Top F1 drivers reportedly skip 'Drive to Survive' interviews
Several of Formula 1's top drivers, including Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, and Lewis Hamilton, have reportedly skipped interviews for the next season of Netflix's 'Drive to Survive'. Their absence will limit the show's exclusive access to the sport's biggest names.
Max Verstappen has been the show's most vocal critic for years, citing "faked rivalries" and misrepresentation. He previously refused to participate after producers used his quotes out of context and portrayed his relationship with Lando Norris as hostile, comparing the show's narrative style to "Keeping up with the Kardashians." The sentiment is shared by other drivers, including Lando Norris, who recently accused the series of "lying" and "fabricated nonsense." Norris pointed to the show's portrayal of his Miami Grand Prix win, where footage of an unhappy Verstappen was reportedly filmed at a different race entirely to create a more dramatic narrative. This driver pushback comes despite, or perhaps because of, the show's monumental success. Since its 2019 debut, 'Drive to Survive' has been credited with dramatically boosting F1's popularity, especially in the United States. U.S. race viewership has surged, with ESPN's media rights deal jumping from roughly $5 million to a reported $75-90 million annually. The series has been a key part of Liberty Media's strategy since acquiring F1 for $4.4 billion in 2017; by the mid-2020s, the sport's valuation was estimated to be over $15-20 billion. The show's storytelling converted casual viewers into fans, driving F1's social media engagement up 99% in 2020, more than any other major sport. Lewis Hamilton's reported absence may be for different reasons, as he is said to have signed a deal with Apple for a documentary about his life, potentially creating a conflict. This move suggests top athletes are increasingly seeking to control their own narratives through separate, dedicated media projects. Fernando Alonso, one of the most experienced drivers in the sport's history with over 400 Grand Prix appearances, has also had limited involvement in the series. His focus, along with Verstappen's and Hamilton's, on ventures outside the Netflix production highlights a growing divide between the sport's biggest stars and the show that helped fuel its global expansion.
