„Thats P16, buddy. So close to Q2, sorry mate."

Shit, he fucked up, again.

"Yeah, sorry about that! Will try my best for the race tomorrow. Sorry." Oscar mumbled and sighed as he turned of the radio. He was so stupid.

It was his first home race ever and he managed to screw it up. Just like in Bahrain. And also in Jeddah even though he made it to Q3 there he still screw up the race. Not only his own race but also his teammates race.

Oscar still didn't understand how Lando wasn't mad at him. In general he was surprised that nobody was mad at him. At Alpine they would've always made him the fool. Made him feel guilty. So he just didn't know why no one was mad at him. Because it was his fault.

As soon as he got out of the car he took a look to Q2 and saw Lando. At least one of them was able to make the team proud.

Oscar felt awful. Not only because he disappointed his team but even more because he disappointed the whole Aussie fans. It was his home race and people made very clear that they wanted to see Daniel here. So he at least wanted to show them that he is a good driver. Missing out on Q2 by this little bit was painful and he felt like he disappointed the whole country.

Oscar hid into his driver room. He didn't feel like interacting with people at the moment. Sooner or later he had to go out for the media but maybe he could at least have five minutes for himself.

The interviews were awful. He felt like he would throw up any second. He explained that it was his fault as he didn't get enough out of it.

"Oscar!", a voice called from behind as he made his way back to his drivers room. Zak Brown. Shit. "Yeah?", he turned around and looked nervously at his boss. "Sorry about qualifying. I'll do better in the race, I promise.", he hastily spoke. Maybe it would make Zak less angry. He really didn't want to get into trouble with his new boss.

"Oh no, it's all good. The car isn't what we all wanted. Just wanted to know if you are alright? Haven't seen you after Q1."

Zak had a little smile on his face. He knew the car wasn't the best and that it was hard to cope with it. But what was even more important is that the drivers didn't beat themselves up. Zak knew that Oscar and Lando would always find something to make themselves the fools. In any situation. And right now he was concerned about Oscar because of his home Grand Prix. He just wanted to check if the youngest driver on the grid was alright.

"Yeah, I am okay, thanks." Oscar's voice was a little shaky. Was Zak serious? Did he really care? No one ever did at Alpine.

"Okay, good! Don't beat yourself up to much.", and with that the CEO of McLaren left.

Oscar shook his head. He must be dreaming, really.

✰

Lando ended up on p13. Could've been better but he knew that he made a few mistakes. So it was alright. At least he made it to Q2.

As he made his way to his drivers room he looked at the door next to his room.

Oscar Piastri

The Brit felt sorry for the Aussie. Although he was only three positions in front of him he wouldn't want to imagine what it's like to be out in Q1 at his home race.

Lando must admit that he felt really proud as he heard that Oscar made it to Q3 in Jeddah two weeks ago. Before he even thought about it Lando knocked on the door to Oscars room. Hopefully the Aussie was in there.

"Yeah?" Lando looked into dark brown, sad eyes as soon as the door was open.
"Hey!" "Hey? What are you doing here?", the younger one asked. He looked defeated. "Can I come in?", Lando simply asked and he saw the panic immediately in Oscars eyes.

What the hell?

"Alright, I guess.", Oscar said and opened the door slightly so Lando could make his way in.

Lando looked around. He never had been to the drivers room of the other. The Brit was surprised that there were only McLaren things and no picture of his family or so. In his own drivers room he always had some pictures for the motivation. Oscar knew that he was allowed to have not only McLaren stuff un his room, right? Maybe he should show him his drivers room in quite some time.

He turned around to face Oscar and asked: "are you alright?" Oscar just nodded and added a simple: "yes and you?" before putting on a fake smile. Lando sighed. "I am good. P13 is alright for the mistakes that I made. But that's not why I am here. Please, Oscar. Be honest! Are you alright? I can see it in your eyes." The younger shrugged his shoulders: "why would you care? You don't have to talk to me just because Zak tells you to do so. I am used to it."

Lando frowned. What was going on? He knew that Alpine didn't treat Oscar the best. That wasn't a secret, especially after the contract stuff it got even worse. But did they make him feel like a bad person? If yes, it would make a lot of sense.

"No, he didn't asked me. I am here because I want to and because I care. I don't know what these idiots from Alpine told you but you are great guy. And I hope you know that."

Lando sat down on the sofa and signed with his hands to Oscar that he could sit next to him. Weird because this was the room of the Aussie.

Oscar slowly made his way to Lando and sat down with a little space between them. But Lando didn't care. He put his arm around Oscar and forced the other one to look at him.

"I know what it's like to have the first home Grand Prix. You feel nervous and anxious. And believe me, you will still feel nervous and anxious in five years time. But that's okay because that is what a home Grand Prix is for. It's your first ever home Grand Prix and just because you qualified p16 doesn't mean that you are a bad driver. It doesn't define you. You will have plenty of qualifying sessions and you will do good in many of them. You are a great driver, everyone knows that. Whole Australia is behind you and even if tomorrow doesn't end like we all want for you then that's okay. Remember that this is your rookie year. No one expects you to be on the podium!"

Oscar just stared at him for a second before he sunk into Lando's arms. The Brit hasn't hugged him directly because he didn't know if Oscar was comfortable with it and now the younger one made that step himself. Lando was really happy about that.

The 23 year old wrapped his arms properly around Oscar and just holds still as he realises that the younger one cries.

He remembered the time when Carlos did that with him. Carlos just gave him comfort and Lando was more than happy the Spaniard hadn't said anything. That's why he chose not to say anything here aswelle. Sometimes silence is enough.

"Thank you.", Oscar mumbles but stays in that position. He doesn't really want to let go right now. But that's okay because Lando doesn't want to either.

He just hopes that the race tomorrow will end up good. With points for both of them.

Almost 1300 words haha
I just wrote what came into my mind xD

I am literally crushed about Oscars qualifying. He was sooo close to make it to Q2. Just because of his two bad cool down rounds the tyres were to cold and he couldn't really fire up.
Also Landos qualifying wasn't the best.
It's McLarens year, guys, definitely lmao

But anyway, I hope you liked the oneshot?
Let me know in the comments:))