Carlos Sainz Echoes Max Verstappen on Netflix’s ‘Drive to Survive’ Only to Flip Later

In the quest to capture the American audience, Lewis Hamilton‘s words from 2012 resonate: “Once you hear it and see it, feel the noise, then maybe [Americans] will turn out for a race.” Fast forward to 2023, and Formula 1 has indeed found its way into the hearts of Americans. However, it wasn’t entirely through the visceral experience of an F1 weekend but mostly through the captivating lens of reality television. Netflix’s Drive to Survive has become a game-changer, offering fans a backstage pass to the intricate dynamics of the sport. And now, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz is sharing his take on the documentary series.

What sets Drive to Survive apart is its humanizing portrayal of F1 personalities. Beyond the technicalities of the sport, the series provides insights into the backgrounds, goals, failures, and even the leisure activities of the drivers. This human touch has bridged the gap between the perceived technical detachment of F1 and a more relatable image for the athletes.

Carlos Sainz sees the good DTS has done for F1 despite its overly dramatic storylines

The impact of Drive To Survive is evident with a significant surge in the younger audience for the sport within the 16 to 35 age bracket. Notably, new sponsors like Google, Coca-Cola, and Oracle have joined the F1 sponsorship roster thanks to the series. However, not everyone in the paddock appreciates the dramatic twists and often sensationalized storylines depicted in Drive to Survive. Max Verstappen has been vocal about his reservations. In a bold move, he rejected participating in Netflix’s interviews during the 2021 season, expressing his disdain for the show’s portrayal of Formula 1. However, he later spoke to the production team and agreed to be featured in the following seasons.

Adding to the conversation, Ferrari‘s Carlos Sainz recently shared his perspective on Drive to Survive during an interview with Santander Private Banking. When asked about the show’s realism, the Spaniard initially echoed Max Verstappen’s sentiments. He described it as more dramatic and fake than a realistic portrayal of the sport. However, in an unexpected turn, Sainz flipped his stance.

“Well, it’s a bit of both. It’s real,” said Carlos. “You probably know with Lando [Norris], I have a very good relationship with Charles [Leclerc], and Checo Perez. I get on very well with them. There’s a good relationship. And then, what Netflix seeks for those episodes every season is drama, to turn things into a Hollywood movie, so to speak, an important thing, something that’s happened and adds drama to the situation.” But according to Carlos Sainz, while Drive to Survive exaggerates, it has done wonders for Formula 1.

“Netflix exaggerates things, but it’s based on what happens within Formula 1. But it’s doing us a world of good because we’ve got a huge amount of new followers. Young people, children, boys, and girls are delighted now with Formula 1. They’re following us everywhere. It’s a very young audience that we didn’t have before,” the Spaniard concluded.

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With the monumental success of the documentary series Drive To Survive, Netflix is now venturing into uncharted territory in collaboration with Formula 1.

Enter The Netflix Cup: A marriage between Formula 1 and Golf

Expanding its sports entertainment horizons, Netflix has embarked on a unique project that melds two seemingly disparate worlds: Formula 1 and golf. Termed The Netflix Cup, this fusion of high-speed racing and leisurely golf was put to the test before the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The decision to combine Formula 1 and golf might raise eyebrows, but it’s not without reason. Netflix recognizes the tremendous influence wielded by both F1 and golf and aims to explore new avenues for sports entertainment.

The tournament featured exciting pairings, with drivers like Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly, and Alex Albon teaming up with PGA Tour golfers such as Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas. The format of The Netflix Cup involved a team scramble, where each player on a team took turns hitting shots, and the team with the fewest shots per hole emerged victorious.

After an intense competition, Carlos Sainz and Justin Thomas emerged as the champions, securing the title of the first-ever Netflix Cup. Sainz, known for his cool demeanor on the racetrack, praised his golf partner, saying, “Cool as ice. We are the first-ever Netflix Cup winners, so it deserves… yeah, we’ll go out [tonight],” while Justin Thomas highlighted the key moments of their victory, stating, “I was glad to finally help my partner out.“

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What are your thoughts on Drive To Survive? Do you think it tries to make its storylines overly sensational, or does it do justice to the sport? Let us know your insights in the comments.