
“Could you explain the big bold ‘AVOID’ next to Nando ?”
“Right, well Charles is going to explain this part.”
Charles stiffened from his place on the couch as everybody turned to him. “Me ?”
“Yes you Charlie, you’re the one who reported on that Ferrari stuff, right?”
“Right… So as said earlier, this is not the Fernando we know but the one from 10 years ago. When he was known to dislike and play mind games to direct competition such as teammates. And by the sound of it he didn’t really come to like me much from the years at Ferrari”
That was quite the understatement, the team seemed to have used some good old driver order tactics which caused a lot of internal tensions. Charles never thought he’d ever see a clip where the ‘Fernando is faster than you’ phrase was directed at him yet here we are.
“A lot of time the team asked him to let ‘me’ pass so he’s quite on the fence about all of this. He doesn’t seem to be wanting to change with the new team”
Lance brows furrowed in confusion. “There’s no way he thinks of me as direct competition tho.”
“Well um… he kinda does. Seeing your status as the son of the CEO and all... He said some blunt things about you in the past… Sorry mate.” The Canadian stiffed at that, lips tight as he tried to contain his disappointment and hurt, slowly sulking back against the bed.
“I see… Guess I’ll need to find another padel partner then” The rest of the group winced at the sight, it may be hard for Oscar to pretend to appreciate someone he dislikes but it was infinitely better than being hated by one you consider a close friend.
While Max awkwardly tried to pat Lance’s back for comfort, Alex clapped trying to dissipate the bleak atmosphere.
“It’s okay guys ! This is all temporary, we will look for a solution ! Right George ?”
“Of course this is just a worst case scenario. Who says we will not wake up tomorrow with everything back to normal.”
“God, I sure hope so… I can’t believe I’m driving for Alpine. With Carlos of all people !”
“Renault actually please mind that, Oscar. About that you’re the only one not in his original team, think you can handle it ?”
“Yeah well, I’ll just act like a semi clueless rookie and stick around one of you guys” Max turned with a shit-eating grin towards the younger man.
“You may need to stick around your new best friend better”
“With all due respect, I’d rather not”
With the initial shock passing, they started to feel more comfortable as they sat down eating lunch in one of the hotel’s restaurants. The tension in the air slowly lifted with light jokes and giggles. After all they were still F1 drivers at the end of the day and a change of grid won’t affect their lifestyle or performances. Lando glanced at his friend beside him, raising an eyebrow.
“You seem to be taking this pretty well Max. You’re not even the world Champion here.” The Dutchman shrugged, smiling. While it was a bit disappointing to not wear the number 1 after the impressive 2023 season he had, it didn’t weigh down on his optimism.
“Oh yeah, I’m more excited than anything. It’s not everyday you could share a grid with some of the best drivers in their prime. We may learn a lot from them” Even Oscar, who was in the most delicate position racing for the French team he resented, had relaxed a bit. He’s right, maybe this is a great learning opportunity
That was until he felt someone sliding beside him, their arm wrapping around his shoulder with a distinct Spanish accent as they spoke.
“I see you made friends. You’re not ditching me are you Osc ?”
Forget what he just said, this is his personal nightmare right here.