SUMMARY: You and Max have friends from the grid over for a nice family day when they decide to try a trend on you...it doesn't go exactly as planned. Part of the Verstappen Family Verse
WARNINGS: Super short. fluff.
A/N: Another tiktok inspired drabble that I uploaded over on wattpad a while ago ;)
"Hold on a sec can you guys look after the parents please." Lando walked in his phone facing him before he propped it in front of you and Max.Â
Both of you saw the red icon indicating it was filming you. You looked up as those around you began laughing at your confused faces.Â
"What is this?" You asked smiling at the joke you weren't getting.Â
Aside from many other things one of the small factors that made you and Max so perfect for each other was the way you both were so disconnected from the internet even before having Lea and Ivy. It was easy to play viral pranks on you because you both were simply never aware they existed.Â
"What are we supposed to do?" Max turned around to look for Lando who had disappeared.Â
"Is this live or something?" You furrowed your brows leaning closer to the camera.Â
"PAPA! Look at what I drew!" Lea ran towards her dad completely distracting you both from the filming phone.Â
Lea climbed up on her dad's lap with his help. She held up the drawing showing a childlike depiction of the current scene. Children playing in your garden and her parents, uncles, and aunts sitting around the long table.Â
"Oh my god Lea this is amazing." Max beamed proudly turning the drawing around to show everyone around the table.Â
"Wow!" Compliments flew in from all of Lea's favorite people making her shy away and tuck herself in Max's chest.Â
"Mama I dwaw too." Ivy who was in a faze of copying everything her sister did attempted to climb up your lap. You picked her up placing her on your lap.Â
"Let's see what you drew my darling." You encouraged Ivy to show you.Â
She turned around showing a pink circle and a smaller purple circle with a bunch of scribbles of different colors around it.
"Wow, Ivy is that you and Lea?" You asked her pointing at the pink and purple circles knowing pink was Lea's favorite colour and purple hers.Â
"YES Mama!" She got excited at the fact you recognized her. "This is wando, this is auntie wiwy, this is uncwe Ozzie, this is auntie awex, this is uncwe chawie, this is-" She pointed at every scribble and you were surprised to find she'd matched the color of the scribbles to what they were wearing.Â
"Wow Ivy good job." Max also complimented his youngest daughter. "I have such talented daughters." The pride in Max's voice made you look at him lovingly.Â
"Can you guys draw me something for my house?" Dani asked the girls.Â
"YES!" They both cheered excitedly before shimmying of your laps and running back to their coloring area.Â
"Me too please!" Charles called out.Â
"And me!" Oscar called after followed by the others.Â
Both you and Max turned to look at each other huge smiles on your face. "We might have two artists in our hands." You commented.Â
Max placed a sweet kiss on your lips. "Maybe a little racer is in here." Max placed a hand on your growing bump, your noses brushing as you both looked at each other in adoration.Â
"Ugh, you both are too in love for this challenge." Lando walked back to the garden picking up the phone you both had completely forgotten about.Â
Everyone burst out in laughter as once again Max and you both looked at each other confused.Â
It's safe to say the f1 world went crazy at the video, a fact you were also too oblivious to. Â
After a long tiring season defined by struggle, Lewis Hamilton carries the weight of disappointment alone until one late night in Abu Dhabi, when you, his fan since 2017 reminded him that heâs never truly fighting by himself.
__________________
Tonight, it felt like a painting splattered with frustration. The sky burned gold, the floodlights flickered awake like giant stars, and every surface of the circuit glowed. But beneath it all, there was a heaviness in the air. One that every Lewis fan could feel.
You were in the grandstands clutching your LH44 hat, thumb rubbing the frayed brim like it was a charm. Your heart thumped hard as you watched the grid line up. Lewis all the way down in P16 not because he lacked the pace, not because he made mistakes, but because the SF-25 had spent all year tripping over its own potential.
You whispered under your breath, âCome on, champ⊠give them hell.â
The moment the lights went out, Lewis launched forward like someone who refused to accept the limits of his machine.
P16 â P14 â P12.
Every overtake made your heartbeat jump. Every corner he nailed felt like watching a master violinist forced to play with a cracked instrument, still beautiful, still genius, but frustratingly muted.
When he reached P10, the whole grandstand around you erupted. You screamed until your voice cracked, hands trembling with hope so fierce it almost hurt.
And then came the pit stop.
A stutter. A hesitation with the rear jack. A two-second delay that felt like someone had yanked your heart out.
You watched the timing tower in disbelief P10 â P12 â P14 â P18.
Back to P18.
Your hands dropped from your mouth to your knees. The breath left your lungs in a sharp, broken sound. âNot again⊠not againâŠâ you muttered, eyes burning.
But Lewis being Lewis, he didnât crumble. He dug his heels in, willed that stubborn red car forward, pushed as if carrying the entire weight of disappointment on his back.
