here to have fun

For example if Caco had gotten married now vs in 2022, I don't get the feeling we're seeing Charles at the wedding the way we did with Lando. It still seems rare to see Carlos and Charles together outside of race weekends and shared sponsorship situations.

Part (most) of me wants to say, "you're so right, bestie," and leave it at that.

I think so much of Carlos and Lando's friendship and time as teammates was like catching lightning in a bottle. They had a bit of an age gap, not so much that they didn't have things in common, but Carlos definitely took Lando under his wing. I think both of their teams became closer in 2020 as well, because they couldn't really go out and socialize outside of each other during race weekends. That's why I think Lando (and a few other McLaren people, if I'm not mistaken) got invited to Caco's wedding. Carlos's position at McLaren was also very different than his position at Ferrari, and I doubt his family/team ever felt as welcome there as they did at McLaren.

Carlos's family so obviously loves Lando to the point that it seems like Carlos Sr sees him as a second son. Like I can imagine Lando going out to the Sainz family ranch and asking if he could take the rally car out, and Carlos Sr would be beside himself with excitement. And ofc Reyes adores him and Carlos's friendship. I wouldn't be surprised if she sees Lando as the little brother that Carlos never had, which is probably something that makes her really happy to see. He brings out such a fun and happy side of Carlos, and Carlos does the same for him.

There have been a few small moments in the paddock with Sr and Charles (not hugging and pinching his cheek types of moments), but ofc we have all the shady posts that Reyes has liked on social media about Charles lol. It makes sense that they wouldn't be as close because the teammate relationship was very different. Charles also has spoken very differently of/toward Carlos during and immediately after a race. Even if Carlos can forgive it, because he can related to how he feels in those moments, those of us who haven't had similar experiences can't. And I think that's where a lot of Carlos's family lies (especially his mother). They have likely also been targets of particularly enthusiastic lecfosi--I believe Teto has, at the very least. And he counts here too lol.

I don't think that a friend's integration/acceptance into a family is necessarily an indicator of how close the friendship is, especially this far into adulthood when people live in different countries, but I think it's a different kind of friendship when someone knows your whole family. That gives it some real depth and staying power.

🌍🏆