Formula One Drivers Criticize Creative License in Drive to Survive Season 7

In the lead-up to the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, McLaren‘s Oscar Piastri and Mercedes driver George Russell have expressed reservations about the latest season of Netflix’s popular sports docuseries, Drive to Survive. The seventh season was released on March 7 and has faced criticism for its creative liberties and editing techniques.

Drivers Voice Concerns over Accuracy in Portrayal

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Piastri stated that he hasn’t watched the new season yet, but feels he has a good understanding of the events depicted. He expressed concerns about the show’s editing, stating, “Obviously there’s a lot of things in Drive to Survive that, you know, you never quite know how it’s been cut up.”

Russell echoed similar sentiments, confirming he has yet to watch the entire season. Addressing an episode that portrays him struggling through the aftermath of the Singapore Grand Prix conditions, Russell explained, “No, I’ve got to be honest, I’ve not seen the episode in full. I did hear and was fed back that it was like two extremes from the first half to the last half.”

Both drivers emphasized their focus on performance and teamwork rather than their portrayal in the series. Russell stated, “I care how I perform in the car and how I work with my team, to be honest. So, there’s always an agenda for the best storyline possible, and that’s just the way the world is with these entertainment programs.”

Piastri added, “I didn’t even notice they were there. I’m just sort of so used to it now that they’re here, there and everywhere. Singapore was an exceptionally tough race for me last year. We’ve made some changes to try and make dealing with the heat better on the personal side but also from the cockpit side with the suppliers now working with Adidas – a huge help in that regard.”