😅

Early the next morning everyone had arrived on track. Pierre was seemingly more optimistic and Y/n loved that for him. He did all his exercises and training before getting in the car to head to the grid. Y/n would've followed but preferred to steer clear of the mass crowds on the grid, pre-race. It wasn't a long wait before the grid had cleared and all that was left were the twenty cars lined up as a small beep sounded, indicating the first of five lights beginning to display.

Crofty: Okay, here we go. It's five lights out and we're racing again in Austria! ...

The race start was brilliant. Pierre pulled off extremely quickly and got the inside line into turn 1. He skipped past Max and Carlos. Y/n was beaming with excitement but was full of nerves. She knew it was early and that anything could happen but she couldn't believe he was actually in front after one move.

Engineer: Nice Pierre! Keep it up. Plan A. Plan A.

A one stop? How? Y/n thought.

Pierre kept his pace extremely well for pretty much the entire first half but Y/n felt her nerves rise when she heard the latest radio message:

Engineer: Box Box.

Pierre: Now?! Why?

Engineer: Box now. Tire change. Mediums on.

Pierre: Wha- Fine.

He came in and the pit crew's precision was perfect, expect the car was dropped before the one wheel was tightened fully. It was a long stop. Pierre came out the pit lane in 5th and there wasn't much longer to go. Y/n closed her eyes as he went wheel to wheel with Sainz at turn 10. When she opened them he was fourth and already making a move on Hamilton.

The gap to Charles in second seemed to keep increasing and his hope started falling as Y/n heard by his latest message:

Pierre: How much time loss if we changed to softs? Can we catch Leclerc?

Engineer: Negative. Looking at a P3 finish at best. P6 if you box now.

Y/n felt his disappointment from the garage and decided to do something. She asked if she could go on the radio without broadcasting it. When they denied and said it was all live she asked for the pit board and some extra blank cards. She quickly wrote on them, placed them correctly and hung it over the pit wall as she saw him approaching the main straight.

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Pierre POV

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I knew pitting that late and not putting softs would jeopardize my position but I didn't want to argue with the team when they called me in.

When I made it back up to third I couldn't catch Charles and was getting quite disappointed. Given our pace this weekend we really could've finished on top.

As my hope was going and the gap got bigger I noticed an unusual pit board message from Alpha Tauri.

montre leur ce que tu sais faire (Show them what you can do)

When I saw the person holding it I couldn't help but smile and push till the end. I had to get up top and I will. For her.

I managed to get the apex perfectly every single turn and closed the gap to Charles, with DRS' help I passed quite easily and Max was now only a few car lengths in front.

Engineer: Great driving Pierre. A few laps away from striking distance to Max. Keep pushing.

My heart was beating fast as the gap started closing but I noticed there was a mere 4 laps to go. I pushed the tires to the limits leaving no room for any error and when I put pressure on Max he locked up at the exit of turn 3.

Crofty: Pierre is really pressing Max now! CAN MAX DEFEND? NO HE CAN'T!!! HE LOCKS UP! Pierre saw the opportunity and said 'Thank you very much". PIERRE GASLY LEADS THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX! With only 2 laps to go Max is gaining! It's come down to this! It's going to be close!

All I thought during these laps was how Y/n must be stressing in the garage and how cute her nervous ramblings must be even though the team wouldn't think so. I told myself I can do it for her. She wants me to show everyone what I can do. I can win this. So let's show them.

Crofty: It's extremely close now! THEY'RE WHEEL TO WHEEL! Pierre gets the better exit! He's ahead but does he stay ahead?! HE DOES! Three laps of chasing! Two laps of wheel to wheel racing! And finally one turn left! He can see it now... the checkered flag... the Alpha Tauri garage will be breathing a sigh of relief that will turn into cheers because he crosses the line. PIERRE GASLY WINS THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX!!

Y/n screamed and jumped up in the garage. The whole team couldn't believe it.

Engineer: P1! P1!

Pierre: WOOOO! YES YES YES!!! Great job everyone!

Engineer: I don't know where you got that pace but it was beautiful!

I smiled knowing exactly where I got my pace to push.

I completed the cool down lap and parked in between Max's Red Bull and Charles' Ferrari. I immediately took off my helmet and ran to my team. Their congratulations meant so much as this was a team effort this weekend. The mechanics worked forever on the car.

As I stepped back from the team I scanned the crowd and saw Y/n making her way to me. She was running through the gaps and made it to the side. I ran up to her grabbing her waist and lifting her over the barrier. She held me tight and I could feel her happiness.

Winning was the best feeling but winning for her made it all the better. When I placed her down we stayed close. We knew the cameras were flashing but I looked in her eyes for approval and she pulled me down by my suit and kissed me.

This was it. No going back now. A million flashes went off.

She pulled away and cheered as she headed back to the team. I was beaming with excitement as I saw I'd have my two friends next to me on the podium. I snapped out of the daze as I got called for the interview.

Interviewer: Pierre! What a battle! What a race! What a WIN!

Pierre: Yeah it was incredible. I had so much fun battling everyone out there. I really felt I pushed the car today.

I: Your pace didn't look so good there at the end. I believe you were told P3 at best. What happened?

I looked over at Y/n who was smiling so brightly.

Pierre: I guess I just had the right motivation.

I: I see you say that looking over to the beautiful girl who clearly approved of the win. Safe to say you and Y/n Summers are dating?

Pierre: We are. We definitely are. As of last weekend.

I: Well congratulations on both the relationship and the win! Enjoy the podium!

Pierre: Thanks

I went to the cool down room with Charles and Max before heading to the podium. First Charles was called, then Max, then me. I ran out with a smile on my face and it was as if this pressure was lifted. I had won...

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End Pierre POV

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