the bucket list | charles leclerc

them

"Who is she?"

Lewis Hamilton stood with his arms folded across his chest. He was wearing sunglasses and the signature look of his AirPods was in his ears. He was standing with George, the McLaren boys, and Carlos, and they were all watching the same person. Elise. She was dancing, beautifully but awkwardly, with a bunch of kids who were gleefully looking up to her as though she were a god. The odd group of drivers standing in the paddock, who were waiting to be sent to various media requirements, were watching her in confusion. The practice day in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, would soon be under way, but the drivers all watched as Elise grabbed the hand of a small girl and twirled her in a delightful spin that had the girl smiling ear to ear. Music was playing from a nearby bar in the paddock, and Elise had managed to form a small group of dancers. The children's parents watched on fondly, some from seats in the bar, gratefulness etched on their faces for someone to be distracting the kids. Even if it was really their fault for bringing their children along.

The commotion of the dance troop had turned many heads and caught wandering eyes. Elise didn't care as her face was pulled into a wide smile as she danced. Carefree, happy and wild. Her brown hair was clipped back with a familiar metal butterfly, and the red Ferrari cap remained on her head. Her chosen outfit matched the twists and turns and freedom of her dancing. A white flowing skirt fell to her ankles, paired with a pale yellow cardigan stitched with large sunflowers.

"I've never seen her before." Lewis continued turning away from the dancing girl to the group of drivers. They all looked away, and George spoke before Carlos could inform Lewis of who she really was.

"So you just assume you know everyone in the paddock?" He teased and Lewis shook his head with a playful sigh.

"No, George, it's just she stands out; thought she might be someone important."

"Yeah, she doesn't seem to care that much." Oscar added, Carlos was finding himself struggling to but in.

"And she's wearing a Ferrari cap," Lewis mused in confusion.

"Number 16 too," George gasped. "Wait....Charles?" He questioned and all of the drivers turned to Carlos, who finally attempted to explain, but Lando beat him to it.

"Oh! She's Fred Vasseur's daughter. I met her yesterday. Confusing lady." Lando stated, and the three drivers looked at him in confusion.

"Vasseur has a daughter?" Lewis questioned. "I would have never known."

"Exactly what I thought when we found out," Carlos finally managed to say and another wave of shock hit the group.

"You didn't know?" George said in confusion, and Carlos nodded.

"We found out last week in Bahrain. She's travelling with us for the season." Carlos replied and the group murmured in confusion. They heard the music being turned up and a cheer ripple through the paddock, so they turned back to see that Elise's makeshift babysitting club had turned into a mini dance party.

"Wait." Oscar muttered, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"No way," Lewis said.

"Is that-" Lando couldn't finish his sentence before he was giggling uncontrollably.

Because there in the centre beside Elise, was Max, and he was dancing. The five drivers stood in momentarily stunned silence as they watched Max joyfully high-five a young boy who looked like he was going to faint. Elise was at his side laughing and continuously moving to the music.

"I didn't think Max had dance moves in him." George laughed in slight shock as the other drivers remained in their stunned silence. Apart from Lando, he couldn't stop giggling.