Drive to Survive 8 is a McLaren show, but Netflix turns the Norris-Piastri rivalry into a sugar-coated fairy tale
Drive to Survive season 8 plays it safe and misses the chance to dive deeper into the real dynamics on and off the track, turning the 2025 Formula 1 season into a polished fairy tale with no true winners or villains.
Even Formula 1: Drive to Survive seems to be facing a creative “crisis” after its seventh year. Season 8 of the Netflix docuseries feels like a sanitized retelling of a rivalry, built around the classic division between heroes and villains, rather than a raw and unfiltered look at the F1 paddock.
Available on the streaming platform since February 27, Drive to Survive 8 chronicles the 2025 F1 World Championship. The behind-the-scenes story begins with the spectacular event staged in London last year to celebrate 75 years of Formula 1 and runs all the way to Abu Dhabi, where the drivers’ title was ultimately decided.
As always, Netflix cameras follow Formula 1’s main characters both on and off the track. Yet this season they rarely feel decisive in shaping the narrative. On the contrary, the streamer often seems content to remain a mere “spectator” in certain situations, almost reluctant to dig deeper into controversial or uncomfortable storylines.
Drive to Survive 8: the McLaren show
The eighth season is, above all, a McLaren showcase. Zak Brown emerges as the undisputed star, a ruler-jester presiding over his empire without openly favoring one subject over another. It is clear that Netflix has found in him a new central figure following the departure of Guenther Steiner, who had become a fan favorite, especially among the American audience.
The battle between the “papaya boys” exists, but largely on paper. Key flashpoints are notably absent, such as the controversial position swap in Monza and the tense episodes in Baku, Singapore and Austin. Into the title fight steps Max Verstappen, once again portrayed as one of the story’s antagonists. Alongside him stands Flavio Briatore, who opens the doors of his lavish residence to Netflix, allowing viewers to glimpse his ruthless business world, where if you do not perform, you are out.
Drive to Survive 8 misses the mark again with Horner
Season 8 also addresses the behind-the-scenes turmoil at Red Bull, but without truly dissecting it. Christian Horner’s dismissal is not handled with the depth many expected, and Netflix appears to frame him almost as a victim of the system. Even rivalries between team principals are softened: Toto Wolff is shown sending emotional messages to Horner after his exit. Furthermore, there is no meaningful exploration of tensions between various teammates throughout the grid.
There is significant screen time dedicated to Kimi Antonelli, while other rookies are somewhat sidelined. Netflix also devotes an episode to Carlos Sainz and his struggles at Williams. Ferrari, meanwhile, plays the role of a dark horse in the background. What is missing is deeper introspection into Lewis Hamilton and the challenges he faced during his first season in red.
In the end, Drive to Survive once again fulfills its primary mission: delivering a glamorous and adrenaline-filled portrayal of Formula 1, a sport that has now firmly established its popularity across the Atlantic. Yet for long-time fans hoping for sharper insight into the true political and sporting battles of the 2025 F1 season, season 8 may feel like a missed opportunity.
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