Drive to Survive season five: Success or failure?

As the fifth season of popular Formula 1 docuseries Drive to Survive aired on Netflix last month, fans eagerly tuned in to watch their favourite teams and drivers compete on the world stage. But with the show deviating from its successful formula, the question arose: is Drive to Survive season five a hit or a bust?

The winning formula of the first four seasons

Drive to Survive’s first four seasons were a huge success, captivating audiences and introducing new fans to the high-octane world of Formula 1. 

The show’s success was due in part to its innovative storytelling, which followed the teams and drivers through their ups and downs of the season, offering viewers an inside look at the world of motorsports. 

The show’s popularity skyrocketed, and it quickly became a must-watch for any F1 fan and those new to the sport. The series was praised for its cinematic production, gripping storylines and behind-the-scenes access, providing fans with a more intimate view of their favourite teams and drivers.

A departure from the successful formula

However, in season five, Drive to Survive seems to have abandoned this approach. Instead of focusing on the season’s overarching narrative, the show opts for a more disjointed structure. It jumps back and forth between races, providing only a cursory glimpse into the storylines that develop over the year.

The series also focuses on some questionable storylines, such as Lewis Hamilton’s disagreement with the Hungarian Grand Prix’s podium celebrations. While these stories may be of interest to some fans, they don’t offer much insight into the bigger picture of the sport.

The treatment of certain teams and drivers in the edit has also raised some eyebrows: season five heavily features McLaren and Alpine, while other teams like Haas and Williams are given little to no screen time. While it’s understandable that the producers want to highlight the more exciting teams and storylines, this comes at the cost of leaving out crucial parts of the story.

The verdict

So, is season five a failure? Not necessarily. Despite its shortcomings, the show is still an enjoyable watch, providing a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of F1. The production value is as high as ever, and the interviews with the drivers and team principals are still insightful and entertaining.

But, for fans who were hoping for the same level of storytelling and character development that made the first four seasons so successful, season five may disappoint. The disjointed approach and questionable storylines make it harder to become invested in the narrative and the individual journeys of the teams and drivers.

However, continued popularity suggests that even if Drive to Survive 5 isn’t a home run, it’s still a hit with audiences. With a new generation of fans tuning in to watch F1 live from anywhere, the show’s success will likely continue for years to come.

Final thoughts

In the end, Drive to Survive 5 may not be a perfect outing, but it’s still great entertainment for any F1 fan. The rethink of its original structure may be a misstep, but it doesn’t overshadow the overall strengths, such as its production value, behind-the-scenes access and compelling interviews.

While some of the fans may be disappointed with the show’s approach to the season’s storytelling, it’s clear that Drive to Survive is here to stay. With the continued growth of F1 and the sport’s global fanbase, the show’s success will likely continue to thrive, even if it takes a different approach in the future. Drive to Survive will undoubtedly play a significant role in the sport’s popularity, and with the programme’s appeal, we can expect to see more seasons in the future, providing fans with even more intrigue and insight.

So, for fans of F1, Drive to Survive 5 is worth a watch. While it may not be perfect, it’s still an entertaining, fascinating and insightful look into the world of motorsports.

The editorial unit