Geeks logo

Review: Netflix's Drive to Survive

F1 reality show hits the spot

By Jocelyn Joy ThomasPublished 2 years ago 5 min read
2
Photo by José Pablo Domínguez on Unsplash

Formula 1 Drive to Survive is in its third season and filming its fourth. The Netflix original has made many new fans to F1 in the US. With its characteristic drama, this series is as bingeworthy as it gets. It even comes with a curse; you can't get more dramatic than that.

For those who are new to motorsport Formula 1 has been an international favorite for decades. Starting in 1950 the sport has increased in size and popularity. With long-standing teams like Ferrari, Mercedes, Williams, and McLaren still racing and new teams like American owned Haas joining Formula 1 more recently. Races are held in various locations throughout the season which starts in March and ends in December. There are ten teams on the grid, with two drivers per team.

Each race week starts on Friday with two practices. Saturday there is a final practice and a qualifying session, to determine grid positions for the race. Sunday is race day. Traveling to a new circuit each race means there are new variables introduced to the drivers. Some tracks are particularly challenging. Spa (Belgium), Circuit de Monaca, and the newly opened Jeddah track in Saudi Arabia were some of the toughest this season.

Drive to Survive showcases certain teams and their drivers during each episode over a racing weekend. Racing is an intense sport, tensions run high as the drivers compete to earn points in races toward a driver championship and a constructor (team) championship each season. Netflix's Drive to Survive captures all the tension, strategy, and behind-the-scenes details that we miss only viewing the races.

With a schedule that globe-trots throughout the season viewers of the show and motor racing see a variety of locations. Places such as Australia, (Melbourne Grand Prix), Austria, (The Red Bull Ring), Italy (Monza, Imola), Belgium (Spa), Monaco (Circuit de Monaco), and the US, (Circuit of the Americas) among many others. Drive to Survive covers race weekends while weaving the storyline of the drivers and their teams within each episode.

The show does a good job of telling a story, although it's clear they have edited for dramatic effect. Red Bull's Max Verstappen, a top driver in the sport, has opted to no longer interview for the show, stating that the show makes up rivalries that don't exist.

Other drivers such as Esteban Ocon who has driven for Force India, Renault, and currently Alpine believe it has helped their career,

"I think Netflix has changed a lot of my life, not just the public stuff but also my career. In difficult times where I didn't have a seat, that came out and people could actually see that I was desperate to have a drive again, and that probably helped for my career, to come back." Esteban Ocon

Drive to Survive consists of interviews of drivers and team members, race footage, behind-the-scenes footage in the paddocks, and off-track footage often following the driver’s home. We see Daniel Riccardo in season one at home in Perth Australia, we meet his mom and dad. We adventure with Charles Leclerc at home in Monaco deep-sea diving and viewing a sunken ship. We visit Pierre Gasly’s parent’s home and watch as his mom pulls out a little race jacket Pierre wore in karting.

One of my favorite scenes is in season two, episode nine, titled, Blood Sweat and Tears. In it, William’s driver George Russel gave a talking to his team about the poor performance of the car. Anyone would be frustrated in his position, it’s fascinating to hear these candid conversations, something drivers would rarely talk about directly to the press.

Drive to Survive does a good job at capturing the nuances of the sport. Silly season is a time when drivers are being signed, or let go of, other teams can make a move and sign a driver. Season two, episode eight, titled, Musical Chairs is a good example. The episode follows the ups and downs of Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg whose contract is up at the end of the season. With younger driver Esteban Ocon out of a seat at this point in the series and giving the German driver a run for his money, the episode is packed with twists.

Team rivalry’s come with F1, one of the most entertaining rivalries in the series is between McLaren’s Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz. Their first year together, Lando’s rookie year, the two got on extremely well. Season three, episode eight, titled, No Regrets, does a great job of telling the story between the two drivers. Despite Carlos and Lando’s friendship, Lando being an up-and-coming young driver seems to put pressure on Carlos. He eventually decides to change teams, with Lando making some interesting comments about the move. The tensions spill over onto the racetrack and in interviews making it one of the most entertaining episodes to date.

Finally, there is the Netflix curse. It is said that when Netflix is filming in a team paddock, they won't do well during the race that weekend. It has been true for some teams, such as Mercedes in 2019 during the German Grand Prix when Mercedes driver Bottas crashed and Hamilton, a typical winner placed 9th. For most teams, they come away from the Netflix coverage weekend unscathed but it is still something talked about and for some, worried over.

If you enjoy drama, tension, racing, travel, international sport, and team rivalries, Drive to Survive is absolutely worth a watch.

review
2

About the Creator

Jocelyn Joy Thomas

Writer, spiritual teacher, and travel enthusiast. Enjoying the journey! Join my mailing list and receive a free guide on How to Meet Your Guides in Three Steps!

https://joysnewsletter.weebly.com/

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.