"Monza here we are" Alexis mumbles when she reached the paddock

It was Wednesday so everyone was arriving, there was more and more agitation around the paddock, many photographs were already there. Alexis saw Kym Illiman who took a pic of her, some guys from Sky sport and Will Buxton was there as well. When Alexis crossed the paddock she saw Lewis Hamilton, he was always wearing crazy clothes but if was fun to see him, he was a kind of a fashion icon. Alexis saw George and Alex, she waved at them and they waved back, when she was in front of the Alpha Tauri pit box Pierre was there too. He winked at her, and Alexis Waved at him. This was the life she was keeping dreaming about, her dreams were coming true and she loved that feeling.

Alexis had a meeting in the afternoon, with the drivers, Mattia, Giulia, Alessandro some strategists and some engineers. But before she had some free time, she decided to facetime her parents so they would be able to see what was going on around the paddock. In a way she was happy to talk to them, the long-distance relationship she had with them was better than being face to face. It's not what she dreamed, but she knew it was the healthiest way to keep in touch. Her dad was as her a huge fan of F1 and was proud that her little girl was working in this industry.

Alexis lunched with Mia, it was been a while since the two girls didn't catch up but they had different schedules. They really enjoyed their lunch but Alexis had to left for the meeting, she needed to be in time to talk about the new rear wing.

When Alexis arrived in the meeting room, some people were already there waiting for the drivers and Mattia. Once everyone was in the room the meeting started, first they talked about the track conditions for the weekend. Then about the different scenarios possible for the weekend, last but not least came the turn of the changes such as the rear wing.

"So as you know, we have change the rear wing. Less air resistance, so more speed for Monza. The results so far show that we will be faster than last year, not just compare too Ferrari but also to Mercedes. Our car is strong and we can look for a win here at Monza, so now the destiny is in your hand boys. I would like to address a special thank you to Alexis who made an amazing job, basically it's here rear wing so with the team we had decide to call it the ALG2021!" Giulia looks at Alexis, everyone was applauding. Alexis shyly smiled

"Thank you, this is a team effort so there is also all the design department. Nothing couldn't happen without them." Alexis said

The meeting ended, everyone was leaving but Mattia called Alexis

"Alexis, can we talk for a minute?" Mattia asked

"Sure"

"Please take a seat" Mattia pointed a seat in front of him "Giulia told me about your placement year for next year, she also said that you impress her every day with your energy, your focus, your hard work, and dedication. To be honest you are one of the best intern we never have, I was really happy when Jean call me but since it was Jean I had no other choice. But you prove me and all the staff that we were wrong, so I would like you to work for us next year for your placement year." Alexis couldn't contain her huge smile

"I would be honour to continue with you."

"Also what are your plans after your bachelor?"

"I would like to attend a master at Cranfield University in Motorsport, since it's the best in the UK."

"And then?"

"Then I would like to work for a F1 team, as a chief designer being responsible of the design department."

"Interesting, basically you would like to take Giulia's place?"

"Exactly!"

"At Ferrari or for another team?"

"Well, I know that it's hard to get in the F1 industry so I don't have a preference for now. But I will thing about it when I will get more experience."

"Be honest, before getting here who were you supporting each weekend?" Alexis started smiling "Be honest please! It won't change my state of mind."

"As a team or driver?"

"Both!"

"As a driver I would say Lewis, Lando, George, Pierre, Daniel and Charles. As a team, McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari."

"Thank you for being honest with me, you know I look carefully to other drivers as well"

"But it's for professional purposes."

"Not necessary, I really like George as well and even if I'm quite sure he will never be a Ferrari driver I'm always happy to see his result."

"In the good car he can shine."

"Look at Sakhir, if Mercedes didn't mess up at the pit stop he would have been a race winner."

"I cried that day, I mean really. He deserved this win."

"You will laugh but I was sad as well, this kid deserved way much better that a seat at Williams."

Mattia and Alexis started talking about random subjects, it was fun to see this. Since at the beginning Mattia was cold with her and now they are close to share their best recipes. After a long chat Mattia came back on the main topic.

"I will see you next week to arrange your contract, also I will send you some tickets for Silverstone 2022. Easier that France I guess?"

"Thank you but you don't have to!"

"Yes, you did an amazing job for us, 2 are enough?"

"More than enough!" Mattia stood up

"Well, enjoyed your evening, Alexis!" He smiled at her and they both left the room.

