Content warning for mentions of sexual harassment
Since its release in 2018, Formula 1: Drive to Survive has long been a polarising piece of reality television for devoted pundits and casual motorsport fans alike. What means to be an exclusive look at the world’s fastest drivers (and the challenging pursuit to be no. 1) has routinely been criticised for its depiction of dramatised rivalries to seemingly scripted scenes for Netflix audiences. Regardless, the reality docu-series is pivotal for the motorsport’s commercial success and its overall purpose: to be an accessible entry point for new audiences and an entertaining refresher for casual and dedicated fans.
With March well underway, the first Formula 1 race of the year (at Albert Park, no less!) nears, and so does the long-awaited drop of Drive to Survive’s seventh season uncovering last year’s affairs. Unlike its predecessor, 2024 was a dramatic year for the sport—a year-long ‘silly season’ if you will—filled with crazy driver line-up changes, problematic car designs, and serious controversies that perturbed the paddock. Compare that to the uneventful dominance of Red Bull in 2023, it comes as no surprise that this season is one that’s highly anticipated.
As expected, two of 2024’s biggest stories take centre stage in Drive to Survive. One of these is, of course, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes in a shock move to Ferrari. Those looking to get an insight behind the top driver’s move to red, however, are bound to get disappointed with no proper coverage of Hamilton himself—only a couple shushed whispers with now ex-Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr about his dissatisfaction with the car, which is heavily insinuated to be his sole motivator for leaving. Episodes ‘Business as Usual’ and ‘Looking Out For Number 1’ only depict the impact of his transfer. Sainz tries to prove himself worthy of a spot in the grid and Mercedes looks to fill the world champion’s seat. Netflix is merely on the sidelines rather than in on the action with Hamilton, making for an anticlimactic depiction.
The second major story to have struck the paddock are the sexual misconduct allegations faced by Red Bull Racing’s CEO and team principal Christian Horner. In February 2024, a female Red Bull employee accused Horner of inappropriate and controlling behaviour. Only 24 hours after Horner had been cleared from sexual misconduct in an internal investigation, suggestive exchanges between him and the accuser were leaked and circulated to team officials and journalists.
Despite the gravity of the situation, ‘Business as Usual’ uncovers the allegations as some kind of redemption arc for Horner. His “bravery” in facing public scrutiny is highlighted as he brushes off the allegations as something that “causes [him] the maximum amount of distraction” from Formula 1. It’s concerning how much of the season favours Horner—his screen time surpassing that of other drivers in the grid—despite his failure to deny any wrongdoings. We see him and the Red Bull team repeat the mantra “business as usual” when responding to critics, showing how easy it is for men to face allegations and still keep their high-powered roles while the victim (and women in general) is forced to leave her job. It may be “business as usual” for Horner, but what of the alleged victim?
Whie mid-season changes and driver contract expiries abound in 2024, the docu-series cuts short on the dramatic shake-up of the driver market. Fresh newcomers Jack Doohan, Ollie Bearman, and Kimi Antonelli get their much-deserved spotlight, whereas other incoming rookies Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar are in the backseat. The massive storyline of Franco Colapinto replacing Logan Sargeant in Williams mid-season is ignored despite the Argentinian’s impressive performance. And while RB driver and Drive to Survive starlet Daniel Riccardo is afforded goodbyes, other exiting drivers including Sergio Perez (Red Bull), Valtteri Bottas (Kick Sauber), Zhou Guanyu (Kick Sauber), Kevin Magnussen (Haas) and Logan Sargeant (Williams) are celebrated with little to no coverage.
There are times when the docu-series does show its charm. Despite its arbitrary name, ‘Le Curse of Leclerc’ is a poignant episode that touches on the historic Monaco Grand Prix, where all eyes are on Monegasque and pole-sitter Charles Leclerc. His on-track blunders from previous years are revisited, shaping the 2024 race as his attempt to break free from his streak of misfortune. This episode of his long-awaited and momentous win is made special by the depiction of Leclerc’s unwavering mentality and passion despite what he’s faced off-track.
Additionally, undoubtedly one of the most interesting episodes to come out of Drive to Survive is ‘In the Heat of the Night’. The quintet of lifelong friends (Leclerc, Gasly, Russell, Norris, and Albon) take charge behind the cameras for a change ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix with personal video diaries powering the episode. Inside jokes and padel matches aplenty, it’s a fun and authentic glimpse into the lives of such elite drivers. There’s a certain kind of vulnerability shown here as they navigate the most strenuous race of the season. We see Russell struggle to the point of a panic attack and moments later, he reveals how he’d lost four kilos in two hours.
The seventh season misses its mark with other things, including little to no coverage on: Hamilton’s dramatic home race win at Silverstone (his first since the 2021 season), McLaren’s problematic mini-DRS, Russell and Verstappen’s feud, Russell’s eventual disqualification from Spa, Kick Sauber and Aston Martin’s season in general, and more.
Drive to Survive was never one for faithful representations of the sport, but I do believe that its strength showed at its most vulnerable. From emotional wins to miraculous podium finishes, its intimate insight into the drivers who push their bodies to the limit is unlike anything else and truly something special.