The main questions about Drive to Survive Season 7 answered

There’s an underlying feeling that grows stronger as you make your manner by the episodes of Netflix’s seventh Components 1 quasi-documentary: they know one another quite a bit higher now. There’s quite a bit much less stating the apparent or over-explaining the fundamentals. Even the primary characters introduce themselves to the digital camera far much less typically – and once they do, there’s normally motive, like Andrea Kimi Antonelli forgetting his staff’s full identify. Netflix not appears amazed by the inside workings of F1. Season 7 continues the regular shift towards tying the storylines extra intently to the motion on the observe.

Alternatively, it additionally seems like everybody within the paddock is now absolutely conscious that Netflix is all the time there. Judging by how few moments there are when individuals actually let one thing slip in personal conversations, it appears that evidently F1 individuals are extra cautious when the microphones are on. Positive, Christian Horner will get caught calling Zak Brown a “prick,” however later he is not precisely shy about saying one thing comparable in an on-camera interview. Guenther Steiner’s absence is certainly felt on this regard. There’s nonetheless some paddock chatter caught on digital camera, however nothing fairly like Steiner’s cellphone 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 understand. Netflix would not maintain again on the flashy visuals: there is no scarcity of yachts, whether or not in Monaco’s harbour or elsewhere – and there are just a few scenes that appear to be included simply to make you jealous of Alessandro Alunni Bravi’s way of life. F1’s dolce vita is on full show, with all the posh villas, unique eating places and five-star lodge suites that paddock members name house all through the season.

There’s quite a bit much less emphasis on crashes, although, in comparison with earlier seasons. Make no mistake – the most important 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 5 minutes, is introduced kind of as it’s. And if Williams hoped that crashing quite a bit final yr would get its sponsors extra Netflix display time, effectively, that technique clearly did not repay.

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

Not likely. 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 circumstances, Drive to Survive principally watches from the sidelines moderately than offering any actual background.

Drive to Survive Season 7

Picture by: Netflix

Hamilton’s transfer is instructed by the same old mixture of press headlines and information snippets, and even a moderately heartfelt interview with Toto Wolff would not reveal something new to those that observe F1 intently.

Identical with Horner – when you’re anticipating scenes that basically reveal how difficult this era has been for the Red Bull boss, there aren’t many. They usually definitely do not take you behind the scenes. You nearly get the sensation that Netflix is not actually enthusiastic about delving into this story – in any case, it is a tough one. After a moderately transient abstract of occasions within the first episode, the present appears to be making an attempt to persuade you that there wasn’t a lot drama in Horner’s private life in any respect. Geri Horner seems within the collection with stunning regularity, all the time portrayed as supportive of her husband. And he or she is all the time – actually all the time – smiling.

Is there clearly one thing lacking?

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

Oliver Bearman’s debut in Saudi Arabia? Fully 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 fully, and in Sao Paulo he is seen getting a telling-off from Ayao Komatsu.

There’s additionally a way that Perez’s battle for his personal survival in F1 is just not absolutely explored. There aren’t any backstage moments of him having troublesome conversations with Horner or Helmut Marko. No private confessions. No off-track footage. That is in all probability a results of Checo’s personal relationship with Netflix – at instances he hasn’t been pleased with 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 basically makes you go “Wow, that is one thing” – and that is in all probability 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 highway journeys with Mattia Binotto.

However there are a few storylines that Netflix is exploring in additional depth. Certainly one of them is Sainz’s transfer to Williams. We get to pay attention to James Vowles’ cellphone calls with Sainz’s supervisor – and apparently even witness the signing of the contract. Nonetheless, given Netflix has been caught staging moments like this previously, you would not be blamed for considering these scenes had 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 making an attempt 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 value 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 nearly greater than Will Buxton and Claire Williams mixed. But it surely’s justified. Norris is open, relaxed, trustworthy, 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 in 2024. He is not afraid to confess or speak about his weaknesses. He is comfy 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 nearly too outspoken at instances. His absence subsequent season might be as noticeable as Steiner’s now.

Are there faux tales?

It is arduous to catch the creators red-handed and accuse them of outright mendacity. There’s quite a bit 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 progress, 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 successful automobile” – however for the primary few races, it is nearly 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 though Norris gained by a snug margin, the present tries to make you imagine that Verstappen was respiratory down his neck all the way in which to the end line.

And naturally, there’s loads of awkwardness with the drivers and staff bosses off the observe – the place they’re grilled by mates or relations with some painfully banal questions. We get Susie Wolff asking her husband who may 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 a complete 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 one of the best 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 gives sufficient drama to maintain issues fascinating, and Verstappen’s contribution – albeit transient – can be first rate, 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 staff orders scenario is instructed, with Norris admitting to a pal that he “at first wasn’t going to let” his team-mate Oscar Piastri by in Hungary.

Netflix can 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 report private video diaries through 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 massive storylines, so in contrast to 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 probably the most melodramatic within the historical past of Drive to Survive – it may nearly 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 nearly tries to indicate 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 proven fact that Ocon truly delivered the staff’s finest results of the season.

Is it enjoyable to observe?

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

Drive to Survive Season 7

Picture by: Netflix

It additionally does a strong job of displaying F1 individuals outdoors the paddock. You get to see Leclerc procuring – 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 probably the most utilized in the whole collection, 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 value watching?

There is no manner it is going to please everybody. Hardcore F1 followers will inevitably roll their eyes at sure scenes and dialogue. There is no point out of flexi-wings or McLaren’s mini-DRS, and among the strategic battles are oversimplified.

Oh, and there is Norris within the ultimate laps of Abu Dhabi, respiratory like he is about to go 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 go the time whereas ready for the brand new F1 season to start out.

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