Season five of Formula 1: Drive to Survive drops on Netflix on Friday, and we've gotten early access to the first eight episodes to give you our review of the latest installment of the thrilling series.
Netfix's Formula 1 docuseries, Drive to Survive, has undoubtedly had many a positive impact on the sport's worldwide presence. It has led to a boom of interest, particularly Stateside, while some ex-drivers have commented that the series has done wonders for the image of otherwise "boring" drivers.
Nonetheless, the series has had its detractors over the years. Since debuting in 2019, it has faced criticism for overdramatising certain elements of the sport, manipulating narratives to suggest tension that fans know is lacking between certain drivers, and create contentious storylines.
Some of these issues were egregious enough to see Red Bull star Max Verstappen refuse to participate in season four of the series - a big loss, as he would go on to win the 2021 title in dramatic circumstances.
But, for season five, the producers promised a change in approach, and that was enough to entice Verstappen back into the mix. And, having been granted early access to season five, we're delighted to reveal that the series' subtle changes in approach have brought huge improvements to the latest season of Drive to Survive.
Drive to Survive review: Season five brings positive improvements
The most important improvement to Drive to Survive in season five is that the action and behind-the-scenes clips feel more genuine - and, for the most part, they are.
The newest season makes minimal effort to construct narratives within the season - for the most part, the producers follow the natural ebbs and flows of the 2022 F1 season, with most of the biggest storylines dealt with in a genuine manner.
One particular highlight, which shows how the storytelling within Drive to Survive has improved, is episode four (titled "Matter of Principal"), which follows Ferrari through two race weekends - the Miami and Silverstone Grands Prix. Both were defining moments of the season, which showed both the best of Ferrari and their two drivers, and also the failings which kept them from pushing Red Bull to the limit for the 2022 title.
It's a new dawn for F1: Drive To Survive.
Season 5. 24 Feb. Only on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/TmIWLHA0hh— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) February 16, 2023
The episode's deconstruction of the Silverstone weekend is a particularly riveting watch, and shows the change in approach that was promised for season five. The tension between Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz across the weekend is depicted in a raw and authentic manner, without any unnecessary additions or amplificaation of their rivalry.
Their mutual desire to be the #1 in the team is presented clear as day, and the strain on the team - and in particular team prinicpal Mattia Binotto - is also a gripping watch. Sainz was previously the focus of a 'Netflix rivalry,' when the series insinuated he and close friend Lando Norris were at loggerheads. There are no such stretches here, and the drivers are shown authentically as being able to share positive moments off track while ruthlessly fighting each other on it.
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto with driver Charles Leclerc in 'Drive to Survive' (Photo: Netflix)
Similarly, episode two ("Bounce Back") is an enthralling watch, as a fly-on-the-wall at Mercedes during their early season woes. The toll taken on Lewis Hamilton is laid bare, with particular attention given to his painful Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend. The desire of all within the team to get back to the top is evident, and fans are left to make up their own mind as to whether to feel sympathy for the team or not.
There are some weak elements to the season, one of which comes within "Bounce Back," when Red Bull team principal Christian Horner questions whether a row between team principals is being staged by some of his competitors to create drama for the Netflix cameras. (This interjection is particularly hilarious because Horner is almost certainly the most egregiously guilty of playing up to the cameras throughout season five)
There is a sense, at times, that the players of the piece themselves are indeed playing up to the cameras but, for the most part, the interactions on camera feel real - if a tad melodramatic.
Another issue comes with the depiction of Zhou Guanyu's horrifying accident at the British Grand Prix. Luckily, Zhou emerged unscathed after his car flipped and cleared the barrier to land upside down against the trackside catch fencing at the race start, and the series approaches the crash in a somewhat melodramatic way, manipulating the emotion of the moment to ramp up the tension. Perhaps, given the lengthy delay in real life before confirmation emerged that Zhou was okay, this can be excused.
The only instance in which the real-life facts are somewhat misrepresented (in the first eight episodes) is in episode seven, when Sergio Perez's pole position at Jeddah and second place at Melbourne are skimmed over in favour of focusing on his misfortune in the race at Jeddah, and his poor start in Australia.
Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo, and Sergio Perez in Drive to Survive (Photo: Netflix)
And, from our viewing of the first eight episodes, there's not much else to criticise. The usual bugbears will be there for fans who avidly followed the 2022 season. Some race footage doesn't line up with the audio used, occasionally commentary clips don't seem to match exactly what's being scene on screen, and the repetition of certain incidents may frustrate some viewers.
But another strength of season five is the improvement in the way in which races are put on screen. It feels as though more screen-time is given to actual race footage in season five than in any prior season, and they are told in a true-to-life, linear fashion that will satisfy avid fans while giving gripping action to new viewers. Even during the aforementioned scene depicting Zhou's crash, new camera angles and unseen footage will have fans on the edge of their seats.
The old favourites are back in force, and the likes of Gunther Steiner and Daniel Ricciardo are given more layered material to work with in season five. Fans will also be happy to know that, unlike some previous seasons, the biggest storylines have (nearly) all been handled, with the highlight being a two-episode mid-season arc which gives every inside detail on the fallout surrounding Oscar Piastri's move to McLaren.
Haas team principal Gunther Steiner and Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto in 'Drive to Survive' (Photo: Netflix)
It is also not only the big teams who get the spotlight in this season - the financial cost to Haas of Mick Schumacher's misfortune early in the season is an intriguing storyline, and gives weight to the conflicting decision as to whether to keep Schumacher at the team.
We were only given access to the first eight of the ten episodes of this season, but the balance of storylines from the front of the grid down to those fighting at the back feels pretty spot on from those, with the final two episodes set to laser in on the "big three" of Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes.
Drive to Survive has brought many new fans to F1, while at times frustrating long-term viewers and fans. It feels as though, with season five, the producers have finally hit that sweet spot. There's new information, genuine revelations, and much to be gained, even for people who followed the season from start to finish, while those looking to be swept up by the 'Netflix hype train' will also no doubt be hooked.
There is something for everyone in what feels not only like a return to form for Drive to Survive after a dip in season four, but perhaps the series' best outing yet.
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