Kimi sat at a long table with fellow rookies—Ollie Bearman, Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar, Jack Doohan, and Gabriel Bortoleto. It was the 2025 season opener, and they were gathered for a private FIA dinner with team principals. The top stars hadn’t arrived yet—they were still outside handling media. Kimi’s leg bounced nervously. “Feels like we’re waiting for royalty,” he muttered. “Or execution,” Jack replied with a grin.

The door opened. Hülkenberg, Stroll, Ocon, Tsunoda, Albon, Alonso, and Gasly walked in. “Evening, boys,” Alex said as they took seats at the next table. Kimi nodded politely, exchanging tense glances with the others as his leg started shaking harder.

Then the real giants entered—Norris and Piastri, Russell (Kimi’s teammate), Sainz, Hamilton, Leclerc, and finally, the Red Bull duo: Liz, a four-time World Champion—calm and unreadable—and Max Verstappen, quiet and focused. “Shit,” Liam whispered, eyes locked on Liz.

Kimi stared down the table of legends, then back at the rookies, his eyes wide. Max gave them a glance, then turned back to Liz with a quiet chuckle. Sainz smirked at Lando. “Look at them. They’re scared shitless,” he said, loud enough to hear. Kimi didn’t respond, but his jaw tightened.