P18 â P15 â P12 â P10 â P9 â P8.
He finished in P8. No podium⊠but a drive nobody else couldâve pulled off with that car.
You stood there as the fireworks went off, not celebrating but clapping as hard as you could, palms stinging, throat tight.
He gave everything.
In the paddock, after the race, after all celebrations and congratulationg Lando, Lewis walked with the slow, steady steps of someone who was more mentally drained than physically tired. His face carried the same polite smile he always gave after a tough race, the one fans recognized too well.
Everything. But it still wasnât enough.
The smile that meant he was putting on armor.
His lips smiled but his eyesâŠdidnât sparkle tonight, damn not even a glint.
George approached him, helmet still tucked under his arm. âMate⊠that was honestly unbelievable. You got that car to P8.â
Lewis smiled back. His polite smile. That soft, warm but not reaching the eyes.
âThanks, manâ he said. âTried my best as always.â
George clapped his shoulder, firm and brotherly. âYou did more than that.â
Lewis nodded, appreciative⊠but something behind his gaze stayed dim. Like heâd turned the lights off inside to protect himself.
Carlos walked over next, still in his Williams suit, hair sticking to his forehead.
âLewis⊠man, you were flying today. The race you did? Incredible.â
Lewis chuckled, a tiny, tired sound. âDid what I could.â
Carlos leaned closer, voice softer. âYou deserve more than what that car gave you this year.â
For a moment, Lewisâs lips curled into a genuine smile⊠but again, the eyes stayed the same, tired and guarded. Like he didnât want to burden anyone with how much it hurt.
Isack comes over next, almost jogged up, wide-eyed and earnest. âLewis, I⊠I just want to say that watching you and racing with you today was inspiring. No matter what, you keep pushing. I hope I can learn that from you.â
Lewis placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. âYouâve got a bright future, kid. Just keep your head down and keep working.â
A kind moment, a warm one but still...no sparkle, just polite appreciation.
Next was Valtteri, he didnât rush. He never did. He walked up quietly, stood beside Lewis for a few seconds, letting the silence settle before speaking.
âYou drove beautifullyâ he said softly. âYou deserved more than what you got this year.â
Lewisâs breath hitched just slightly. Valtteri noticed.
But still, Lewis forced another smile, this one a little wobbly. âIt happens. Some years are harder.â
Valtteri gave him a long look, a knowing one.
But even that even the comfort from someone who understood him wasnât enough to lift the heaviness in Lewisâs eyes.
He kept his shoulders straight, posture perfect, voice gentle⊠but his expression had that familiar muted ache.
A man trying to be strong, trying not to show disappointment on his podiumless year, trying not to let the world see how much he still wanted, desperately to stand on a podium again.
The drivers moved on one by one, but Lewis stayed still for a moment, breathing quietly, looking up at the night sky like he was searching for something heâd lost this season.
He smiled at everyone as he always does but his eyes remained soft, dull, and tired.
He hadnât truly smiled not the real Lewis smile that lit up his face all day.
â
The crowds were gone, the echo of engines had faded miles away, and all that was left was the hum of distant generators and the soft desert breeze sweeping through the empty walkways.
It was close to 11:30 PM when you made your way out of the fan area, your LH44 hat pulled low, your poster tube tucked protectively to your chest like a piece of your heart lived inside it. Your feet hurt, your throat was raw from cheering and groaning and holding your breath but it was your mind that felt loudest.
The whole walk you kept replaying the race, frustration curling tight in your ribs.
He deserved more.
He deserved better.
How many times can one man carry a car on his back?
You kicked a stray pebble on the pavement, muttering to yourself, âNext year, Lewis⊠next year weâre getting that podium again. I swear it.â
As you reached the dimly lit lot where staff and drivers parked, your pace slowed⊠then stopped altogether.
Because there he was.
Lewis Hamilton.
Hood up, Ferrari backpack slung over one shoulder, heading toward a sleek black car parked a few spaces away.
No cameras, no fans, well maybe you.
But it's just him, finally alone, finally unguarded moving with a tired grace that tugged sharply at your heart.
Your breath stuttered, blinking twice.
You genuinely wondered if your eyes were messing with you. âOkay⊠donât freak out⊠donât freak⊠outâŠâ you whispered, palms sweaty.
This was your chance. A once-in-a-lifetime moment.
And your legs moved before your courage caught up.
âUm...excuse meâŠLewis?â you called out softly, voice cracking.
He stopped mid-step and turned, lifting his hood slightly so he could see you better. His face looked gentler in the soft parking lot lights, a little weary, a little fragile but still unmistakably him.
