As of February 24, “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” kicks off its fifth year with a retrospective look at the previous season’s races, beginning with Episode 1 centered on the opening event of the 2022 season held in Bahrain. The Bahrain track will also serve as the venue for the commencement of the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship, scheduled for March 5.
Formula 1: Drive to Survive is a Netflix original series that premiered on March 8, 2019.
The series provides an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the world of Formula 1, featuring the teams, drivers, and key personnel involved in the sport. The show is produced by James Gay-Rees and Paul Martin, who are also behind the Academy Award-winning documentary Amy, and was created in collaboration with Formula 1.
The first season of Formula 1: Drive to Survive covered the 2018 FIA Formula One World Championship, while the second season covered the 2019 season, and the third season covered the 2020 season, which was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The series provides an in-depth look at the intense rivalries between teams, the high-pressure environment of the race weekends, and the personal stories of the drivers and key figures within the sport. The show also covers the technical side of the sport, exploring the engineering challenges and innovations that are crucial to success in Formula 1.
One of the strengths of the show is the way it balances the drama and excitement of the races with the human stories behind the scenes.
Viewers get to see the drivers and team personnel dealing with the highs and lows of the season, including the emotional impact of crashes, injuries, and team politics. The show also highlights the sacrifices that drivers and their families make to compete at the highest level of motorsport.
Formula 1: Drive to Survive has been widely praised for its high production values, engaging storytelling, and unique access to the inner workings of the sport. The show has also been credited with bringing new fans to Formula 1, as it makes the sport more accessible and relatable to viewers who may not have been familiar with the sport before.
The show has also received some criticism, particularly from long-time Formula 1 fans who feel that the series focuses too heavily on the drama and personal stories, at the expense of the technical side of the sport.
Some fans have also criticized the way the show portrays certain teams and drivers, arguing that it can be overly simplistic or even misleading at times.
At the end of the day, Formula 1: Drive to Survive is a well-produced and engaging series that offers a unique insight into the world of Formula 1. While it may not satisfy the most technical and die-hard fans of the sport, it has undoubtedly helped to bring new fans to Formula 1 and has helped to showcase the excitement, drama, and human stories behind one of the world’s most popular motorsports.