The weekend at Silverstone was coming to an end. Charles and Carlos started back-to-back in today's race, which was a double-edged sword. I know they would both fight for the front position, but I also know what happened when our drivers decided to fight for the same position. I had decided to talk to Charles and Carlos about this before it was too late. I didn't want to be the bone of contention on this team.

 Carlos and I started our day with coffee and breakfast in our room. Sainz preferred to order room service so that he could calmly eat all the restaurant's possible offerings without being criticized. But that's why I was there - to remind him that a big breakfast is not the best decision before a race.

 - Do you think you can last 52 laps without throwing up in a cockpit? - I asked him as I watched him roll up his fifth pancake with jam.

 - The next portions are for you, Muñeca - he answered me and winked at me.

 - Very nice, Carlos, but we don't have much time -  I smiled and put my hand on his before he took the next pancake.

- Lissie , we wake up two hours earlier so that we can have time to do all the preparatory activities before the start of our working day - the Spaniard shook his head. - We have time for everything.

- Then call Charles - I said and seemed to throw a grenade into the middle of the room.

Sainz fell silent and looked at me seriously. He wiped his hands and leaned back in his chair without breaking eye contact with me.

 - And why should I call Charles? - he asked coldly in his Spanish accent.

 - To come here and talk with us - I answered seriously. - What happened yesterday at the Qualifying is unacceptable. I don't want it to happen again today, so I want to discuss it with both of you.

 - It was supposed to be "our" time - said my friend edifyingly.

 - After the end of the competition weekend, we will have a lot of our time - I smiled and got up from my seat. - I'm going to change, and you call Charles. To be here within 5 minutes... And without delay.

 I didn't give Sainz a chance to contradict me and headed to our bedroom to get ready for today.

 In uniform, with light makeup and hair done, I emerged from our room just in time to meet Charles in the small living room. The Monegasque greeted me with a big smile and a twinkle in his eye and sat down on the couch, making Carlos uncomfortable. The Spaniard had furrowed his brows and clenched his jaws as if trying to suppress the urge to tear Charles apart.

- Can you be more cheerful babe? - I whispered in his ear, breaking away from him. - Old Money etiquette does not allow such behavior.

 He let out a heavy sigh and sat down on the couch next to his teammate.

 - Why did you call me, Lissie? - Leclerc asked curiously.

 - I'll be direct - I answered seriously, placing my hands on my waist. - Because of your performance yesterday. This cannot go on like this. I demand from you team spirit, good attitude towards each other and above all respect.

 - I don't understand you, Lissa... - Charles interrupted me, but I raised my hand to stop him.

 - Let me continue - I said. - I want to clarify - Carlos you have no reason to be jealous, and Charles you have no reason to compete with your teammate to impress me. If you're going to compete on the track, let it be about who scores more points FOR THE TEAM. In my eyes, you have long taken your positions and neither of you will rise to the occasion by embarrassing your teammate. Am I clear?!

 Both boys nodded in agreement. Charles was looking stressed and Carlos was already in the zone out.

 - Guys, I love you both, each in some way, each has a place in my heart and I'm begging you, don't let our friendship be spoiled by mixing personal with work relations - I crossed my arms in front of my chest. - We started as the trio that will make the Scuderia great again, so let's continue this way. We are like...

 I started snapping my fingers because suddenly the name I wanted to give us slipped out of my mind.

 - The Three Musketeers? - the boys said at the same time and looked at each other.

 - Exactly! - I exclaimed. - We are the three musketeers and will continue to be so. Okay?!

 Carlos stood up slowly and extended his hand to me, then turned to his teammate and motioned for him to stand up.

 - One for all... - the Spaniard looked at me questioningly.

 - All for one - Charles and I added in unison and placed our hands on his.

 After this motivational meeting, I felt much better, as if a hundred kilograms of weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

 - I suggest we go to the paddock so we won't be late -  Charles smiled and patted Carlos' shoulder. - And we're going to have a little competition - Whoever gets out of the ice bath first buys dinner!

- I bet you'll be first - Sainz laughed and hugged his teammate.

 I sighed and smiled widely. These were my dear friends, the company I started working with at the Scuderia.

#

 It was time for the race. The weather outside was sunny, but there were light clouds. We had 52 laps to go, at 28 degrees of asphalt and 21 degrees of air. The strategy I had decided on was to start with Medium tires in order to be on the track as long as possible, and then switch to Hard tires. A single pit stop strategy, this could have helped us get further up the rankings. I can't guarantee a podium, but we were guaranteed more points in the general ranking.

 Right at the start of the race, Russell overtook Sainz and now our driver took P6. On lap 5, Russell was behind Leclerc trying to pass him.

 - Leclerc, advice from me - I turned on my microphone. - In the braking zone, block his attempts to overtake.

 - Are you sure they won't give us a penalty? - asked the Monegasque.

 - Don't worry, they are saved for Ocon - I said barely holding my laughter. - You have to break away from him.

 In two turns, Charles was able to parry Russell's attacks.

 Lap 9 has arrived.

 - Charles watch out for Russell and hold him back so Sainz can get into his DRS zone - I instructed.

 - A copy.

 - Sainz, I want you to get as close as possible to Russell - I gave another instruction. - Rain is expected for up to 3 minutes, so you should be as close as possible to his rear wing.

The battle with the Mercedes driver lasted nearly ten laps.

 - Sainz, we're taking plan B - Ricky instructed the Spaniard.

 - What was plan B, Ricky, I forgot - Sainz answered us, and I shook my head indignantly.

 - Wait a second... I'll tell you... - the race engineer was embarrassed and turned to me for help. - Lissa...?

 - Charles enters for hard tires and Sainz stays on the track - I explained with a heavy sigh into the microphone. - We will do a crossing strategy, when everyone starts to enter the box, Charles will raise the positions. And this is an option to have only one pit stop.

 I looked at Mekies, who gave me an approving nod. Charles was first called to the pits and took to the track in P12.

 It was lap 26 when Charles managed to overtake Stroll and then we called Carlos to pit. My friend took P12 and Leclerc got to P10.

 Gradually, our boys occupied P8 and P9.

 33 lap a virtual safety car was announced. Unfortunately Charles' tires were too worn and we had to call him in again for a change. Again he took P10 and Carlos P7.

 But on lap 44, first Perez, then Albon passed Carlos, and then Charles. And so the race ended with P10 for Sainz and P9 for Leclerc. Our performance was disappointing, but we still fought extremely hard against our opponents. I believed that at the next competition everything would be better and so I looked with hope to the next weekend - the week in Hungary.

Notes: Hey guys! Glad to see you here again. Here I am with the new chapter, a little bit shorter, but I am planning to publish again in a fer days so I am going to compensate you. I promise. 

I hope you liked the new chapter - give a star/comment if so, aaand see you in the next part.

Love you guys! <3

N16 XOXOXO