Formula One arrives in Austin, Texas this weekend with all eyes on Kim Kardashian, whose romance with Lewis Hamilton has added a new layer of celebrity to the sport. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Kimi Antonelli is on the brink of becoming the youngest ever world champion, making it a busy time for F1 insider Will Buxton, host of Netflix's Formula 1: Drive To Survive.
Kardashian, 46, has been a presence on the circuit since April, when she publicly confirmed her relationship with Hamilton on Instagram. Racing expert Buxton, who has known Lewis since the mid-2000s, expressed his happiness for the Ferrari driver.
The Human Side of Lewis Hamilton
Buxton recalls meeting Hamilton when he was a Formula 3 driver, noting the 41-year-old is "very different" now but still "a nice lad from Stevenage at heart." He said: "I don't think he's changed all that much, he just loves his racing. He's a very private guy, with a close group of friends that he holds very dear."
Buxton added: "There's the guy at the racetracks, a version of the guy that we're allowed to see. I think the guy away from the track is probably quite different, but he's a good soul."
The High-Stakes World of F1 Drivers
The precarious nature of an F1 driver's career is a key theme. Buxton explained: "There are 22 drivers in Formula One. That's it. 22 seats, 22 teams, the same people going to places. It can become quite incestuous."
He described how drivers start in go-karts at age four, five, or six, and climb through Formula 4, 3, and 2, with "thousands left on the scrap heap every year." The fear of losing their seat drives them to "fight tooth and nail to hang onto that dream."
Drive To Survive's Impact
Buxton credits the Netflix series with transforming the sport's appeal. He said: "For the longest time, I think Formula One struggled to appeal to the masses because it focused so much on technology rather than personality. Then along came Drive To Survive and I think it completely changed the way sports documentaries are made."
The series highlights bitter rivalries, such as the one between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, who were childhood friends but became fierce teammates. Buxton noted: "They started making contact and smashing each other off the racetrack. Like, it's a real soap opera. It's brilliant, it's such fun."
Kimi Antonelli, the Italian prodigy expected to win at the United States Grand Prix, was scouted as a child and backed by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. He is also the son of racing driver Marco Antonelli. Buxton acknowledged the "social awkwardness" that comes with drivers' lives, noting: "They've been told from the earliest days that they are the best, because you have to believe that."
Up To Speed is available on YouTube, Global Player, and all major podcast platforms.
