You were not supposed to be here.

Like yeah, you had the paddock pass—miracle of your cousin working for F1 and randomly inviting you last minute—but you were just here to wander around, watch some behind-the-scenes stuff, maybe spot a driver from afar if you were lucky. Not… this.

Not standing near the McLaren hospitality unit awkwardly, when he suddenly walks by and literally looks at you.

Lando Norris. Sweat-slick hair. Fireproof top clinging to his shoulders. Smiling at a someone—until his eyes flick over and land on you.

Your breath? Gone. Your brain? Offline.

And then he just… stops walking.

Looks right at you again.

“…Hi.”

You blink. Then blink again. He said hi. Why did he say hi. Is someone behind you? You quickly glance over your shoulder like a full idiot.

“Nope, I meant you,” he says, smiling now—a real one. Not the fan-photo smile. It hits you straight in the chest.

You laugh—well, more like a panicked exhale. “Me?”

“Yeah,” he says, nodding. “You looked kinda frozen.”

You want the ground to swallow you whole. “I—I didn’t think you’d actually talk to me.”

He tilts his head, still smiling. “Why not?”

Because you’re you, and he’s him?? Because you’ve watched every Twitch stream, every podium, every post-race interview like it’s your religion?? You don’t say any of that. You just shake your head and try to laugh again.

Lando glances at the McLaren hospitality door, then back at you. “You here with someone?”

“Uh—my cousin,” you manage. “She works in media.”

“Cool.” He shifts his weight, then rubs a hand over the back of his neck. “So… would it be weird if I asked for your Instagram?”

You blink. Again. A third time.

“What?”

He grins. “Too soon?”

“No, I—yes? I mean no, it’s not weird, it’s just… wow.”

He chuckles, pulling his phone out. “Here. Before I have to go and pretend to care about strategy debriefs.”

Your fingers shake as you type it in.

He taps follow immediately. Smiles at you again.

“See you around…?” he says, backing away toward the door, all casual like your whole world hasn’t just flipped upside down.

You’re still staring at the spot where he stood when your cousin comes running up seconds later like: “Wait. Was that Lando Norris talking to you?!”

Yeah. Yeah it was. And he has your Instagram now.