Mar.2 (GMM) Three of Formula 1’s biggest names – Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso – declined to sit down for dedicated interviews in the new season of Netflix’s Drive to Survive, reports reveal.
All three world champions appear only via previously recorded press conference or broadcast footage, with no exclusive one-on-one segments filmed for the eighth season.
Verstappen has long been a vocal critic of the series, accusing producers in the past of manufacturing rivalries and taking comments out of context. He has repeatedly refused full participation, arguing the show “fakes” drama.
Although Hamilton has embraced media projects elsewhere – including playing a key role in the official Formula 1 feature film – he also did not record a specific Netflix interview about his difficult first season at Ferrari.
Alonso likewise opted out of fresh filming.
According to industry data, 43 percent of F1’s current fanbase is now under 35 – a sharp rise since 2018 – while women account for roughly 35-40 percent of the global audience. The championship is approaching one billion fans worldwide.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali defended the show’s narrative style when asked about criticism that it resembles “Game of Thrones” storytelling.
“There is an overall coordination of the narrative,” he admitted to Corriere della Sera newspaper. “But the job of a good director is to bring out the best in each actor by working on their original qualities. They are sincere. Modern drivers know they must build a relationship with the public.”
However, some observers argue the formula may be wearing thin.
Spanish columnist Natalia Tautiva wrote that the series has drifted from documentary toward entertainment, prioritising drama over sporting substance. While still the platform’s most-watched sports documentary – drawing over 10 million views for its latest season – viewership reportedly dipped around 10 percent year-on-year.
“The show fulfills its basic purpose,” Tautiva wrote in El Mundo Deportivo. “To get clicks and views. But it’s a series that’s no longer what it used to be. It feels like it’s strayed from its original concept.”
Inside the paddock, participation appears increasingly selective.
Haas rookie Oliver Bearman revealed he spent “three or four days” filming with the crew – only to discover none of the footage made the final cut.
“It went straight in the bin,” he joked.
Former Haas boss Guenther Steiner, once the show’s breakout star, has now effectively been replaced in the drama stakes by Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore. In one scene, Briatore bluntly told Franco Colapinto: “I don’t give a s**t. I decide what I’m doing. You are the problem.”
Join Grand Prix Tours in Austin, Texas for the high-energy 2026 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Experience nonstop action on one of Formula 1’s most exciting tracks, featuring dramatic elevation changes, thrilling overtakes, and a packed race weekend. Off the track, enjoy a festival atmosphere with live music, world-famous BBQ, and buzzing nightlife. Your Grand Prix Tours package includes a fully curated race weekend, highlighted by exclusive access to our private F1 Celebrity Talk Show, where guests gain insider insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives. With demand soaring and this event quickly becoming a modern American racing tradition, now is the time to secure your spot for an unforgettable Austin Grand Prix experience.
SHOW PACKAGES
There are motorsport events, and then there is the Indianapolis 500, the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Next year marks Grand Prix Tours' 42nd Indianapolis 500 tour and our decades of experience and local connections provide exclusive access that few fans ever enjoy, including police escorts on race day, a Dallara IndyCar Factory tour, Gasoline Alley and Legends Day, the Driver Introduction Ceremony, and a private dinner with former Indy driver Derek Daly. Combined with excellent hotel accommodations, seamless event planning, and Grand Prix Tours' signature service, this is far more than a race weekend; it's a once-in-a-lifetime motorsport experience. With tour spaces limited each year, we encourage you to reserve your place early for the 111th Indianapolis 500.
SHOW PACKAGES
Experience Formula 1 at its most iconic with an unforgettable trip to the 2027 Grand Prix de Monaco. Feel the excitement as the world’s best drivers race through the legendary streets of Monte Carlo, surrounded by superyachts, Mediterranean views, and the unmistakable glamour of Monaco. From incredible race viewing to carefully selected accommodations, Grand Prix Tours brings you closer to the action at one of the most prestigious and spectacular events in all of motorsport.
SHOW PACKAGES
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the ultimate test of speed, strategy, and endurance. Watch the world's top manufacturers battle for 24 nonstop hours in one of motorsport's most prestigious events. With Grand Prix Tours handling your accommodations, transfers, and ticket options, all that's left is to experience this unforgettable bucket-list race.
SHOW PACKAGES
Feel the roar of Formula 1 at its spiritual home. Silverstone is one of the fastest and most demanding circuits in the world, where brave overtakes, lightning-fast direction changes, and flat-out commitment separate the best from the rest. Combined with the electric atmosphere created by hundreds of thousands of passionate fans, the British Grand Prix delivers a race weekend unlike any other.
SHOW PACKAGES