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They have come with an idea and they know that will make a lot of noise in the press and on social media as well but they really want to have the right to fight the things that need to be fought for.
And like that at the first race of 2023, Charles and Carlos were the first one to put the action on. They choose to start the season to support the lgbt community.
So they program that at every race two drivers will kiss each other to show support. But they didn’t predict everything.
Charles and Carlos were the first to do it and like it was thought by them that make a lot of talk in the press, and more after in the interview.
« We have a question here for Carlos and Charles. We saw that both of you kissed before the race. Can we have an explanation about that to make everything clear ? »
Carlos was the first one to talk : « Yes sure you saw correctly we decided after we saw that the FIA weren’t allowed us to support some subjects to saw support differently. »
Charles continued « They can’t punish us for kissing each other, since it’s none of their business and it’s just between me, Carlos and the team, which obviously support our idea. »
« Okay thank you so much for the explanation, so nothing is really going on between you too? »
Carlos and Charles both answered at the same time « No, there is nothing here » and then just laughed together.
For the Arabia Saudita race they chose Esteban and Pierre to do it which makes sense since Alpine also wanted to show people that there was nothing wrong between them.
So when before the race Esteban and Pierre kissed each other that made everyone go crazy on the social media but more into the press.
The other drivers were for now enjoying it while they were seeing their plan work. And Pierre and Esteban needed to answer some questions in the post race interview like Charles and Carlos before them.
They clearly made the point of supporting the lgbt community and at the same time they also said that nothing was wrong between them and that they enjoyed working together and finding each other's friendship back.
Then came the Australian race and the presence of Daniel in that race was a shock for nobody but the shocking part was seeing Fernando and Daniel kiss. Since everybody knows that Fernando is not really one of those who speak out for something, but apparently he was really convincing on this one.
He literally just says in his interview « I only did it for the good cause, and to show support and because people need to be more open. Just want to be here as a supportive friend » he stopped here and he just lets that ending up here which made the press more crazy about all of it. They were now asking themselves if there is nothing more behind that.
The Azerbaijan race was the next one and now the only question which everyone was thinking of was which drivers will kiss today or next race. At this race it ends up being Max and Lance, which also was a surprise since we know Max is not really speaking out either.
He said later in his interview « You know sometime you just need to learn something that open you up to the world and when you know that you just can’t stay here doing nothing to support someone who need it » and at that moment the press knew that something bigger was coming beside the support the drivers were showing to the lgbt community there was definitely something more for Max and Fernando to be part of.
At the Miami race it was two new drivers going out for it Logan and Nick but they ended up not answering any questions about it, team order’s. But for now the press knew all about the support and what the drivers put in place so there is no more new question.
For the Imola race Alex and George were the one chosen. And that was not a surprise anymore for the press but the interview was.
« You know a some point when you had last year someone who was never afraid to speak up and told us to do so and then suddenly we can’t of course we are going to fight for it. We can’t just let Seb’s legacy go like that, we can do better and we will. »
That interview from George was shocking for everyone in the press room. Why mention Seb's name like that? That was the main question now, what all of this has to do with Seb ?
For the Monaco race Lando and Oscar the new strong teammates were the one kissing each other and only Lando did an interview after that supporting exactly what George said a week before. « I’m just going to say that George has said most of it you know we need to fight for what we believe is the best and that fight meant so much for s’en we needed to do it for him. He told and taught us a lot. »
The Spain race was Yuki and Zhou turns. They made a lot of fun about it. They didn’t do any interviews after the race, because their team chose not to. But the press didn’t really have any questions for them.
The Canadian race was a surprise also to see Sergio and Valtteri going and supporting it as well because they normally don’t. But they had the same interview reaction as Fernando and Max which were surprising.
At that moment Lewis was also doing his interview.
« We have a question for you Lewis, we saw a lot of the other drivers showing support for a cause that some of them wouldn’t have speak up for. But that is a cause close to your heart and still you didn’t do anything yet ? Do you have anything ready? »
« Man I just enjoyed the reaction and the support all of them are given for now but yes obviously I have something ready to show my support as well I guess you need to wait a few race again before seeing it. »
Today is the Austrian race and we saw Kevin and Nico in a good place and had a big discussion for a long moment before going into the track. And apparently they are the last drivers who didn’t kiss with Lewis but we know for Lewis we have to wait a little bit longer apparently. Kevin and Nico should be the chosen one for today, the press announce it a few minutes before they kiss.
And now all the eyes were turned on Lewis and the next race which is his race home. The press thinks he will do something big for it.
I think the press and the social media talk for all of us when they say we are quite surprised to see Sebastian Vettel in the paddock today. The first time ever came back after he retired from F1. So the question that everyone is asking is : Why is he here ?
And the biggest shock was at the moment everyone realized that it was Lewis' day to show support and when Seb was making the move to get to Lewis everyone stopped talking or moving. And when he kissed Lewis and all of the other drivers started to applaud the press knew something big happened there but they needed to wait for the race to end to ask questions.
When the race ended with Lewis win’s, and we saw once again Seb kissing him, I don’t think anyone could have thought it was just for support anymore. So at the race post interview the press had a question to Lewis.
« Ok first of all congratulation for the win here Lewis »
« Yes thank you. Just come up with the real question you all want to ask already. »
« So we saw a the beginning of the race, that Sebastian was there for the first time since he retired, and he kissed you, was it like the other drivers to show your support ? »
« Yes honestly it’s always a pleasure to have Seb around you know, plus obviously when we saw that the FIA wanted to make us stop speak up for what we believe Seb was the first one to contact me and we planned everything with all of the other drivers. Which I need to say a big thank you to for all of their support. »
« Okay, but Lewis if I didn’t wrongly see at the end of the race you kissed again no ? Can you explain that ? Maybe clear everything up ? »
« Yes of course, then maybe Seb should join us to answer as well ? »
Lewis walked towards Seb, grabbed him and came back to the press with him.
« So you saw correctly Seb and I did kissed again at the end of the race and this one wasn’t just for support » Lewis stopped here and Seb jump on to the next part
« Lewis and I are in a relationship, I’m pansexual and I’m really happy where I am. To answer your next question about my wife and my kids, everything is alright. My wife knows everything and we are getting a divorce but she is still my best friend and we are in good relationship so no worries about my kids they will be fine. »
« So yes we are together and I’m bisexual and I’m really happy where I am also »
« So when some of the drivers said in their interview that they were show support to some friend or be there for someone who need them it was for you ? »
Seb was the one answering « Well apparently yes, I need to say that I was quite surprised that it came up from them but I’m really glad they show support and their support are more that welcome. »
« Thank you Sebastian and Lewis. »
And with that the 2023 F1 race can continue.
The FIA take back their announcement when they see that the drivers will do everything they can to speak up anyway.