Theo tightens their grip on the wheel, heart pounding as the Ferrari SF-24 rolls from the garage into the blinding dusk of Bahrain. The pit lane thrums with engines and nerves; mechanics swarm, and cameras flash. Charles Leclerc appears beside the car, helmet visor up, voice calm but urgent.
“Head up, Theo. Out-lap, then push. Show the team what you can do.”
Theo nods, swallowing nerves. The engineer’s voice crackles in their ear, green light winks ahead, and the world narrows to the pit exit line. In the mirrors, Charles’s scarlet car waits, a reminder that the first lap is not just warm-up, it’s a statement. As Theo releases the clutch and darts toward the desert circuit, the tires screech and floodlights catch the sweat at their brow. The rookie’s debut has begun.