Nico

Sunday in Bahrain was pure electricity. It was finally time for the opening race.

The Bahrain International Circuit had transformed into a living, breathing beast by the time the race approached.

The grandstands were packed to absolute capacity, a roaring sea of colour stretching into the distance under the blazing sun. There were many fans that came to support their favourite teams, but the noticeable ones were the Red Bull fans in deep blue waving massive flags and banners while screaming Alaric and Dami’s names.

Ferrari supporters in vibrant scarlet created waves of red that pulsed with every announcement over the PA system, while the Mercedes fans had loud horns blaring in anticipation of the race.

Tens of thousands of voices merged into one massive, unrelenting roar that shook the ground beneath my feet and made the air itself feel alive. Aside from the fans that had come to watch, there were also millions around the world tuned in to the return of the king of the grid, which was me, and the return of Alaric de Villier after two years.

The media presence was overwhelming this time. There were cameras in every inch of the grid and pit lane. Photographers crouched low for dramatic angles and lenses trained on every driver.

Helicopters hovered overhead, broadcasting live footage to global audiences.

Reporters darted between hospitality units with microphones ready, hungry for any hint of drama between the returning champion Alaric de Villier and the reigning king.

The air buzzed with the constant click of shutters and the murmur of live commentary because everyone wanted the story of our rivalry that was reigniting here today.

I stood on the grid next to my Red Bull, my helmet under my arm, knuckles still wrapped in fresh white bandages from yesterday’s outburst against Kelvin.

The pain was a dull throb now, but it kept me sharp.

My heart was already racing, adrenaline surging through my veins like liquid fire. This was the moment I lived for.

All I had wished for most of my life was to race with Alaric de Villier. I looked back for a moment searching for Alaric. He was in P6, a few grid slots behind me. I scanned the rows until I spotted the sleek black Ferrari with the number 16.

Alaric looked focused, exactly how he always looked during his race. Then I thought about the bet. If I won today, he would cook for me at his place. If I lost... well, I wasn’t planning on losing.

Whatever the results turned out to be, we were going to spend quality time together with no one to interrupt us.

The formation lap began after a moment and we peeled off the grid in order. The engines sang a high-pitched hybrid wail as we completed one slow, controlled lap around the circuit to warm the tyres and clear any debris.

I kept my eyes glued to the mirrors watching Alaric’s black car a few positions back. He was smooth through the corners, carrying good speed, but I could see the slight hesitation in his lines.

The two-year gap was still showing in tiny places only someone who had studied him for years would notice.

I heaved a deep sigh and shut my eyes then I slowly whispered his name. "Alaric, be good."

We finished the warm-up and the crowd’s roar grew louder as we passed the grandstands with the fans chanting names and waving flags.

The energy was intoxicating, feeding the fire already burning inside me.

We returned to our grid slots. The cars settled into position.

The mechanics ran back to the pit wall, leaving the grid eerily quiet for a few seconds. Then the five red lights came on above the start gantry.

One by one.

Red.

Red.

Red.

Red.

Red.

My hands tightened on the steering wheel. The engine note rose to a fever pitch behind me. Adrenaline flooded my body making every nerve feel alive.

My heart pounded so hard I could feel it in my throat. This was it. The start of the race between me and Alaric.

And then the lights went out.

I reacted instantly, releasing the clutch and flooring the throttle. The Red Bull surged forward with brutal acceleration, the hybrid system delivering instant torque that pinned me back into the seat.

I got a perfect start, pulling away cleanly into Turn 1. Kelvin tried to challenge me on the inside, but I defended hard, forcing him to back off.

Behind us, the field erupted into a storm of sound and motion as twenty cars fought for position through the first corner.

I could hear the crowd’s roar as we accelerated down the long straight.

I held the lead into the back straight, but I could already feel the pressure building. Kelvin was right on my tail, his Mercedes glued to my rear wing. Alaric was further back but gaining ground fast, carving through the field with that familiar aggression I both loved and hated.

The race was on but there could only be one winner.

The desert heat was merciless. By lap 8 my cockpit felt like an oven. Sweat poured down my back and stung my eyes inside the helmet.

The soft tyres were already starting to grain, forcing me to be precise with every corner.

I defended the lead lap after lap, but Kelvin kept trying everything — fake moves into Turn 4, late braking into Turn 8. But I held that position. There was no way he was going to overtake me.

Then I saw it on the timing screen. Alaric was flying. He had already passed three cars and was closing in on Kelvin for third. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

The black Ferrari looked planted and hungry through the high-speed sections. On lap 15 he made a bold move on one of the McLarens, diving down the inside at Turn 1 with perfect timing.

The crowd erupted.

That’s it, I thought. Alaric de Villier was back.

By lap 22, Alaric was all over Kelvin. They battled wheel-to-wheel through the flowing middle sector.

Kelvin tried to squeeze him, but Alaric held the outside line through Turn 6 and 7, carrying insane speed.

On the back straight he got the tow and dove down the inside at Turn 8. It was a clean and beautiful move and he took P3.

The Ferrari fans went absolutely wild, raising their flags and starting to chant Alaric’s name.

I smiled inside my helmet. Oh princess, you are truly a great driver.