There is no shortage of amazing docuseries' on Netflix and one of them is Formula 1: Drive To Survive. A joint project between the streaming giant and Formula One, the docuseries places the camera on the drivers and high octane World Championship races. Through it, even casual fans get to understand the sport better.
Each season covers a different World Championship. Season 3—which covers the 2020 World Championship—premiered on Netflix on 19 March 2021. Initially intended to only cover the Red Bull racing team, the series now covers all participating teams. And so far, there have been some truly incredible episodes.
Great Expectations (8)
The title of Season 2's fifth episode is fitting. Red Bull are desperate to end the dominance of Mercedes and they have great expectations about newly promoted driver Pierre Gasly. However, he is constantly outshone by the team's star driver Max Verstappen, who is currently the closest challenger to 6-time champion Lewis Hamilton.
The episode's appeal comes from its exploration of the employee versus boss dynamic. Gasly's struggles and the pressure that Red Bull boss Horner puts on him reveal just how much heat a driver feels at the wheel. Viewers are reminded that the stakes are not just high for the men at the track alone, and the bosses are also justified in seeking good results. Poor performance means losing both money via sponsors and bragging rights.
Nobody's Fool (8.1)
Lewis Hamilton has been on top of the world for a long time and while the bosses at Mercedes are happy with that, Hamilton's teammate Valtteri Bottas doesn't feel the same way. He is tired of being referred to as the Englishman's wingman.
The importance of team work is questioned in this episode. Is it really necessary in Formula One? It's revealed the "wingman strategy" is actually used frequently by teams to secure victory. Bottas says been frequently asked to let Hamilton through on the final lap so that Mercedes would gain, as opposed to him having a rare victory that might deprive the team the title at the end of the season. The Finnish driver feels every man should be for himself in this sport and he might have a point.
The Art Of War (8.2)
The intense fourth episode of the series focuses on the ugly break-up between Red Bull and engine supplier Renault as well as Daniel Ricciardo's decision to quit the team. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner accuses Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul of providing faulty engines and Cyril doesn't take the accusations lightly.
Dialogue is key in great productions and the arguments between the two executives turns "The Art Of War" into streaming service gold. Fisticuffs almost become an option but the two executives reach the better decision—severing ties. Red Bull partners with Honda as the new engine supplier but there is another problem. Star driver Daniel Ricciardo is feeling disgruntled so he quits.
The Next Generation (8.2)
There are new kids on the block. Talented rookies Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly are being hailed as the future of the sport. Gasly is hired by Red Bull after Daniel Ricciardo's shock decision to quit while Leclerc is brought on board by Ferrari after Kimi Räikkönen's departure.
Intense training sessions are what make this episode appealing. "The Next Generation" is a reminder that moving fast on the track isn't down to miracles. A lot of practice goes on behind the scenes. The cameras never leave Leclerc and Gasly as they train for the Singapore Grand Prix, a race that is often regarded the toughest on the calendar. As new drivers in their respective teams, their anxiety is even greater.
Dark Days (8.3)
Even the best outfits go through dark times and such is the case with Mercedes here as they are chasing a sixth world championship. As Mercedes celebrate their 125th anniversary, Hamilton finishes below the top 10 after being penalized for a wrong move. His teammate Bottas also gets booted after he crashes with another driver while driving to the finish line.
It's mildly suggested here that Bottas has Lady Luck to blame for his woes rather than the team. Even with Hamilton out, fate still ruins a potential victory for him. Hamilton also channels the spirit of a champion. Despite having so many wins to his name, he still comes off as very angry about this single misstep.
Redemption (8.4)
Being the boss is not easy and in this episode, Williams Racing Team Deputy Principal Claire Williams begins wondering whether she is the right person for the job (Claire eventually sold the team). Her father founded the team but Claire isn't sure whether she is passionate about the sport anymore. At that time, the team has barely achieved any success.
A common practice in business is examined here—inheritance. Should children be hands-on the unique businesses they inherited from their parents or should they hire someone to do the work and simply wait for the earnings? Claire prefers to be hands-on but it doesn't quite work out.
Checkered Flag (8.4)
A lot goes on in the Season 2 finale. British-Thai driver Alex Albon is announced as a Red Bull acquisition prior to the Brazilian Grand Prix. Gasly has been booted from Red Bull and he's back at Toro Rosso. Surprisingly, he isn't facing the same struggles he faced at Red Bull. Gasly ends up taking his first ever Formula 1 podium but Lewis Hamilton is still crowned a six-time World Champion, thanks to his impressive showing all season.
Hamilton is the star of the episode and he carries it all through. Fans get to understand why he wins these titles so easily. He doesn't wait till the last minute to get things done, and he racks up victories early and quickly. As a result, the rare bad days don't end up putting a dent on his title hopes.
The Comeback Kid (8.5)
Gasly being booted from Red Bull turns out to be a blessing in disguise. He is on a roll here, despite having suffered a personal tragedy too. At the Italian Grand Prix, he becomes the first Frenchman to win a race since Olivier Panis who emerged victorious at the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix.
Gasly's redemption story is mostly what makes "The Comeback Kid" spectacular. Hamilton's 6th world championship is sweet but it feels familiar. Meanwhile, Gasly serves as a reminder that talented individuals need to be in the right environment in order to give their best,
Raging Bulls (8.8)
Gasly's turbulent times at Red Bull are explored in this installment. The bosses run out of patience with him. As a result, he is released from his contract and demoted to Toro Rosso. Tragedy happens in the episode too as Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert crashes during a race to the finish and dies. There is a somber mood as all the drivers mourn the loss of what was a great talent.
The content in "Raging Bulls" makes it feel almost like an Oscar-winning tragic movie. There are doubts whether Gasly will rise again. Hubert's death is also a reminder of the dangers of the sport. It's all entertainment and business but anything can go terribly wrong at any moment.
Man On Fire (9.4)
With a runtime of 50 minutes, the episode is quite longer than the rest as it covers the crash of Frenchman Romain Grosjean. Through a series of clips, viewers are taken back to those harrowing and tense moments. It takes the driver a total of 90 minutes to get out of the car before flames engulf it but thankfully, he manages it.
Crashes are never something fans are rooting for, but this is an emotional roller coaster that makes it the most engaging offering in the series so far. There is sadness and tension when Grosjean's car bursts into flames but there is jubilation too when he gets out alive. Grosjean reveals that his idol is three-time champion Nikki Lauda, and just like the '70s legend, he gets to stare death in the face and survive.