Drive to Survive s5 gets release date – and world champion Max Verstappen is taking part

By Sylvester Simmonds 13 January, 2023 4 mins read 171 Views

Formula 1: Drive to Survive, the long-running documentary series following motorsport’s elite, is coming back to Netflix for season 5 next month.

A first-look teaser not only confirmed a release date of Friday, February 24but also addressed the question of whether reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who has previously been critical of the series, will actively take part.

the answer? yes

About 15 seconds into the first-look trailer, Verstappen — who became a double Formula 1 drivers’ champion in 2022 — is asked how he feels about being in the interview hot seat. With a smile, he says: “Alright.”

Dan Istitene – Formula 1Getty Images

Verstappen had previously been vocal about his dislike of the show’s editing, and was only seen very briefly in some behind-the-scenes footage during season 4, covering his 2021 title campaign.

“I watched a few episodes of the last one and I was surprised, I suddenly found myself talking in it. And it’s probably stuff from, like, 2018 or something they picked up and used again — about fighting and what I like to do, ” he remarked premiered shortly after the previous season of Drive to Survive.

Verstappen’s concerns extended beyond his own portrayal, as he also expressed some dismay at how he felt his friends Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris had been portrayed during the McLaren-centric episodes in season 4.

However, in July 2022, he hinted that he was open to reviewing his decision not to take part in the series.

Dan Istitene – Formula 1Getty Images

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Speaking before the British grand prix, Verstappen explained: “I just sat together with them and I explained how I thought about it and what I thought went wrong in the past and it was actually a very good, quick little chat and we’ll try to improve from there.

“That’s all I’m asking for. That’s it, just more realistic, at least from my side. I cannot control, of course, what they do with other drivers, but at least I want to be in control with what I’m releasing. That’s what we’re going to do.”

And in November 2022, he told GQ that he had agreed to a sit-down interview, adding: “It’s just good to understand what we both want from each other, right? And I think the interview we did was good, so… I just wanted to keep it real. You know, no fake stuff. No overhyped things. Because that’s not how I am.

“I just want it to be to the point, and my opinion, and how I see things. Of course, we still need to see the end product, but it all sounds good.”

Anadolu AgencyGiphy

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In response to criticism of its approach, Drive to Survive’s producers have previously stated that they feel no need to exaggerate narratives, with Paul Martin telling BBC Sport that “over the four series [to date]Drive to Survive hasn’t over-editorialised anything”.

Other F1 drivers have also previously appealed for future seasons of Drive to Survive to reflect their real experiences as authentically as possible.

Pierre Gasly said he felt drivers were “happy to play our part in the show, but as long as it kind of reflects who we are personally.” He continued: “On my side, I never had any issue. I never felt like they were kind of changing or adding more drama than we had.”

Mark Thompson – Formula 1Getty Images

Esteban Ocon, who will be Gasly’s teammate at Alpine in 2023, added: “I think, of course, it’s good to have an opening… from the outside world of Formula 1. I think it has been a big benefit to have Netflix onboard.

“But it’s important, I think, to stick to how we are in reality. But yeah, for me, it has been positive.”

Formula 1’s CEO Stefano Domenicali also appears in the new Drive to Survive teaser trailer, where he appears to be talking about the major regulation change that came into effect for the sport’s 2022 season.

Journalist and F1 TV broadcaster Will Buxton, who has shared his insight and analysis of the sport on Drive to Survive since it launched back in 2019, also sets the scene for the behind-the-scenes look at Formula 1’s 2022 campaign — teasing “a new dawn” for the teams and drivers.

Formula 1: Drive to Survive seasons 1-4 are streaming on Netflix. Season 5 launches on Friday, February 24.