Alexis couldn't believe what happen, she got a job for a placement year at Ferrari, some tickets for Silverstone 2022. She was dreaming, it was the best thing that could happen to her. Wait, no. When she walked through the paddock to get to her hotel, she saw Lando speaking with some McLaren staffs. When he saw her, he winked at her and she smiled back. This was the actual best thing that happen to Alexis today.

Tuesday was media day, nothing much to do for Alexis she had some meeting with the design department but since they had a three week break before she knew all she had to know. It was quite a rest day, before diner she decided to go to the gym. When she arrived some McLaren members were there already.

"Alexis, right?" One of them asked, Alexis didn't recognize him at the first time but then realize it was Brent, the designer from McLaren

"It is! Brent?" Alexis asked with a smile

"I'm sure you don't forget my name since you want to work with us!" Brent said with a smile

"Why do you think so?" Alexis asked

"Someone told me." Brent winked at her "You should apply for a job!"

"Sorry but I have one already, same for next year."

"Too bad" Brent left the gym

Alexis was thinking of whom could have told him that she wanted to work for them, then one name came to her mind : Lando! Alexis finish her gym session and reached the elevator to join her room. When the doors opened there were some more McLaren members ready to hit the gym, one of them caught Alexis' attention. Brown wavy hair, greenish eyes huge smile, it was no one else than Lando, he was the last to leave the elevator shaft.

"Bad timing!" Lando said stopping in front of Alexis

"Indeed! How was your day?" Alexis said with a smile, fortunately she was red after her cardio session so Lando couldn't see her cheeks getting red.

"Pretty good! You?" Lando was smiling as well

"Not so bad." Alexis replied

"Any plans for tonight?" Lando asked a bit uncertain

"Not yet!"

"Wanna have an ice-cream? Want to try cotton candy this time." Lando and Alexis were staring at each other

"Sure" Alexis softly said

"Lando move your dump ass please!!!" Someone shout from the gym

"I have to go, but in the lobby at 9 pm!"

"Sounds good to me!" the two were still starring at each other

"Landoooo!" his coach shouted

"See you later!" he softly said, turned over and get in the gym

Alexis reached her room, took a shower end get dress for diner.When she finished her diner, it was 8:30 so she had some time before meeting Lando for their ice cream trip. She putted a black hoodie on a bit oversize, she took her purse with her wallet on, putted some gloss and was ready to join Lando. It was 8:50 when she arrived in the lobby, she sat on a sofa to wait for Lando. She was checking at her phone when some one pulled her hood on.

"Let's go, I'm hungry!" Alexis turned over and so Lando's face, he was wearing a quadrant hoodie and some black jeans. Alexis stood up, and pulled her hood off. "It gave you some gangsta vibes!" Lando chuckled, Alexis rolled her eyes

"We should leave before you say more nonsense!" Alexis gasped, Lando opened the door por her "Do you even know where we can find an ice-cream shop?"

"No" Lando said watching the horizon

"Really!" Alexis said a bit upset

"Calm down, no one is stress her. We will walk throught the city and find one." Lando looked at Alexis

"Fine, but I want my ice cream!" Alexis said

"Don't worry for that!" Lando smiled at Alexis and putted his arm around her shoulders "Enjoy the moment!" Lando's arm around her shoulders brought some warm to Alexis, and she loved this feeling. Lando broke a silence "How do you feel?"

"About what?" Alexis looked at Lando, her eyes found his

"That is quite the end of your internship." He was staring at her

"Pretty sad, but happy to know that I will be their next year with Ferrari." Alexis softly said smiling

"You get a job?" lando was smiling as well

"Yes, for my placement year!"

"Nice! I will see you again!" Lando's smile was hugger

"Indeed, but you will have to wait 9 months."

"I can wait, plus you are in Nottingham, right?" Alexis nodded "Yes, so it's not that far from Woking!" Alexis laughed, was he really thinking of seeing her? Maybe.

Alexis and Lando arrived in front of an ice-cream shop.

"You see, I told you. You need to be more patient!" Lando said proudly

"Looks more like you are lucky." Alexis rolled her eyes

"With you always." He softly said, hopefully Lando was looking at all the flavours so he didn't see Alexis blushing.

After few minutes it was their turn to order.

"Hi, an ice-cream cotton candy yogurt and..." Lando looked at Alexis

"The same!" She said with a smile

"So, two ice-cream cotton candy yogurt, please!" Alexis opened her purse to take out her wallet "There is no way you pay for it." Lando said

"You paid last time, now it's for me!" Alexis handed a bill to the ice-cream man, but Lando was faster and took him. "Lando!" Alexis was furious

"I told you it's for me so now putt this bill away." Lando give her back her bill, and gave his credit card.

