It’s almost time for the start of the 2024 F1 season and with that comes the sixth season of Drive To Survive. The Netflix series that tells the behind the scenes of each team. Drivers and team principals who confess in front of the cameras. Something that is rare to see during races. There are insights into various dynamics and even some over-dramatized stories. Here are some of the dynamics that were the focus of this sixth season:
Nyck de Vries, a star burned in record time
Among the first episodes of Drive to Survive, the arrival of Nyck de Vries in AlphaTauri is told. There was great expectation from everyone. As Christian Horner points out, AlphaTauri’s purpose is to train talent for Red Bull. But if they don’t demonstrate the right potential, they are rejected. Behind the cameras, Nyck voices his thoughts, he knows he has to prove that he is capable and deserves that seat. Unfortunately the Jeddah race did not go well, proving to be inefficient. What no one expected, was to see Yuki Tsunoda consistently beat Nyck from the first race. Everyone expected that Nyck would be the first driver, the one who would lead the team and who would also bring some points. But the opposite happened.
Being a F1 driver is not easy, you are constantly under pressure, especially if you don’t show results. And this pressure crushed Nyck de Vries. A driver in difficulty who should have been given more time. But as we know, Red Bull has no patience, no mercy and no time to waste. And it is precisely here that Nyck is discarded, a bit like a useless toy and replaced by Daniel Ricciardo.
A McLaren under pressure
The news for McLaren was having a new driver, Oscar Piastri. A driver who has repeatedly demonstrated that he has the right qualities to deserve a place in the world of Formula One. But when the car doesn’t meet the team’s expectations, there’s little the drivers can do well. The team has two very strong drivers, and not just because they are excellent, but because they work as a team. But since the first race in Bahrain, the car has not shown its true potential. Thus ending the first race in the worst way and disappointing the team.
As is highlighted in this episode, the team principal must demonstrate to his two drivers that he has a competitive car. And this is important so as not to make them lose confidence. Especially for two ambitious drivers like Lando and Oscar who aim for the maximum. Between slow pit stops and a car retirement, that was the worst start to the season for them. And so here begins the political and social pressure, that classic pressure that doesn’t let you breathe. Because you absolutely have to try to understand what problem the car has. And sponsors want answers as quickly as possible. Despite this, it is still underlined how the team has recovered after a truly horrible start to the season.
Ocon vs Gasly
In one of these episodes of Drive to Survive, the ongoing rivalry between Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly is highlighted. A rivalry that has been there since they were kids. And now that they both find themselves on the same team they must try to put this hostility aside for the good of the team. But when two teammates target each other, without focusing on the opponents, they end up damaging the team. And in this episode the clash on the track that occurred between the two in Australia was highlighted.
A clash that cost the Alpine team a double retirement. In a team, seeing a double retirement is something truly demoralizing. Especially if it is dictated by tension between the two drivers. And all of this has costs. It’s a loss for the team in terms of points but also money, because repairing two very damaged cars costs money. Behind the cameras, Gasly said that there will always be that sense of rivalry between the two. A rivalry that, however, must be calmed down for the good of the team.
Lewis Hamilton and the difficult decision
For a seven-time world champion, still hungry for victory, it is difficult to accept defeat. It is something that he cannot and does not want to accept. Complications come when you have a machine that doesn’t help. A car with many problems, the same as the last two years. A driver, especially of a certain level, understands when something is wrong. And this is where an important part comes into play. It’s called teamwork.
As he declared in front of the cameras in this episode, he was not listened to by the team several times. He knew and felt what the problems were, but he was always dismissed with “we know how to do our job”. Added to these problems is also the contract to be renewed. And here Toto’s fear was underlined. That fear of not being able to give Hamilton a competitive car and still keep him in the team. That pressure of trying to convince him that that project could actually work.
A (new) Ferrari
In this episode, the rebirth of the Ferrari team is told. Especially with the arrival of Fred Vasseur. A year of great changes which will hopefully be useful in bringing back a team now on the brink of the abyss. Ferrari is defined as a religion for Italians, a passion but above all a story. The most successful team in the world of F1. And there is nothing more true. Behind the cameras, Vasseur talks about the pressure from the press and the media that he feels. Leading a team like Ferrari is not at all easy. And this will also be a new challenge for him to face. Being able to manage the media, the press, a team that hasn’t seen victories for a long time.
In addition to this, the unforgettable battle in Monza, between Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, is remembered. A battle to the limit to try to win the podium. But for a team currently in total decline, certain internal battles cannot happen. Due to this, fans’ disappointment is shown in seeing a fight between the two teammates. And it is precisely here that this lack of empowerment is highlighted. Because as not shown a teamwork, but a team that fought among themselves. And certain things, in a critical moment like this, you can’t afford.
Why is Drive to Survive so successful?
This Netflix series offers viewers something that cannot be had and above all seen on the track. They show the discussions, the dramas, the pilots who confess behind the cameras. It’s like having direct contact with that reality. Formula One is told in a fictionalized way, Shakespearean style, with that drama that fascinates and keeps viewers glued to the TV. Recent statistics have in fact shown how this series has made more and more people passionate about Formula One. What Drive to Survive managed to do was to humanize the drivers. The cameras take us inside their private lives, the pilots open up face to face, showing their weaknesses and worries. And that’s what really brought success. Something that could never have happened until many years ago.
Despite the various over-dramatized stories, Max Verstappen’s dominance is not highlighted this season. Therefore, shifting attention to other dramas within the various teams. Among these, the one that stood out most was the story of Nyck de Vries and his decline. Or even the arrival of Liam Lawson and his unexpected performance on the track. Currently, they are already working on the seventh season. And there they will have many things to tell. Just think of Lewis’ highly anticipated announcement at Ferrari.
