The main questions about Drive to Survive Season 7 answered

There’s an underlying feeling that grows stronger as you make your manner by way of the episodes of Netflix’s seventh Formulation 1 quasi-documentary: they know one another lots higher now. There’s lots much less stating the apparent or over-explaining the fundamentals. Even the principle characters introduce themselves to the digicam far much less typically – and after they do, there’s often an excellent cause, like Andrea Kimi Antonelli forgetting his group’s full identify. Netflix not appears amazed by the interior workings of F1. Season 7 continues the regular shift towards tying the storylines extra carefully to the motion on the observe.

However, it additionally looks like everybody within the paddock is now totally conscious that Netflix is at all times there. Judging by how few moments there are when folks actually let one thing slip in personal conversations, it appears that evidently F1 individuals are extra cautious when the microphones are on. Certain, Christian Horner will get caught calling Zak Brown a “prick,” however later he isn’t precisely shy about saying one thing related in an on-camera interview. Guenther Steiner’s absence is unquestionably felt on this regard. There’s nonetheless some paddock chatter caught on digicam, however nothing fairly like Steiner’s telephone calls with Gene Haas.

Nonetheless, Drive to Survive retains a lot of what made the present so watchable within the first place: off-track tales, strong interviews, and loads of behind-the-scenes entry.

It is nonetheless loud and excessive, proper?

It is nonetheless the Drive to Survive you realize. Netflix does not maintain again on the flashy visuals: there is not any scarcity of yachts, whether or not in Monaco’s harbour or elsewhere – and there are a number of scenes that appear to be included simply to make you jealous of Alessandro Alunni Bravi’s life-style. F1’s dolce vita is on full show, with all the luxurious villas, unique eating places and five-star resort suites that paddock members name dwelling all through the season.

There’s lots much less emphasis on crashes, although, in comparison with earlier seasons. Make no mistake – the largest shunts from final yr are all right here, however the days of over-doing it appear to be behind us. Even the Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz crash in Baku, which in earlier seasons may need been handled like an apocalyptic occasion and dragged out for an excellent 5 minutes, is offered kind of as it’s. And if Williams hoped that crashing lots final yr would get its sponsors extra Netflix display time, properly, that technique clearly did not repay.

Does it supply extra to the principle tales of the final F1 season?

Probably not. Netflix will get proper to the purpose: there was no scarcity of huge tales in F1 final yr, with Lewis Hamilton‘s transfer to Ferrari and the Horner affair being the 2 greatest. However in each instances, Drive to Survive largely watches from the sidelines reasonably than offering any actual background.

Drive to Survive Season 7

Picture by: Netflix

Hamilton’s transfer is advised by way of the same old mixture of press headlines and information snippets, and even a reasonably heartfelt interview with Toto Wolff does not reveal something new to those that comply with F1 carefully.

Identical with Horner – in the event you’re anticipating scenes that actually reveal how difficult this era has been for the Red Bull boss, there aren’t many. And so they actually do not take you behind the scenes. You virtually get the sensation that Netflix is not actually involved in delving into this story – in any case, it is a tough one. After a reasonably transient abstract of occasions within the first episode, the present appears to be attempting to persuade you that there wasn’t a lot drama in Horner’s private life in any respect. Geri Horner seems within the sequence with stunning regularity, at all times portrayed as supportive of her husband. And he or she is at all times – actually at all times – smiling.

Is there clearly one thing lacking?

You might argue that the important thing tales of F1 2024 are all coated and retold, however there was no technique to match all the things into 10 30-ish minute episodes.

Oliver Bearman’s debut in Saudi Arabia? Utterly ignored. The younger Brit solely seems when he has to substitute for Kevin Magnussen in Brazil, which does not do him justice – his standout performances in Jeddah and Baku are lacking completely, and in Sao Paulo he is seen getting a telling-off from Ayao Komatsu.

There’s additionally a way that Perez’s combat for his personal survival in F1 will not be totally explored. There aren’t any backstage moments of him having tough conversations with Horner or Helmut Marko. No private confessions. No off-track footage. That is most likely a results of Checo’s personal relationship with Netflix – at instances he hasn’t been proud of how he is been portrayed in earlier seasons. So, whereas different drivers are nonetheless inviting the Drive to Survive crew into their properties, with Perez we’re left watching from a distance.

Does it present good entry?

There’s nothing that actually makes you go “Wow, that is one thing” – and that is most likely the place Steiner’s absence (he solely seems for a couple of minutes in season 7) is felt as soon as once more. There’s nothing remotely near his winery street journeys with Mattia Binotto.

However there are a few storylines that Netflix is exploring in additional depth. One in all them is Sainz’s transfer to Williams. We get to pay attention to James Vowles’ telephone calls with Sainz’s supervisor – and apparently even witness the signing of the contract. Nevertheless, given Netflix has been caught staging moments like this up to now, you would not be blamed for considering these scenes have been put collectively for the sake of fine tv.

Drive to Survive Season 7

Picture by: Netflix

One other recurring storyline is Purple Bull’s personal testing. Final yr it was Daniel Ricciardo‘s audition. This time it is Liam Lawson attempting to show himself on observe. We see Max Verstappen arriving at Silverstone simply to set a benchmark, and Lawson doing a adequate job to persuade the boss that he is price betting on.

