Pierre Gasly
Pierre Gasly has become the latest F1 driver joining Max Verstappen and Lando Norris to hit out at the web-series. Gasly has stated that the content is far from reality and facts have been distorted to make the show more spicy. ‘Drive to Survive’ is an exclusive Netflix web series which depicts life in Formula 1.
The show was first released in 2019 and is currently in its fourth season. The latest season of the series premiered this month on Netflix. This season it covers the title race for the championship between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
Speaking to the media, Gasly said, “You can clearly see that some of the scenes are kind of made up for the show. It’s difficult to speak for the drivers (Hamilton and Verstappen), I’m not in their position. I don’t know how they (Netflix) get on with other guys. I think on our side with Yuki, which is what I can compare, it was kind of normal.”
The AlphaTauri driver further added, “But, obviously as a driver you don’t want to be portrayed differently than the person you are in reality. I think that’s the main thing we ask for. On my side I never had any issue, I never felt like they were kind of changing or adding more drama than we had. I think we had enough drama over the last three years. It didn’t need more.”
Max Verstappen had earlier voiced his opinion on the issue. He has already refused to take part in the next season of the show. Verstappen said, “I’m sure we will talk about it but at the moment I am not really interested to take part in it. It’s also taking more time when we are already doing so many things. I think it shouldn’t be like that. It’s better just to make a season review by F1 itself. But that’s just my opinion. I don’t like to be a part of it.”
McLaren driver Lando Norris was also critical of the show especially regarding the portrayal of his relationship with team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has stated that F1 officials will be holding talks to ensure that reality isn’t distorted again in the future. He said, “It’s a topic that we will address together with the drivers. We have to make sure that a project which has generated such exceptional traction has a language that continues to appeal but without distorting the image and meaning of the sport that we live with everyday.”
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