"Thank you Lando. But I swear next is for me!"

"Alright! If that makes you happy!" Lando looked at her with a soft smile

"Yes, this makes me happy!" Lando started laughing, they took their ice-cream and left the shop. Lando putted his arm back around Alexis' shoulder

"You know this is the best ice-cream combo!" Lando said with surprise, Alexis started looking at him 

"Told you, you should trust me more!" Alexis said with a proud smile on her face, the two were staring each other.

They finished their ice-cream and then got back to the hotel, once they got in the lobby, they waited for the elevator to arrive. Alexis and Lando were staring at each other, they both appreciated each other companies. Once the doors opened, Lando tousled Alexis' hair before getting in.

"Yeah!" Lando started laughing "This is not funny!" as a revenge Alexis did the same, they both started laughing. The elevator's doors opened but it wasn't their floor, they saw Ricciardo standing in front of them.

"Ouh! You seem busy. I will take the next one." Daniel winked at Lando and Alexis could read on his lips 'GG'. Daniel was such a kind guy with a huge heart and a huge smile as well.

"Do you think..." Lando interrupted Alexis

"I will talk to him tomorrow." Lando said placing a strand of Alexis' hair behind her ear. Alexis nodded, Lando was staying at the fifth floor and Alexis at the sixth one. When the elevator reached Lando's floor, the british looked at Alexis one last time and stepped out.

"Lando!" Alexis said before the doors got closed "This night was moonish!" The boy started smiling and the elevator's doors closed.

Friday was practices day, Alexis was exited since they will tested 'her' rear wing in real conditions for the first time. While taking her breakfast with the team she was still thinking of her night out with Lando.

"Earth to Alexis!" Alessandro said

"Sorry what?" Alexis blushed

"What are you thinking about?"

"The rear wing!" Alessandro didn't look convince but took her answer.

"FP1 start in 20 minutes you should be at the pit box." Alessandro added

"You are right! See you soon!" Alexis smiled and left the table

While getting to the paddock, Alexis saw Daniel.

"Take care of my boy please!" Daniel said when Alexis passed next to him, and winked at her. Alexis smiled and shook her head. Daniel was a funny guy no lie, but there was nothing between her and Lando, yet. 

Practices went well, during FP1 Charles was P1 and Carlos P2, then for FP2 Charles was P1 again and Carlos P3. All the eyes were looking at the red cars, they were impressive so far. 

The next day Charles was P2 in FP3 and Carlos P4, they were hoping for a pole. Before the qualifications got started, everyone was preparing the cars to get the best results.

"Giulia? I had an idea for the rear wing, maybe we could change a little bit the angle of inclination. I did some calculations and we could win about 0,1 s."

"Show me that!" Giulia quickly looked at the analyses "Are you sure?" Giulia looked at Alexis' eyes

"I'm not 100% sure but..." Giulia interrupted Alexis

"Yes or no!"

"Yes" Alexis firmly said

"Ok give this to the engineers. Qualifications are starting in 4 minutes you need to hurry!" Alexis nodded, and gave the engineer the sheet. First he looked at Giulia who nodded in approbation, then started changing it on both cars. He finished just in time, quali are now starting in less than 1 minute.

"Ok Charles we changed the rear wing a bit, you should be faster."

"Copy"

"Carlos, the rear wing is a bit different than during the FP, should be better."

"Ok, it was already great but Ok."

"You might be even faster."

"Ok"

Both the race engineer informed the pilots of the rear wing changes, Alexis was nervous she hoped it wasn't a mistake.

"The Ferraris are flying today, look like something change. Did they steal some engineers? I guess we will never know. Charles Leclerc is currently P2 and Carlos need to finish his flying lap, and it's P3 for the Spaniard. This is impressive! They will easily reach Q3!

Now there is only 10 cars still in competition for pole, there is less traffic on the track. Charles Leclerc start his last flying lap, purple sector one, purple sector 3, 1'17''951 this is the fastest ever time here at Monza. Hamilton is finishing his flying lap as well he is purple sector 2, but his final lap time is 1'18''998. Tomorrow Charles Leclerc will start on pole! His team mate will start on the second row in P3"

Giulia took Alexis on her arm

"This is your work!" Alexis smiled, this time she knew it, it was her work and not just the talent of the drivers.

Charles reached some journalists for the post qualifications interview.

"Charles you were flying at Monaco now you set the fastest lap here at Monza beating Lewis previous record! I want to ask what is your secret?"

