Has Drive to Survive Run Out of Road? Why the New Season of F1's Netflix Hit Falls Flat
In hindsight, the first sign that something was amiss came with the Netflix episode list. Why has Season 8 of Formula 1: Drive to Survive – the show that launched the sport, the streaming platform, and the behind-the-scenes docuseries into the British mainstream – been trimmed from ten episodes to eight? Officially, Netflix told The Independent that "the narrative creatively lent itself to eight episodes." On the surface, it might seem like a moot point, but after watching the full collection ahead of its Friday release, there is no doubt this latest instalment, chronicling the 2025 campaign including Lando Norris's championship high and Lewis Hamilton's career low, lacks its usual cutting edge.
Missing Stars and Diminished Access
Typically, Drive to Survive delivers a myriad of memorable moments: soundbites, paddock rage, or meme-able social media clips. This season, however, falls flat. Notably, the show lacks its key double-billing: genuine fly-on-the-wall access and enthralling personal interviews. Max Verstappen has seemingly started a second boycott, opting against interviews with Box to Box producers, while Hamilton, amid his worst-ever F1 campaign with Ferrari, does not once sit in the infamous interviewee chair. With the sport's two biggest stars absent, it's hardly a glowing endorsement.
For both drivers, behind-the-scenes glimpses were limited to zoomed-in shots: Verstappen in Red Bull's hospitality unit before Abu Dhabi, and Hamilton speaking to children at his Mission 44 charity event. The depiction of Christian Horner's downfall at Red Bull also lacked genuine insight. While Horner discusses his reaction with wife Geri Halliwell at home and shares a touching text from rival Toto Wolff, there is no footage from his final races at Silverstone or Austria. The chorus of boos at the 2025 season launch set the narrative, but in-season, revealing paddock conversations were missing.
Victim of Its Own Success
In many ways, the show is now a victim of its own success. By engaging new fans who now watch races and know stories before they air, Drive to Survive faces a paradox of popularity. How does it stay fresh? Nico Rosberg's addition as a pundit is solid, but Will Buxton's front-and-centre role feels odd given his IndyCar commentary job. More pivotally, the episode formula has stagnated, with some episodes even starting identically: a driver or team principal on a helicopter overlooking the track.
For fans of Norris, eager for insight into his title triumph, there is a lack of punch, save for a few expletives from Zak Brown. Altogether, it feels too stale and predictable. The show has lost key characters like Horner, Guenther Steiner, and Daniel Ricciardo – chief antagonists and f-bomb merchants – leaving Netflix to carve new caricatures in an era of engineering-focused team bosses.
Looking Ahead to 2026
There will almost certainly be another season. The 2026 campaign, with new teams, cars, and dreams, promises unpredictability, though producers must convey its complexity simply. The show remains a net-positive for F1 and Netflix, generating profits and numbers, and has spawned a similar series for F1 Academy. Yet, based on this year's offering, a new approach is needed to retain viewers and attract more fans, especially in the US. Otherwise, for the first time since its 2019 debut, this behemoth of sports entertainment may just run out of road.
