he hoped Oscar thought mostly the same as him and he did :3 as always!
like the way it’s always Lando making sure Oscar is seen and represented and noticed in media and social media etc bc Oscar is still focusing just on his driving and leaving other people to do the media and networking and non driving stuff - bc it’s still early in his career! and Lando was NOT a natural at on camera stuff when he started in Formula 1 and was painfully shy and he remembers what it’s like when your teammate knows what they’re doing and you don’t yet! Oscar sometimes takes the lead like Silverstone 2024 when he specifically said he wanted to cheer them/Lando up but otherwise he knows better than most (and literally says) that Lando is comfortably settled and established as a major player on the grid.
and there’s something very emotional in how Lando made this huge leap in himself and as a driver when he became The Leader and The Senior Authority and found a teammate who was genuinely overjoyed to have Lando be The Face and The Guy - esp when Lando was so dismayed and uncomfortable with the idea of being in that position in a dynamic at first. and that Oscar stalking/fanboying/knowing Lando so well as a driver and all he’s shared on stream and social media, means that Oscar knew Lando would be a great leader and wouldn’t be unwilling or intimidated by the idea of letting Oscar have an equal share in certain things. that Lando wouldn’t be toxic or arrogant or possessive (which certain group of Lando’s own fans often misrepresent him as bc they have warped ideas of him !!) and would actually thrive from having someone close to him in age and who was extra hungry - because unlike Carlos or Daniel and now Lando - Oscar has everything to prove about himself. he’s done exceptionally well but as someone staring down years of waiting in the wings not too long ago, he’s far from feeling established in the way he wants to be one day. Lando remembers that feeling very well so he’s the perfect one to see the bigger picture for both of them and have the most experience because he can see from both perspectives so recently!
like it’s just so sweet and subtle and specific to their dynamic in ways that make the whole brocedes/bust up/melodrama expectations keep falling flat. it’s not that they don’t argue or battle and it would be extremely weird if they didn’t want win all the time (and a 24yo driver with no major money behind him is NOT a candidate for a “spare” or support driver). it’s that they slot together so well even when it comes to drama and they hop on a plane together giggling and chatting mere hours later.
Oscar trusted Lando to lead and Lando learned to trust himself as a leader <3