"You know there is no magic button, or anything. Alle the engineers are working hard in order to provide us the best car."

"Talking about engineers, do you have some new engineers, who could be from some others team?" Charles smiled

"No, we never stole anyone, just some hard work and genius people."

"Alright, thank you Charles."

"Thank you!" Charles left the interview.

Once he reached the pit box, smiled and waved at everyone.

"Is Alexis here?" He asked

"Yes, I'm over here!" Alexis said, she was working on the qualifications data

"A huge thank you to you, since this is your pole." Charles hugged her

"It's my job!" Alexis replied

That evening Alexis called her friend Sophie, they told her about her 'date' with Lando, her day and about the fact that one of the Ferrari pieces had her name.

"Girl this is amazing! I'm so happy for you, you deserved it!" Sophie said with enthusiasm

"Yeah! This is quite amazing, like my work is paying now!"

"No pain no gain!" Both Sophie and Alexis started laughing "How was it with Lando?"

"Like Monaco, it was like we knew each other for years. It's so natural between us, like I will really miss him over the year."

"Someone is in love!"

"Shut up!"

"Well, I bet you will end up with him!"

"You wish!"

"No, actually you wish that and I know it!" Alexis smiled, she wasn't wrong in a way "You need your beauty sleep, so night blondi!"

"Night Soph!"

It was now the final run of the weekend, the race! Everyone was getting ready in the paddock. Last adjustments, last controls, all the cars were ready for the red lights to turn off.

"And it's lights out and away we go! What a start for Leclerc but Hamilton still close to the Ferrari driver, and there is a contact. The Mercedes of Hamilton in now on the wall, Charles' car seems to be fine."

"Is there any damage?" Charles asked

"No, keep focussing!"

"The Ferraris are now 1 and 2, Bottas get pass by Verstappen. Is the Mercedes driver will be here next year? Or Russel will replace him? This is something we will soon know since we are back from the summer break. Leclerc is flying here at Monza, Sainz just being him only 2 s separate the two Ferrari drivers. And it's Räikkönen who it the barrier, yellow flag and safety car! It's lap 25, 28 laps to go! Bottas is now P7, a weekend to forget for him so far since Russell is P12.

And it's the end of the safety car, it's now lap 28. Great restart for Leclerc, Sainz second, Verstappen third. Verstappen is the first from the leader group to stop, then it is Sainz turn. Leclerc waited one more lap before pitting. But when he left the pit lane, he was behind Verstappen who passed Sainz"

"Come on, how can we be behind him. Where is Carlos?" Charles asked

"Carlos is currently P3, P3. Don't worry you should pass him in two laps. Keep pushing, keep pushing"

"it's now lap 40, Leclerc and Verstappen are battling for P1, but here comes Charles Leclerc, he passed Max. The Ferrari looked really speed, it's a redemption from last year. 10 laps to go and Leclerc is still P1. 5 laps to go. Last lap. He won at Monza, he won at Spa, he won at Monaco, and he win at Monza again! Charles Leclerc is the winner of the 2021 Italian Grand prix!"

Once again, and for the second race weekend in arow, all the Ferrari team was jumping in the paddock. Ferrari was closing the gap with RedBull, with Charles' win and Carlos P3. What a strong weekend for them!

The podium time was emotional, full of tifosi. When Charles raised the trophy, Alexis was proud she helped him won, this is her win as well.

Charles had some interviews and started with sky spot:

"Charles well done, how do you feel now?"

"More than happy, my start was great but with the collision with Lewis I was afraid for my car but everything was ok. Then everything was pretty great, except the pit stop but then I easily passed Max."

"How can you explain that you easily pass Max?"

"Once again great work from all the team, especially the designers who did a great job for the rear wing."

"Let's talk about this rear wing, it seems that is a new one, right?"

"Yes, we started the change at Monaco, and during the summer break they redesign an entire one."

"Then well-done Charles on your win, I hope you will have great result in Netherland as well!"

"Thank you!"

The next morning Alexis flew back with her team, and reached her apartment. She had a rest day before starting her last week at the Factory, she would have a meeting with Mattia tomorrow for her placement year. Now it was time to unpack her stuff and sleep. Once she putted her pjs on, she checked her phone, she had received the photos from the Weekend. She selected one to post :

@Alexis_lg

Monza, Italy

Tag : @giuliarizzo , @scuderiaferrari

Liked by @charlesleclerc, @carlossainz55 and 29,631 others

ALG2021 right?

@sophierb : this smile 🤤

@charlesleclerc : this is also your win🏆

@alessandro_mancini : truly deserved 💪

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