The silence in the room was broken by Pierre's alarm. He moaned and turned it off before coming close to Y/n again.

Y/n: Come on. We better get going.

Y/n tried to get up but Pierre held her tighter.

Pierre: Just wait a bit.

Y/n: Pierre you have to get to the track and participate in practice so you can get pole in qualifying.

Pierre: Fiiiiiiiiine. So pole hey?

Y/n: Of course! Have you been seeing your pace this weekend? Unstoppable.

Pierre: Thanks. Let's get ready.

Y/n got ready first and while she was waiting for Pierre she heard a knock on the door so got up to open it.

Y/n: Hey, what's-

Charles: Where's Pierre?

Y/n: Getting ready. What's wrong?

Charles: Are you guys public yet?

Y/n: No not yet.

Charles: Okay, well... can we talk quickly?

Y/n: Sure

Y/n stepped outside the room, closing the door behind her.

Charles: So, I suggest going public sooner rather than later... you see one of the journalists listed for the post race press conference is his ex. I didn't believe it when I saw it but it's her.

Y/n: Oh. But Pierre and her aren't remotely in contact so I shouldn't worry should I?

Charles: I wouldn't worry about Pierre more so than Abbie. He sorta hates her but she doesn't hate him one bit.

Y/n: What you actually getting at Charles?

Charles: I don't want you to hear it from anyone else. I also don't want you overthinking everything. Remember it's her job to talk to us. Pierre loves you and won't hurt you.

Y/n: I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. Should we tell Pierre?

Charles: He'll have gotten the list-

Pierre: -Gossiping are we?

Y/n: Not really. Time we go I say. Charles you're coming with us?

Charles: Sure

They headed to the paddock and it wasn't long before FP3 had come and gone. It was extremely close between Max and Pierre for FP3, so qualifying pace would be everything if Pierre wanted pole.

Tensions were obviously higher in the Alpha Tauri garage and even Pierre never spoke as much as a full sentence.

He was just putting his helmet on when he felt arms snake around his waist.

Pierre: The cameras?

Y/n: Not streaming here yet. You're gonna do great.

Pierre: I hope. Thanks.

Y/n: Hey.

She turned the Frenchmen to face her, lifting up his visor.

Y/n: You've been fastest all weekend. Don't change that now. I know you can do it. I'll be here when you're done.

Pierre: Love you.

Y/n: Love you too.

He moved past her and was climbing into the car before Y/n got a last word in.

Y/n: Pierre, if it's not pole, it's front row. I believe in you.

He winked at her before putting his visor down and pulling out of the garage.

Q1 finished and Pierre was well within Q2. Unfortunately Daniel was knocked out last minute... track limits or something. Y/n felt bad but knew he'd fight his way through the field tomorrow.

It wasn't long before Q2 and Pierre fell short of pace. He was at risk for some time until he put in a flying lap that brought him to P5. Max was still quicker though... by a lot. It wasn't unfamiliar that Max dominated at the Red Bull Ring. Y/n only hoped Pierre would have the race pace.

When Q2 ended Y/n took a quick look at the ones going through:

Max

Sergio

Carlos

Charles

Pierre

Lewis

George

Lando

Fernando

Esteban

When Q3 got underway Fernando lost his rear and brought the whole session to a stop. Y/n knew this wouldn't help Pierre's nerves, nor her own. He climbed out the car without removing his helmet as it wasn't a long red flag.

Y/n: How you doing?

Pierre: How do you think?

Y/n: I- sorry... be safe, good luck.

Pierre: Y/n wait- sorry... I'm just stressed.

Y/n: It's okay. I understand.

She gave him a small smile before she walked and sat back down deep in the garage. The session resumed but only with enough time for one out lap and one flying lap for each driver. Y/n took a deep breath as she saw the Chequers's flag and Pierre and Max on their flying laps together. The nerves got her to her feet holding her hands to her cheeks.

Crofty: It's purple sectors for Max in 1 and 2. Does he stick it through sector 3? DRS wide open now... HE TAKES PROVISIONAL POLE! Pierre is still out there. Coming round into turn 3 now, he takes fastest first sector from Max. It's looking beautiful for Pierre! He's going for the late breaking and curb... and- OH NO! Absolutely heartbreaking. He runs wide at turn 10! That will definitely be track limits. Pole slips away for the Frenchmen. He'll be starting next to Max on the front row-

Martin: No Crofty, look. He's dropped to P3. Carlos set a quicker time before his track limits.

Y/n: NO!!!! No... Poor Pierre...

Engineer: P3 mate. That's P3. Unlucky. We'll get them tomorrow.

Pierre: ****!!! NO!! I'M SO ***** STUPID FOR MAKING THAT MOVE! Sorry guys. (Sorry Y/n. He thought)

He parked his car and went to the interview first.

I: A shame Pierre. Would've been beautiful.

Pierre: Yeah.

I: Whats the plan for tomorrow? Gonna fight it off into turn 1?

Pierre: What else can you do? The team will discuss tonight. It was my mistake. Congrats to Max.

I: Thank you, good luck out there tomorrow. Carlos? The man in front row....

Pierre shook Max's hand without saying a word and walked off to the garage. Y/n saw him and went to him but he walked straight through the garage to the motorhome and into his driver's room.

Y/n followed and knocked on the door.

Pierre: Not right now!

Y/n: It's me.

Pierre: I said not now!

Y/n: Pierre pleas-

Pierre: Not now Y/n! Please!

Y/n: FINE!

She walked out of the motorhome quite upset with Pierre's reaction. She didn't know where to go so decided to find Max and congratulate him. Pierre felt he'd been harsh but wo as in no mood to chase after her. Maybe some time to breathe was best right now.

Y/n: Congrats Maxi V!

Max: Thanks. Pierre's alright?

Y/n: Who knows. He chased me away. More like yelled at me to leave him alone.

Max: I've been there... missing out an important pole position on the last corner... give him time. He'll be fine soon.

Y/n: He better. I can't stand seeing him like this. Anyway... you did great today.

Max: Thanks. I'll take it, with the teary eyes and all.

Y/n immediately wiped her eyes not realizing she had teared up a bit. Pierre had never spoken to her like that before and clearly it upset her. Max pulled her in to a hug but very quickly let go. Confused, she turned around and noticed Pierre heading this way.

Max: Go, don't even hesitate. He needs you.

Y/n: I will. Thanks Max.

She walked up to him and as she opened her mouth to speak Pierre wrapped his arms around her tightly.

Pierre: I'm so sorry ma Chérie. I never meant to be that harsh. I'm also sorry I let you down...

Y/n: It's okay, really. I get that you're pissed. I'd be too. And Pierre, you can NEVER let me down.

Pierre: Thanks. Can we just go the hotel and watch a movie?

Y/n: I'll order room service. Let's go.

She took his hand as by this time the paddock cleared out after quali and they went back to the hotel. Doing exactly as requested, Y/n put on a random movie to clear Pierre's mind and ordered food. Once they'd eaten, the movie they weren't even focused on ended and Pierre had fallen asleep.

Y/n barely whispering said: You're a brilliant driver love. You'll get them tomorrow. Just wait and see...

She kissed him softly which caused him to wrap an arm around her and she smiled against his chest softly before drifting off to sleep herself.