Backing Max Verstappen, Ex-Ferrari Boss Slams “Ridiculous” Netflix’s ‘Drive to Survive’ for Turning F1 Into Reality Show

No one can deny the impact Netflix’s Drive to Survive has had on Formula 1. Ever since the series debut, the sport’s popularity has sky-rocketed and brought millions of new fans to the sport. However, it hasn’t had the same impact on the entities within the sport or fans who’ve been religiously following F1 for ages now. In fact, drivers like Max Verstappen have openly boycotted and ridiculed the show. Now, we have the veteran expert and ex-Ferrari boss having his say in the matter.

The Red Bull man was against the show and boycotted it for years because DTS creators took extreme creative liberties and portrayed some scenarios far from the truth to entice the fans. Peter Windsor‘s criticism stems from a different angle. He believes the show only highlights the internal politics and drama around the paddocks when it should be highlighting the DNA of the sport. He expressed his excitement for the new season dropping on 23rd February on Netflix.

When asked how excited Windsor is on a scale of 1-10 for the new season of DTS, he said, “Well, I don’t subscribe to Netflix. You’re not offering me 0 to 10 so it was something below 1, I have to say. Because I’m not sure it’s a great thing for nature to sustain it with gossip and or stuff that’s to do with materialism and glamor.” 

He then explained how he would like DTS to showcase the core of the sport which is the technology and the complex nature of every car. He explained how instead of focusing on these advanced technologies, the show focuses on the internal political drama. “Not all this ridiculous glamor and stuff because you get that from a million other programs you go and watch all those reality shows,” he concluded.

Read More: Max Verstappen Promises Netflix Drive to Survive Appearance on One Exclusive Condition

Now this is an important criticism of the show because the majority of the new fans started watching to enjoy the drama and competition. However, they haven’t seen any competing in the past two seasons, which has resulted in an outcry from said fans.

Sadly, the over-dramatization only exists on the screen and not beyond it. This is exactly why the drivers are with Max Verstappen on his assessment of the show.

Carlos Sainz backs Max Verstappen in his harsh assessment of DTS

The Ferrari man has joined team Verstappen when it comes to his battle with DTS because not everyone is as nonchalant as Fernando Alonso. The show is slowly and gradually testing every driver’s patience by portraying some bizarre scenarios to the fans. This is exactly why even Carlos Sainz has turned against the show, siding with Verstappen.

He said, “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.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Drive to Survive’s success becomes inspiration for F1 TV drama with Star Wars actress as the lead

It’s fun to watch and talk about, but if it’s portraying false information, that can be a little dangerous. Perhaps the show creators can take some ideas from Windsor’s criticism.