Providing behind-the-scenes access to one of the world’s most restricted championships has done wonders for F1’s surge in popularity and expanding demographics. That’s why the documentary produced by Box to Box Films continued into six seasons, half of which we watched. Early access to.
Once again, each of the 10 episodes is built around one of the major narrative elements of the 2023 season. Max Verstappen’s Red Bull won all but one race, forcing manufacturers to look elsewhere for thrills and place greater emphasis on off-track drama.
And maybe that’s the case as well, as Drive to Survive remains somewhat jarring when it comes to on-orbit storytelling. It falls into the old vice of overlaying action footage with out-of-context sound bites and pit wall reactions, which didn’t seem to be as prevalent in season five.
It’s a bit of nonsense that the race engineer sounds like he’s listening to the drivers racing down Turn 1 at the start, but die-hard F1 fans should take a deep breath here and remember who this show is aimed at. want. First and foremost.
Instead, where DTS really shines for experienced motorsport enthusiasts (which you probably are, if you’re reading this) is by offering fresh, fly-on-the-wall footage. And season 6 is no exception.
Ousted Haas team boss Günther Steiner will remain the main character in DTS season 6
Photo credit: Netflix
The third episode, which revolves around McLaren, is delicious as Red Bull’s Christian Horner wants to twist the knife as Zac Brown’s team misfires, adding further insult to injury by openly courting Lando Norris. It is particularly notable for its sarcasm.
We got a tidbit of information as McLaren’s blue-chip sponsor anxiously asked Brawn what was going on. This is followed by a well-crafted part of the team’s mid-season resurgence as Norris finishes second at home at Silverstone. While Brown does all the heavy lifting in front of the camera, team boss Andrea Stella, who turned the ship around, is strangely barely mentioned, but perhaps they both like it better that way. right.
DTS never skimps on fan service, and Season 6 continues that trend. Unlikely Netflix star Gunther Steiner is regaining his charisma as Haas’s struggles have been well documented. Watching a young female F1 fan fawn over meeting this foul-mouthed Italian at her book signing feels surreal and meta. Drive to Survive has come full circle and enjoyed the popularity of the self-made man.
Given that Steiner was subsequently replaced by Haas, this may have been his last hurray on the show. But Netflix has already had a year of him worthy of a Hollywood script, boosted by another fan favorite, Daniel Ricardo.
He will appear in his first episode alongside the struggling Nic de Vries, but Box to Box Films will be playing in Australia’s Silverstone Test, with Red Bull offering him a second stint at AlphaTauri in place of the Dutchman. He deserves a lot of credit for convincing him to give him a second chance. A series of events and meetings that we have access to in a truncated form, including Ricciardo’s first reaction to the news of his return to the game.
Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 return is a major storyline in DTS season 6
Photo credit: Netflix
Ricardo then returns in the second episode regarding his broken wrist in Zandvoort, with Liam Lawson appearing as a temporary replacement.
In the second half of the series, bigwigs Ferrari and McLaren also play important roles, which we haven’t had access to yet, but the award for best drama goes to the implosion of the Alpine. The long-standing rivalry between Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly is the focus of episode five, but its title, “Civil War,” would have been a better fit for the events surrounding the departures of Laurent Rossi and Otmar Szafnauer. (Unseen) An episode dominated by the Alps.
Netflix pretty much sticks to its tried-and-true formula, so even if you weren’t a fan before, watching this season isn’t going to change your opinion. But if you’re just here for the backstage popcorn feed and can mind the weird decorations, enjoy the ride.
All 10 episodes of Drive to Survive Season 6 will be available on Netflix starting Friday, February 23rd.