He offered a small, polite smile. âHey. You alright?â
Your voice shrank to a whisper. âCould I maybe⊠um⊠get an autograph?â
He nodded immediately, stepping toward you with the kind of calm kindness that made you melt inside. âOf course. What do you have?â
Your hands trembled as you unrolled your old 2017 poster, edges worn, corners bent, colors slightly faded. It felt like showing someone a childhood diary.
You swallowed hard. âYeah. Thatâs when I became your fan. Havenât stopped since.â
He took the poster like it was something precious. Carefully and gently. He signed it slowly, almost thoughtfully, before handing it back to you with a warm smile.
And for the first time all dayâŠyou thought you saw the tiniest shimmer begin in his eyes.
Not a sparkle yet but the beginning of one. âThank youâ he murmured.
You didnât mean to say anything more. You didnât plan a speech. Your brain was a mess of adrenaline and awe. But your heart loved him too much to stay silent. âThe race today⊠you were incredible,â you blurted out.
He blinked, surprised.
You pushed on, words tumbling out fast, too honest, too emotional âThat car..I swear to god...I mean...sorry but the SF-25...itâs not giving you what you deserve, and still you fought like hell. And I just..I need you to know that it matters. That you matter. Youâre still the driver who made me fall in love with F1. And next year? Weâre getting it. Weâre absolutely getting it. I believe in you so much. Like stupidly much.â You finished with a breathless gasp, cheeks burning with embarrassment. You stared at your own shoes.
âIâm sorryâ you mumbled. âThat probably sounded insane.â
There was a heartbeat of silence. And then to your surprise Lewis breathed out a small, stunned laugh.
You glanced up and thatâs when it happened.
For the first time since the race ended since the entire frustrating, draining season ended, his eyes finally, truly sparkled.
Not the polite shine he used for cameras, not the exhausted gloss he used to hide disappointment.
A real sparkle, warm, bright and quietly emotional. The kind that lit up his whole face, like someone had turned the lights back on inside him.
He stepped a little closer, head tilted, voice low âYou know⊠Iâve had a lot of people tell me I drove well today. But hearing it from someone whoâs been with me for that longâŠâ He paused, searching your face with gentle gratitude. âThat means something different.â
Your breath caught, his voice softened even more.
âSome days you give everything you have and still fall short. And you start to wonder if people are getting tired of supporting you.â
He shook his head slightly. âBut here you are. Reminding me why I keep fighting.â
You blinked fast, suddenly emotional. âIâll never stop supporting youâ you whispered. âI swear even if you start from my house at the race, I'll still support you! Please don't give up! ferrari might made me...and your fans sad but I know someone out there like me doesn't stopped supporting you! You'll adjust on that car, on that enginee-I'm sorry... I'm probably yapping to much but I hope you keep your hopes up because we never stopped believing that you'll get that podium on red!â
Lewisâs smile grew reaching all the way into that newly reborn sparkle.
âThen Iâll make next year worth itâ he promised softly. âFor you all who supports me.â
Your heart felt like a balloon being filled gently, carefully.
He took a step back, giving you one more lingering, grateful look. âGet home safe, yeah?â
You nodded, speechless.
Lewis opened his car door, paused⊠then looked back at you one last time and his eyes were still sparkling.
Because of you.
And as he drove off into the quiet Abu Dhabi night, you knew one thing for certain
Fin.
Tonight, you werenât just a fan. You were the reason the seven-time champion found his sparks again.
Type: Not quite fluff but just a silly little adventure
Mockumentary AU
Summary: Detective Piastri is on the case when the best coffee machine on the grid (the one in the Ferrari Hospitality Unit) suddenly and mysteriously breaks... leaving a long list of suspects.
Warnings: swearing (if I've missed any please let me know and I'll add them!)
F1 Masterlist
âI was never even in the Ferrari hospitality, why would I be? Iâm a Williams driver now-â
âWhat do you have to say to this footage of you entering Ferrari hospitality the day of the incident?â
It cut to footage on a security camera outside of the Ferrari hospitality unit, a shadowy figure entering in the early morning before anybody else was around and leaving approximately ten minutes later.
The hood gets pulled down by a gust of wind and it is revealed that the person under the hood is⊠Carlos Sainz.
âI- uh,âHe stumbles for a moment, but finally looks to the side with his jaw clenched. âYou donât understand, that machine is, was, the best on the grid. It made espresso like my abuela.â
âSo you were in Ferrari hospitality the day of the incident? You were lying?â
âI wasnât lying per say. I mean, who would admit to being in the same place something turned up broken?â Carlos asked rhetorically before sighing.âI didnât do it, I promise.â
âYou said you saw someone in the Ferrari hospitality unit just an hour before the incident allegedly occurred? Can you elaborate?â
âYou didnât hear this from me, butâŠâ Esteban Ocon looked down to his intertwined hands, looking up with a slightly smirk. âLewiswas hanging around, looking at the coffee machine like it owed him something. Do with that what you will.â
âIsnât it a little suspicious that right after you join Ferrari, the coffee machine turns up broken?â
âLook, I only go in the hospitality area for Roscoe; and last I checked he isnât drinking coffeeâ Lewis Hamilton rolled his eyes, already bored after answering one question.
