Netflix's Formula 1 docuseries Drive to Survive has returned for an eighth season, but the latest instalment—covering the 2025 campaign—has been met with criticism for lacking the cutting edge that made the show a global phenomenon. The season has been reduced from ten episodes to eight, with Netflix claiming the narrative creatively lent itself to a shorter run. However, upon viewing, the series appears to have lost its spark, with fewer memorable soundbites, paddock confrontations, or viral moments.
While there are still intriguing glimpses into the F1 circus—such as the brutal axing of Jack Doohan at Alpine, the focus on rookie Kimi Antonelli, and an amusing exchange between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen about fatherhood—the season suffers from a lack of genuine fly-on-the-wall access and compelling personal interviews. Notably, Verstappen has reportedly begun a second boycott of the show, refusing to be interviewed, while Hamilton also declined to sit in the interviewee chair during his worst-ever F1 campaign with Ferrari.
The depiction of Christian Horner's downfall at Red Bull is another weak point. Although the season opens with Horner discussing his reaction at home with wife Geri Halliwell and reveals a text from rival Toto Wolff, there is no behind-the-scenes footage from his final races or revealing paddock conversations. The show has lost key characters like Horner, Guenther Steiner, and Daniel Ricciardo, who provided drama and frankness. In their absence, the series struggles to find new compelling figures among a generation of team bosses described as engineering boffins rather than mafia men.
Ultimately, Drive to Survive may be a victim of its own success. Having drawn in new fans who now follow races closely, the show finds it harder to offer fresh insights. The addition of Nico Rosberg as a pundit is a positive step, but the continued prominence of Will Buxton feels somewhat odd given his departure from the sport. As the series enters a new era, it faces the challenge of reinventing itself to maintain its appeal.