Will we get to see true personalities?

One of many standouts of this season is Lando Norris. He talks to the Netflix cameras virtually greater than Will Buxton and Claire Williams mixed. But it surely’s justified. Norris is open, relaxed, sincere, and emotional in his Drive to Survive interviews – and a few of his admissions give a a lot deeper understanding of the transformation he went by way of in 2024. He is not afraid to confess or discuss his weaknesses. He is snug expressing his feelings – and that makes him much more likeable.

Alongside Norris, Lawson is one other compelling character, bringing his uncooked starvation to lastly land an F1 seat. And Ricciardo? He is virtually too outspoken at instances. His absence subsequent season might be as noticeable as Steiner’s now.

Are there faux tales?

It is laborious to catch the creators red-handed and accuse them of outright mendacity. There’s lots much less plot twisting than in earlier seasons. However the tendency to overdramatise? Oh, it is nonetheless very a lot there.

Norris’ first F1 victory in Miami is framed as the results of his personal private development, with the present utterly ignoring the truth that McLaren introduced an enormous improve to its automobile for the primary US race of the season. As a substitute, the narrative begins with “McLaren lastly gave Norris a profitable automobile” – however for the primary few races, it is virtually as if he is the one struggling to unlock its potential. And when the Miami win lastly occurs, Netflix turns up the drama dial – even if Norris gained by a snug margin, the present tries to make you imagine that Verstappen was respiration down his neck all the way in which to the end line.

And naturally, there’s loads of awkwardness with the drivers and group bosses off the observe – the place they’re grilled by buddies or members of the family with some painfully banal questions. We get Susie Wolff asking her husband who would possibly exchange Hamilton. We get Carmen Montero Mundt asking her boyfriend George Russell if he is “prepared for tomorrow” earlier than the Singapore race – solely to have him go into an entire rationalization about how the humidity reminds him of a sauna. Whereas the 2 of them are sitting in a swimming pool. Yeah, proper.

What are the most effective episodes?

Regardless of the same old exaggerations, the episodes that target the Norris vs. Verstappen rivalry, in addition to the intra-team strife at McLaren, stand out as highlights of the present. Norris alone offers sufficient drama to maintain issues fascinating, and Verstappen’s contribution – albeit transient – can also be respectable, which is greater than may be stated for a few of his earlier Drive to Survive appearances.

Drive to Survive Season 7

Picture by: Netflix

It is also fairly fascinating to see how the McLaren group orders scenario is advised, with Norris admitting to a pal that he “at first wasn’t going to let” his team-mate Oscar Piastri by way of in Hungary.

Netflix can also be experimenting with one thing new – one episode is partially filmed by the drivers themselves. Norris, Russell, Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon are given smartphones to file private video diaries throughout the weekend of the Singapore Grand Prix, providing a contemporary technique to look behind the scenes.

What are the worst episodes?

Final season was filled with large storylines, so not like some (if not most) earlier seasons, there are no utterly pointless episodes with pressured narratives. However there are two that really feel a little bit off.

The episode devoted to Leclerc is arguably essentially the most melodramatic within the historical past of Drive to Survive – it may virtually be a film in its personal proper.

Then there’s the episode in regards to the Alpine vs. Haas battle for sixth within the constructors’ championship, which bizarrely revolves across the dismissal of Esteban Ocon. The way in which it is framed is odd: the present virtually tries to suggest that Ocon is not motivated anymore, however then – whoops! – he instantly finishes second in Sao Paulo. It is as if the present had already selected its storyline after which needed to awkwardly push apart the inconvenient indisputable fact that Ocon really delivered the group’s finest results of the season.

Is it enjoyable to observe?

It is a very properly made present, visually pleasing, and most significantly, it is not excessive with particular results anymore. You do not have to show the amount down each time there is a crash scene.

Drive to Survive Season 7

Picture by: Netflix

It additionally does a strong job of exhibiting F1 folks outdoors the paddock. You get to see Leclerc buying – and even his card being rejected on the checkout for inadequate funds. You get invited to Vowles’ household breakfast. You get to go to the Ricciardo and Ocon households.

There’s loads of banter and jokes to make you’re feeling welcome behind the scenes of F1, together with a good quantity of below-the-belt humour – humorous or questionable, relying in your style – and an countless stream of swearing. The F-word might be essentially the most utilized in your complete sequence, and if the FIA ever decides to start out penalising drivers for profanity in Drive to Survive, half the grid might be banned earlier than the Australian GP.

Is it price watching?

There isn’t any manner it is going to please everybody. Hardcore F1 followers will inevitably roll their eyes at sure scenes and dialogue. There isn’t any point out of flexi-wings or McLaren’s mini-DRS, and among the strategic battles are oversimplified.

Oh, and there is Norris within the closing laps of Abu Dhabi, respiration like he is about to move out.

But when we settle for that Drive to Survive was by no means actually meant for the hardcore viewers, it stays completely watchable and serves as a enjoyable technique to move the time whereas ready for the brand new F1 season to start out.