The eighth season of Drive to Survive, the popular Netflix docu-drama focused on Formula 1, has once again received mixed reviews. Tom Rogers has spoken out about the show following the latest wave of criticism. The series, now in its eighth season, has been and continues to be a major success for Liberty Media and the F1 Circus. Many new fans have been drawn to motorsport thanks to the efforts of the American streaming giant, despite ongoing complaints from long-time supporters of the sport.
New season, new controversies: Drive to Survive continues to generate debate. The Netflix series that each year recounts the previous Formula 1 campaign, offering exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes access from the paddock, has returned with its eighth installment. As has become tradition, criticism has not been lacking, particularly from dedicated, long-time fans who struggle with what they see as the dramatization and romanticization introduced by the show’s creators.
“You have to accept that you’re never going to please everyone,” explained Tom Rogers, head of post-production at Box to Box, speaking to Motorsport.com. “The reality is that the most passionate and ‘hardcore’ fans will inevitably have complaints about certain elements included in the series. But in truth, we are not targeting those who are already passionate about Formula 1.”
Drive to Survive: a matter of target audience
“The series is meant to be a gateway for new fans,” Rogers continued. “We want to turn casual viewers into passionate fans, and non-fans into casual viewers. And I believe we’ve achieved that. As long as we maintain this fresh perspective on the paddock, I think it will continue to be successful. It’s unusual for Netflix series to reach a Season 8, and I think that says a lot about the popularity of the show, but also about the sport itself.”
“Is the show perfect? No. Have we made mistakes in the past? Absolutely, yes. We’re often asked: ‘Do you think it has run its course?’ But considering how much we have grown in the American market, I would say there is still a long way to go. It feels like Formula 1 continues to grow more and more. Hopefully, Drive to Survive will continue alongside Formula 1 on this journey.”
Tom Rogers’ defense of the series highlights the intentional divide between the show’s cinematic storytelling and the technical reality of the sport. While Season 8 may not satisfy the “hardcore” demographic seeking pure technical analysis, its role as a global marketing powerhouse remains undisputed. As Formula 1 continues its rapid expansion, particularly in the United States, Drive to Survive looks set to remain the primary bridge between the casual viewer and the high-stakes world of the F1 paddock.
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