Formula 1 and Netflix have announced that season 4 of Drive to Survive will launch with another ten episodes on 11 March, a week before the 2022 season gets underway in Bahrain and bang in the middle of the official pre-season test.

Setting the tone for what will be the usual controversial coverage of a controversial season, the, somewhat brief, press release states:

"Offering unprecedented access, Season 4 will once again take fans behind the scenes, to witness first-hand how the drivers and teams prepare to battle it out for victory in one of the sport's most dramatic seasons to date.

"Get ready to delve into fierce team rivalries, unexpected podiums, and the intense title battle between Mercedes and Red Bull as the pressure reaches an all-time high both on and off the grid."

While the main point of interest is sure to be Max Verstappen's season-long rivalry with Lewis Hamilton, culminating in that controversial showdown in Abu Dhabi, officially the Dutchman played no part in the series, claiming that it manufactures rivalries and creates controversy where there is none.

Somewhat ironic when you consider how the season ended.

While diehards tend to poo-poo the series, there is no doubt that it is attracting new fans to the sport, especially in the US.

Indeed, Alpine boss, Laurent Rossi probably best described the impact of the series on F1 when he told Road & Track: “We are hitting the right audience now. We're bringing in way more people than just the traditional petrolheads.

"Suddenly we're like actors in a show," he adds, "putting their best foot forward to entertain more viewers. It's a recipe for a great show and great entertainment.”

"The show has driven a much wider and diverse crowd than just motor-racing fans,” adds Otmar Szafnauer. “Our product is so entertaining and enticing once you get a flavour for it, once you understand it.

"From there, the audience for F1 in the States can grow significantly. If a household likes Formula 1, then the children like it, and that grows.

"Many of my friends who are now in their fifties like me started watching Formula 1 because their parents enjoyed it back in the Seventies. If we can get that momentum, I think that growth could happen very quickly.”

LATEST NEWS

more news >

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

Click to go to the main galleries section

READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Burton, 17/02/2022 20:49

"Hopefully it's not just a special episode of Love Island:Christian&Toto."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by Mad Matt, 17/02/2022 13:18

"I find myself torn: I dislike the 'glamming up' with artificial sounds exaggerating of tensions, or even making up tension when there is none.....

On the other hand it's something to watch before the season starts and despite itself I still manage to find a few insights tucked away.

I think it'll come down to what else is streaming at the time and if there's not much on then I'll watch it :-)"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

3. Posted by Endre, 17/02/2022 13:15

"On a somewhat related note, MotoGP Unlimited premiers on Prime on March 14. Curious if this one will also fake story lines or stay true to the championship"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

4. Posted by kenji, 17/02/2022 10:02

"@ Ed. OK, I get it. Point taken."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

5. Posted by Editor, 17/02/2022 8:38

"@ Kenji

Will you please stop trying to Troll other readers.

If you are relishing the new series, fine, but why the need to comment about what other readers' do and their opinions."

Rating: Positive (2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

6. Posted by Superbird70, 17/02/2022 2:54

"Don't give away the ending!! I want to be surprised."

Rating: Positive (2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

7. Posted by kenji, 16/02/2022 23:45

"Now that's good news, something I have been waiting for. The mere fact that '21 was a cracker year for some argy bargy should make fascinating TV. Pity that all those who have dissed on the series, if they're true to their beliefs, will not watch but there you go. Then again maybe they will sneak a peek..or two, just so that they have something to complain about but that would undermine their basic beliefs. The long wait is nearly over...."

Rating: Negative (-1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

Drive to Survive launches on 11 March

LATEST NEWS

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

POST A COMMENT

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

Share this page