“Hey! No I don’t!”
Julien grabs his phone and texts a quick thanks to Rafael. He props the device up before he grabs the controller so he can see a reply if one comes in.
Rafael
Thanks for the show
Hope I get a private one later
Julien tries to focus on the race and block the text from his thoughts. When he blushes, he’s red all the way down to his chest. The last thing he wants is for someone to notice.
Julien catches himself staring at the iconic blue and red stripes radiating off of the circuit. It’s different, somehow, knowing that he’s here for Formation 1. Heavier in a way he hadn’t expected. More important.
He pulls his eyes away from the uniform lines to look up at the stands, waving as they slowly chug along in the driver’s parade.
Lorenzo had already warned him they wouldn’t make any official Julien merch, but he catches his name anyway, proudly displayed on the odd homemade sign. He points and waves and tries not to tear up.
If he doesn’t earn a seat for next year, at least he has this moment.
“Hello, hi, Julien Dubois,” someone says as they shuffle up next to him, knocking him into the railing. “We haven’t officially met yet? I’ve seen you in passing, of course, but thought I’d—hello.”
“Uh, hey Matt?” Julien’s been on the grid for nearly five races already. Surelyanyother time would be better for a casual chat. “Can this maybe wait?”
The Kaas driver looks between the Frenchman and his countrymen. “Sorry, for the timing, it’s kinda important.”
Laurent Gastaud leans into their space and mutters, “Please don’t.”
Yeah, don’t. Whatever it is, the two of them are the most disliked drivers on the grid. Julien almost doesn’t want to be caught speaking with them.
Despite his friend’s warning, Matt soldiers on. “Sim racing is a hobby of ours too. I’ve actually followed y’all since your twenty-four hour championship win a couple’a years ago.”
“Wait, really?” Julien’s team gains a bunch of followers after each race, but Matt is a real full-time Formation 1 driver with no other ties to him.“Really?!”
“I mean, I didn’t know it was you at the time, of course.” Matt’s shoulders bunch up and drop quickly. “A rose by any other name, right?”
“Right.” Is that it? Was that the important thing worthy of interrupting Julien’s home race drivers parade? “Well, thanks for the support.”
“Race data and strategy is actually a hobby of mine.” Guess they’re not finished yet. “I understand it might be considered rude to do so?—”
“Pleasedon’t,” Laurent tries again.
“—but I know you’ve been receiving advice from Rafael. Even collaboration across teams can be helpful because fresh eyes bring new perspectives.”
Laurent slides away until he and Robert Miller switch positions. The larger American looms over his teammate with something like concern, glaring at Julien as if to judge whether or not he’s a threat.
Matt doesn’t even seem to notice.
“You want me to give you Rafael’s advice?” Julien guesses. “It’s pretty specific to our car. I don’t know how much it would help you.”
“No, no, no, not me. I was wondering—areyouopen to hearing advice from others?”
Ah. Unsolicited advice. Great.
The truck bumps along the road, and Matt braces himself on his teammate. Did he even notice that the body he’s graspingisn’t his friend anymore? “I watched your stream this week. The shirtless one?”
“Shirtless?” Robert finally asks.
Great. That stream definitely needed more witnesses. Witnesses who know Julien both personally and professionally.
