What to expect from Formula 1: Drive to Survive 6 on Netflix

Drive to Survive 6 is set to debut on Netflix at the end of February, following the tradition of releasing the docuseries on the streaming platform a few weeks before the start of the new Formula 1 season.

The series recounts the previous edition of the F1 championship, and in this case, the sixth season aims to showcase the highlights of the 2023 season, characterized by the dominance of Max Verstappen and his Red Bull.

As we await the release of the new episodes on February 23 (amidst pre-season testing in Bahrain), what should we expect from Drive to Survive 6?

Max Verstappen, Unleashed (Toro)
Max, the dominator, Mad Max – however, you call him, Verstappen reigned supreme in 2023. Unmatched, he won 19 out of 22 races, recorded 22 fastest laps, and earned a total of 575 points. With this year’s victories, he reached a total of 54, surpassing Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. In short, it was a memorable season for the Dutch driver, and Drive to Survive will undoubtedly dedicate at least a couple of episodes to him and the remarkable teamwork at Red Bull: flawless from every perspective.

Mr. Vasseur Moves to Ferrari
2023 was Fred Vasseur’s trial season. The Frenchman found himself managing a car not of his making (a result of the outgoing Mattia Binotto’s management) and two drivers who, despite some squabbles, managed to get along well. Vasseur was one of the figures of the past season: a good-natured, ironic character who knows his stuff when needed. Very different from Binotto, the good Fred managed to turn around the fortunes of a declining Ferrari, actively involving his team. Under his management, Charles Leclerc had an extra support, despite an unlucky season for him.

The Good Guys
Oscar Piastri, Logan Sargeant, Nyck De Vries: these are the good guys entering the world of Formula 1 for the first time. The Dutchman already had a taste at Monza in 2022, where he scored his first points. The other two are stepping into the top tier cautiously.

Unfortunately, fate (or perhaps Helmut Marko) is cruel to De Vries, who is let go after not even half a season due to poor results. Logan stumbles several times but manages to score points in his home Grand Prix in Austin. Piastri is the only one shining in the constellation (there will surely be space to remember his fantastic weekend in Qatar, with a win in the Sprint).

Singapore Drift
In a season dominated by Red Bull, there is a hero in Singapore: Carlos Sainz delivers Ferrari’s first and only victory of the year. A masterstroke for the Spaniard, in great form on the starry night of Marina Bay. Drive to Survive 6 will undoubtedly narrate the exploits of Carlos Sainz, the protagonist of a masterful race that concludes with a joyful ending.

Lawson, the Third Man
2023 was also a peculiar year for Alpha Tauri, managing its drivers and more. After De Vries exits, the Faenza-based team calls Daniel Ricciardo, a Red Bull reserve driver. He partners with the young and rebellious Yuki Tsunoda. However, due to an injury, Daniel Ricciardo temporarily hands over his seat to another rookie, Liam Lawson. Also young, blond, and big-hearted: in five races, he scores two points, improving each time. One might say: give a seat to this guy!

Viva Las Vegas
Las Vegas returns to Formula 1 after more than forty years; the last GP was held in 1982. A weekend with fireworks, glamour, Elvis impersonators, and a driver presentation resembling Hunger Games tributes. The event stirred some controversy (Verstappen complained about it, among others), but in the end, the race provided entertainment. Except for the issue of the manhole cover that hit Carlos Sainz’s car.

Noon of Fire in Qatar
Perhaps the most challenging race of the year under the scorching asphalt of Qatar. This race has been widely discussed, exhausting the drivers (Sargeant felt unwell, Ocon vomited), pushing them to the limits of their physical abilities. The title of the docuseries Drive to Survive is entirely fitting in this case. But how far can one go to compete? Can you really risk your life? We expect a clear and crystal-clear account of the Qatar GP, highlighting the dangers of racing in high temperatures.