Formula 1

F1 To Address Drive To Survive Drama-Inducing Storylines After Drivers Complain

F1 documentary series ‘Drive To Survive’ has brought new audiences to the sport since it came out in 2019. However, it has started to get some criticism from both viewers and the drivers for exaggerating storylines.

Red Bull driver, Max Verstappen, has decided to not appear in the series anymore due to this. He explained in an interview last year:

“They faked a few rivalries which they don’t really exist. So I decided to not be a part of it and did not give any more interviews after that because then there is nothing you can show.”

Being part of a Netflix series has brought massive benefits to the sport so F1 CEO, Stefan Domenicali, has said that after talking to the teams about it, Netflix will be asked to hold back on the fake elements so drivers will continue to participate on the show.

Dominicali said:

“There is no question that the Netflix project has had a very successful effect.

“In order to ignite the interest of a new audience, a tone was used that in some ways focused on dramatising the story.

“It’s an opportunity, but I think it needs to be understood. We talked about it this weekend [in Bahrain] at a meeting with the teams as well.

“A driver who refuses to participate because he feels he is not being represented in the right way is not being constructive; so a dialogue is needed to understand how he can be included in a format that he feels is correct.

“We will also talk to Netflix, because it is necessary that the story does not move away from reality, otherwise it no longer fits.

“It is a topic that we will address together with the drivers. We have to make sure that a project that has generated such exceptional traction has a language that continues to appeal, but without distorting the image and the meaning of the sport that we live with every day.”

Max Verstappen is not alone in his views either. McLaren driver, Lando Norris explained after the latest series launched:

“There are obviously some comments and things here and there which are maybe out of place for sure. When you’re the person that it’s about, you maybe don’t agree with it so much because it can make you look like you said something in a time and place which is definitely not correct.”

 

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