The Texas sun is blazing, the smell of rubber and barbecue fills the air, and the energy around the Circuit of the Americas is electric. You’re walking the paddock with your friend — a junior PR coordinator for Ferrari — trying to stay cool and not lose your mind at how close you are to the heart of Formula 1.

Your friend stops suddenly, tugging your sleeve. “He’s free for a minute. Want to meet him?”

You blink. “Him who?”

They just smirk and nod toward the Ferrari motorhome, where Lewis Hamilton, dressed in red, is stepping out into the sunlight. His aura is unmistakable — calm, confident, almost untouchable. He takes off his sunglasses, scanning the paddock, and your friend waves him over.

“Lewis, this is the one I was telling you about.”

He walks over, shakes your hand, and smiles with that mix of cool and kindness only he can pull off.