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Netflix’s Drive to Survive is back with its seventh season, chronicling the drama, intrigue, and cutthroat competition of the 2024 Formula 1 season. Following a somewhat lackluster Season 6, which struggled to find compelling narratives amid Red Bull and Max Verstappen’s dominance, Season 7 benefits from a more chaotic and competitive year in F1. With a perfect blend of on-track battles, off-track scandals, and strategic mind games, this season delivers a thrilling narrative that will keep both casual fans and hardcore motorsport enthusiasts hooked.
Red Bull’s Tumultuous Year: The Horner Controversy and a Rising Challenger
One of the biggest off-track controversies to shake F1 in 2024 was the scandal surrounding Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. Allegations of inappropriate behavior surfaced, causing an internal crisis within the team. While the series does cover this scandal, Red Bull remains tight-lipped about the details, with Horner offering little more than a stoic, carefully curated response. His wife, Geri Halliwell, plays the role of the supportive spouse, but the true scale of the crisis remains largely unexplored.
While Red Bull dealt with off-track turmoil, their on-track dominance also faced unprecedented challenges. The seemingly invincible team found itself under pressure from a surging McLaren, led by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The series highlights Norris’s struggles in the early races, as he battled the stigma of being “No Wins Norris.” However, his breakthrough victory in Miami was a turning point—albeit one downplayed by Horner, who dismissed it as a lucky break.
But just as Norris started to hit his stride, a new intra-team rivalry began brewing. The young and aggressive Oscar Piastri was no longer content with playing second fiddle, and the tension between the two McLaren drivers became a focal point, culminating in a heated team orders controversy in Budapest. Drive to Survive captures the tension with behind-the-scenes footage of Norris’s frustration and Piastri’s quiet but relentless ambition.
Mercedes’ Search for a Successor: Russell’s Leadership and Antonelli’s Rise
Another major storyline revolves around Mercedes’ search for Lewis Hamilton’s replacement after the seven-time world champion announced his move to Ferrari for 2025. Toto Wolff’s attempts to woo Max Verstappen were met with rejection, leaving George Russell to prove himself as the undisputed team leader. The series revisits Russell’s performance across the season, highlighting both his triumphs and moments of misfortune. His retirement at Silverstone is framed as a heartbreaking missed opportunity, though the episode conveniently omits the technical reasons behind it.
The most touching moment comes when 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli is announced as Hamilton’s successor. His emotional reaction, captured alongside his parents, provides a rare, heartfelt moment in a series often dominated by cutthroat politics.
Carlos Sainz’s Career Crossroads: Flavio Briatore Enters the Scene
One of the most captivating subplots of Drive to Survive Season 7 is Carlos Sainz’s uncertain future. With Ferrari opting for Hamilton in 2025, Sainz was left searching for a new team. The series leans into the drama of his negotiations, featuring a surprising cameo from Flavio Briatore, the controversial former Renault boss who now manages Alpine. Briatore’s entrance is straight out of a Bond villain playbook, and his presence alone adds a layer of theatricality to the proceedings.
Initially, it seemed that Sainz was set to join Williams, led by the analytical and methodical James Vowles. However, Alpine made a last-minute attempt to lure him, causing delays in Sainz’s decision-making. Ultimately, the series captures the tense negotiations and final confirmation that Sainz would indeed be racing for Williams in 2025.
The Curse of Leclerc: A Standout Episode
Perhaps the highlight of the season is the episode titled Le Curse of Leclerc. Charles Leclerc’s long-standing misfortune in his home race, the Monaco Grand Prix, has been a recurring theme in his career. The episode follows Leclerc’s emotional journey leading up to the race, offering a rare, intimate look at his life in Monte Carlo. The combination of personal moments, like Leclerc playing piano in his hotel room, and the sheer joy of his long-awaited victory make this episode one of the best in Drive to Survive history.
Narrative Strength vs. Netflix’s Creative Liberties
While Season 7 offers a strong narrative arc, Drive to Survive continues to take creative liberties with the storytelling. The Miami Grand Prix episode, for example, exaggerates the closeness of Verstappen’s pursuit of Norris, using misleading footage to imply a more dramatic chase than what actually transpired. Similarly, George Russell’s Spa victory is showcased as a moment of redemption, yet the crucial detail of his later disqualification is left unmentioned.
These embellishments, while minor in the grand scheme, highlight Netflix’s ongoing struggle with balancing entertainment and factual accuracy. For die-hard F1 fans, these inconsistencies may be frustrating, but for the show’s broader audience, they likely go unnoticed.
Final Verdict: A Resurgence for Drive to Survive
After a weaker Season 6, Drive to Survive Season 7 marks a return to form. The 2024 season provided an abundance of dramatic storylines, from Red Bull’s internal turmoil to the rise of McLaren, the uncertainty around Mercedes, and Sainz’s career-defining decisions.
The inclusion of new characters like Flavio Briatore and Kimi Antonelli adds freshness to the series, while standout episodes like Le Curse of Leclerc demonstrate that the show is still capable of delivering emotionally compelling storytelling. However, Netflix still struggles with its tendency to manipulate race narratives, a flaw that remains a sticking point for purists.
Overall, Season 7 is one of the strongest entries in the series yet, proving that Drive to Survive still has plenty of fuel left in the tank.
