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Barcelona, Spain.

Carlos had just wrapped up his Wimbledon campaign, successfully defending his title in a 5 set thriller against Andrey Rublev. He now has some time to relax a bit before the next swing starts which is why he's back in Spain. 

Now that he's home, his team does still try to squeeze in some schedules to make the sponsors happy. a magazine cover here, an interview there, and well, a special appearance to the paddock of the Spanish Grand Prix for the qualifying. 

To do what? to hand over the pole position award.

Now, everyone knows about Formula 1, especially if you're European, more so if you're an internationally-known athlete yourself. The world that these people exist in, is just too small for them not to know each other. Or at least, heard of each other.

Carlos smiles at the camera before settling in the FIA hospitality where he's to watch the qualifying happen.

"Hi Carlos! Congratulations on the Wimbledon win!" 

The F1 social media account manager said as the phone's camera waves in front of Carlos' face. 

"Thank you! It's great to be here." He said. 

"Have you been following the season?" The social media manager asks, making Carlos shake his head. 

"I try to watch the races when I can," he grins, "It overlaps with our schedules sometimes, so just through Instagram ah, I see the updates."

"One last question, Carlos. Who do you think is getting pole today?"

He laughs, "I don't know." he looks at the screen showing all cars lined up at the pit exit, "It's very unpredictable."

"Thanks Carlos, enjoy the quali!" 

—

Carlos watches as the cars set out to do their laps for qualifying. Listening to commentary to follow the session as he does not understand everything yet. It's helpful, he learns that there is a certain track that carries more weight than the others. A chicane that the drivers should be careful when passing by. The colors of the sector times.

The commentators speak of the four teams who have the edge in this track. Something with their car working best in the Barcelona condition. Someone sets the fastest time in sector 1, another answers with an even faster time—the cycle continues as the clock ticks, eliminating cars each quarter. One of them stood out though.

"Jannik Sinner just set purple on all sectors."

"The Mercedes looks very strong all weekend, Bernie. They're certainly competing for pole position."

Jannik Sinner. Of course. The sports world knows him. The clock starts again. Drivers trying to improve their time, cars avoiding the walls. It was chaotic, at some point, a yellow flag was seen on screen as one red car touches the barrier.

Carlos exhales when the driver is heard saying he's okay on the radio. Sports are scary, even athletes themselves know that despite being in different sports.

Carlos always has to be careful when he's playing. No matter how much training he has gone through, you'll never know what could happen.

Q2 ends with the cars scrambling to reach the Q3, desperately clawing their way through the last position just above the cut off.

The track is unforgiving especially with overtaking. The performance doesn't only depend on the car but also on the driver.

"Sinner is still alive in this session, JB. And he's not changing the sectors' colors." The commentator said.

Carlos understands this like tennis.

Still in holding serve. Still covering the court.

"Time keeps on improving." Another voice added, "The reigning world champion does love this track."

"This is where we find out if Sinner keeps his pole streak."

He watches the onboard, the timing tower beside it. The sectors beneath.

Still constructing. Unmistakably purple.

The car enters the final corner.

Carlos should not be nervous. He doesn't even know the driver behind the wheel nor does he consider Mercedes the team he's rooting for this season.

He doesn't even know what the championship standings look like. The commentators only said that Jannik Sinner is the reigning champion so he must be the favorite to win in everything.

"SINNER HAS DONE IT AGAIN!! POLE IN SPAIN!"

Carlos was pulled from his thoughts when the broadcast erupted, before he could look at the screen, an official was already speaking. "The top 3 will all stop at the designated spot in front of the boards." The official said, "But you'll be handing over the award to Jannik Sinner."

Carlos nodded as he turns to the screen. The FIA official, who was talking earlier had excused herself, telling Carlos that she'll be back once it's time for the little awarding.

Right on the screen, Sinner is removing his balaclava. Hair damp, eyes still focused on untangling whatever is in his way.

Carlos keeps his eyes on the screen as Sinner clasps his watch and wears his hat, a fox logo embroidered on it — a small piece of identity that makes the man somewhat endearing in the tennis player's eyes.

God if he isn't the most beautiful person Carlos has ever seen.

—

Carlos straightens his jacket as the FIA official ushers him to the "podium" — it's the interview area where the top 3 qualifiers will be interviewed, however for now it's going to be where Carlos will give Sinner the pole position award, pose for the cameras, and hopefully not make a fool of himself in the process.

He steps in as the camera shutters clicks. Sinner walks in, still in his race suit, looking all glorious with his curls tuck in his white cap.

They share a greeting, shake hands, Jannik signs the award (it's a tire.), and they take photos which will probably end up all over the internet.

When the picture taking is over, Jannik is first to speak.

"Congratulations on Wimbledon. I saw the clips." The driver smiles, "Can't watch the whole match because you know.." he adds, signaling to the surroundings — F1.

Carlos nodded. The day of the Wimbledon finals was also the race day for the British Grand Prix or Silverstone as they call it.

He remembers seeing a graphic about the sporting events being held on the same date. It's pretty normal, just like how Roland Garros coincided with Monaco Grand Prix.

"Congratulations on winning the race."

Carlos blinks realizing his own mouth betrayed him.

"I mean, uh the one in UK." he clarifies, "you won, right? I saw on instagram..."

Jannik smiles, so soft that Carlos might just want to curl into a ball.

"Thank you, Carlos.. Yes, I won Silverstone.."

"See! I know F1." Carlos narrowed his eyes, "Very fast cars, very expensive pieces."

Jannik looks amused. As if the cameras disappeared and they were just in their own bubble talking about Silverstone and Wimbledon.

"Come to a race weekend when you have the time." Jannik smoothly said, "Start with Thursday so you can get the whole experience." he added.

"Is that an invitation?" Carlos raised his eyebrow.

Sinner just laughed before smiling at him.