Netflix's hit series Formula 1: Drive to Survive has returned for its eighth season, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at the world of motor racing. As viewers prepare for the latest instalment, a recap of the most dramatic moments from previous seasons highlights the crashes, rivalries and emotional highs that have defined the show.
Season one featured the intense intra-team rivalry between Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull Racing. The tension culminated at the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Ricciardo collided with Verstappen's car on lap 40 while attempting to slipstream past. The crash led to Ricciardo's departure from Red Bull and a move to rival team Renault. Team principal Christian Horner described the incident as 'a low point', noting that both drivers had agreed to give each other space before the race.
One of the most terrifying moments in F1 history occurred during the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, when Romain Grosjean's Haas car burst into flames after crashing through barriers on the opening lap. Miraculously, Grosjean survived the fireball crash, suffering extensive burns to his hands. The incident, featured in season three's episode 'Man on Fire', ended his F1 career after 179 Grands Prix. Lewis Hamilton said it was 'hard to watch', while Haas principal Guenther Steiner called it 'the worst thing you can have'.
Season four captured the fierce title battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Their rivalry came to a head at the 2021 British Grand Prix in Silverstone, where the two collided on the first lap, resulting in Verstappen's car being loaded onto a truck. The crash added another chapter to their storied competition, which ultimately saw Verstappen claim his first world championship.