âWell, Esteban said that you looked suspiciousâ
âEsteban wants me to buy him a drink for a bet I didnât agree to- he is framing me, man!â Lewis moved his hands around as if that was going to help his point.
âIs it a coincidence that right after your old teammate joins Ferrari, the coffee machine ends up broken?â
âWhat are you trying to say here? That I broke it or that Lewis did it?â George Russell squinted his eyes as he tried to look around the camera to look at the interviewer (though everyone knew who it was by the voice alone).
âDid you break it? Maybe out of spite?â
âIâm British, I drink tea, and I especially wouldnât touch anything from Ferrari of all placesâ George rolled his eyes, as if the idea was atrocious to begin with.
âEveryone says itâs the best, thoughâ
âIt really feels like youâre trying to frame me here, so weâre doneâ He gets up and walks away, pushing the door to the outside open dramatically as everyone in the room just watched.
âThereâs been talk that someone has been awfully quiet since this all happened, any comments on that?â
âNot naming names or pointing fingers, but Max has been real quiet since this whole thing began, and we all know about âMaxplainingââ Pierre Gasly leant close- almost as if he was telling a secret.
âPierre says youâve been uncharacteristically quiet- any comments on that?â
âHe said that? I donât need coffee; I drink Red Bull. Thank you very much, and can someone tell me where Pierre is?â Max Verstappen huffs as he gets up from the chair and storms away to presumably find Pierre.
Footage of someone entering the Ferrari hospitality unit and then leaving an hour later with something small wrapped up in a napkin in one of their hands- a face clearly visible.
âThis footage was just uncovered, anything youâd like to say for yourself?â
âI was just grabbing a biscuit- I swear. Have you tried them? Theyâre too good to pass up but Charles only lets us in there once a day, manâ Lando Norris complained, leaning back in his chair with a small pout.
âSo you didnât enter the Ferrari hospitality building and break the coffee machine?â
âBreak the coffee machine? What are you guys-â Lando muttered to himself. âWait, it's broken?â
âYes, thatâs what this whole thing is about, Landoâ
âShit, I just thought they got some upgrades or somethingâ Everyone in the room collectively sighed at that comment.
âWhat do you have to say to texts found on your phone, one that reads: âThe Ferrari coffee machine is mine, back offâ?â
âI- I send those to my friends as jokes, I swear!âYuki Tsunoda exclaimed with wide eyes. âI only come for the snacks, you know? Like Lando does.â
âWhy didnât you mention Yuki also takes biscuits?â
âI didnât think it was important, we donât do it together or anything-â
âEverythingâs important in this investigation, Lando. This is seriousâ
âOh, come on. No one cares except Charles, which by the way isnât this âinvestigationâ like an infringement on like being close to the family or some shit, Osc-â Before Lando could continue, the camera shuts off but the mic is still on; and a fews words can be heard: âI hate youâ, âthis is stupidâ, and âwell youâre stupidâ.
âWhat do you have to say about this incident? Any inside knowledge?â
âI warned them. I said to them, âdonât touch the machine if you donât know how it worksââ Charles Leclerc takes a break to calm himself down (though this was the second break as he cried when sitting in the chair). âBut no one listens to Charles, do they? They just break everything good- that machine was the last good thing in my life, you have to find the culprit!â
âI will, dadâ Oscar Piastri nodded obediently, a determined look upon his face to find whoever did this to his adoptive fatherâs precious Ferrari coffee machine.
I'm genuinely at the point where I think the FIA are out here trying to stay relevant because that ENTIRE interview was a bunch of horseshit. No amount of context or rereading of it has been able to rid me of the amount of times I said what the fuck as I read it.
Seb has shown he isn't going to stop, he's just going to Captain Underpants himself into whole new levels of creatively supporting his causes.
Lewis sure as shit ain't backing down, this is same shit, different day for him.
Lando has a lot of people on that grid being more open about mental health than they have been. He may be more careful because of this interview bit Danny Ric won't shut up, Lewis won't shut up about it, Seb is gonna say stuff and so will Pierre and George and Alex and Max and Charles and Carlos because Lando did.
Y'all can have your faves and your narratives and your opinions and your beliefs and I'll respect them. Just don't sit there and say certain drivers didn't do shit just because you don't like them. You're feeding into the narrative that Ben Sulyam is peddling while "not forcing his beliefs" onto people.
Be a little louder, ride a rainbow bike, talk about how shit life can be and how you feel MORE than you usually would (if your comfortable obvs) because he's saying it shouldn't happen.