There was an air of formality that almost bordered on discomfort. You were still getting used to the idea that Lewis Hamilton, the man who had once been just a distant rival on the track, was now sitting beside you.

Carlos had left a void not only in the team but also in you. He had been your support, someone to share laughs with between races and to vent to after bad days. With Lewis... that trust didn’t exist. In the paddock, it had only ever been polite greetings, maybe a handshake or a brief exchange about strategy. But nothing more.

Lewis was there, sitting next to you, with his impeccable posture and his usual aura of confidence. He had spoken little during the meeting, but enough to make it clear that, despite being the new guy, he came with every intention of dominating. His presence was intimidating, even without saying much.

“I think we’ll work well as a team,” he said suddenly, turning his gaze toward you. His eyes searched for some sign of approval or, at least, willingness.

“Yeah, sure,” you replied, forcing a smile, though uncertainty was eating away at you inside. It wasn’t a lie that Lewis had undeniable talent, but being teammates was something you had never imagined. He had a reputation for being demanding and extremely competitive. Could you keep up with him without getting lost in his shadow?