The Drive To Survive Season 4 was an enormous hit as fans were eager to revisit the 2021 season, just as they always have been with the past seasons of the show. However, this time around, there were complaints about the built-up drama in the show. Further, the renowned F1 correspondent, Rebbeca Clancy, shed further light on how the F1 paddock has increasing anxiety for the show.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Netflix came up with the documentary series, Drive To Survive, back in 2019. The show became an immediate hit among F1 fans and even helped attract more new audiences to the sport. However, the Netflix show has always faced criticism for the added drama and built-up rivalries.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
F1 correspondent on DTS Season 4
The fourth season received praises for showing more races. But it again showcased some built-up rivalries, like a tremendous tension between Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. However, F1 journalist, Rebeca Clancy revealed that there was actually no such tension between the McLaren duo. She further revealed how F1 CEO met Netflix and asked them to show more reality.
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – MARCH 12: Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren and Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and McLaren F1 stand on the grid during Day One of Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on March 12, 2021, in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images)
Rebecca said, “There’s quite a lot of angst about how it is portrayed. It’s undeniable in terms of popularity… but in the paddock it’s tricky. The 2021 season was arguably the best ever in F1. You were better off just watching the (races) instead of Drive to Survive.”
“In episode two, it makes out there is a big rift between Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris, and there isn’t. I spoke to Lando Norris, and he said, ‘Didn’t know you and Daniel had fallen out?’. He was like, ‘I haven’t, I watched it, it’s so ridiculous.’ It’s got to the point where the F1 CEO has to go and meet with Netflix to say look, perhaps you can be slightly more truthful about it.”
Max Verstappen still dislikes DTS
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Drive To Survive is undoubtedly helped to promote Formula 1. And the motorsport also received a new fanbase thanks to the series. However, the reigning champion is not fond of the show. He even refused to appear in the latest installment of the show.
Formula One F1 – Pre-Season Testing – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 10, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen during testing REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
Max Verstappen refused to show himself on the DTS Season 4 because of the built-up drama. The Netflix show has always been the target of the audience to show an exaggerated version of F1 rivalries or fights. The Dutchman pointed out how the show misrepresents the drive like they did this season with the McLaren duo.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY: From Lewis Hamilton’s retirement to a hatchback F1 car – best April fools pranks
All in all, the show has received a lot of criticism this season from fans and many F1 drivers. But Netflix is planning for a season 5. With this, fans who like the Netflix F1 show can look forward to the DTS Season 5 next year.
