Netflix‘s Drive to Survive is back with its seventh season, but what did we learn from the first two episodes telling the story of the 2024 Formula 1 campaign?
Episode 1, dubbed ‘Business as Usual’ handles in its majority, the two major off-track narratives that prefaced the 2024 campaign: Lewis Hamilton’s movement to Ferrari and the allegations of misconduct against Red Bull boss Christian Horner.
But before the episode tucks into that, there’s time to reflect on Red Bull’s 2023 dominance and then a flash-forward sizzle reel of all the drama to come in 2024. It’s typical fare from Netflix, which wears its Drive to Survive template like a well-worn pair of shoes. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The highlight reel also serves to remind us all how good the 2024 season was and how much Netflix will have to pack in.
Hamilton and Sainz get candid
We then pivot into Hamilton’s Ferrari announcement. The fallout from the key players, Hamilton, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur and the ousted Carlos Sainz doesn’t uncover much new ground for any of the existing fan base, but for those new to the series (which Drive to Survive is for at the end of the day) it is a good account of the events.
For those wanting extra, the Netflix mics pick up an intriguing conversation between Sainz and Hamilton during a Bahrain GP press conference.
Hamilton asks: “Have you talked to Toto?”
Sainz: “I haven’t yet, which makes me feel like if he had any interest he would have already called me.”
This is where Drive to Survive shines, where it can offer new and existing fans an interesting behind-the-scenes nugget previously unseen or unheard. It’s also why the 20 drivers gathering for their group photo in Bahrain is another highlight, giving viewers a brief glimpse into candid chats between the Grand Prix gladiators.
Horner faces adversity
Episode 1 ends with bold capital letters across the screen, reading: “The dismissal of the complaint against Christian Horner was later appealed. The appeal was carried out by an independent senior lawyer who did not uphold it.”
This is an important note to end the episode on, given that Netflix’s lens on the entire saga no doubt will drudge up a fresh batch of criticism against Horner a year on from the events in question.
Those allegations form a big part of ‘Business as Usual’ as the media frenzy follows Horner like a crazed shadow from pillar to post. The weight of the saga is worn across Horner’s face as he seemingly can’t escape consistent questioning throughout the RB20 launch, pre-season testing and the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Netflix feasts happily on the drama and the format of Dive to Survive shines as news of the leaked dossier connected to the Horner allegations crashed through the paddock like a Tsunami.
“The higher you rise, the sharper the knife,” Horner says amid Netflix’s retelling of events.
Episode 1 doesn’t end there, as it finds room to cram in Sainz’s two-week recovery from appendicitis in Saudi Arabia to victory in Australia. This goes to show how much potential content the 2024 season offered up for Drive to Survive to sink its teeth into.
As Clair Williams, a welcome returnee as a Drive to Survive regular states: “Is 2024 going to be dull? I don’t think so.”
Episode 2 doesn’t offer as much drama
Episode 1 may be called ‘Business as Usual’ but that phrasing feels more apt for Episode 2, ‘Frenemies,’ which charts the 2024 rivalry between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. Here, everything feels a bit more familiar and is Netflix simply going through the motions.
It paints McLaren as a contender from the get-go in 2024, failing to rise to Red Bull’s dominant challenge, although in reality, this wasn’t really a fight until Miami, where Netflix allows fans to revel once again in the joy of Norris’ first win.
We then head to Norris and Verstappen’s clash in Austria and the fallout from it as the McLaren driver reacts to the Dutchman’s indifference towards the incident.
“I’m not here to be loved or whatever, I’m here to do my job,” Verstappen says in the Netflix chair.
Meanwhile, Norris waits for an apology which we as an audience aren’t privy to seeing, if there was one at all.
The constructed drama then heads to Zandvoort, the other end of the summer break where Norris’ hunt for a second win ultimately came to an end. Netflix is trying its best to stoke the fire of McLaren’s ill-fated fight for the Drivers’ title that never truly came to prominence.
For anyone who hasn’t watched F1 before, Episode 2 serves as a compelling enough entry to let viewers know how certain elements of the championship unfolded, but Episode 1 is Drive to Survive at its best, where there is something for everyone to enjoy.
READ MORE – Ferrari explains the benefit Lewis Hamilton’s arrival will have on Charles Leclerc
