Formula 1 is readying itself for the first race of the season in the United States: the Miami Grand Prix. For McLaren driver Lando Norris, this race holds a special place in his heart after he took the first win of his career at this very track in 2024. The seventh season of Drive to Survive covered this in its episode, Frenemies, but it’s safe to say the Netflix series took a few creative liberties – many of which Norris himself as criticised.
The 2024 Miami Grand Prix was a landmark race for the Papaya racer who, after 110 races, finally stood at the top of the podium. Starting from fifth on the grid, he dropped a position early as Red Bull driver Max Verstappen led from pole. But when then-Williams driver Logan Sargeant collided with Kevin Magnussen of Haas, a safety car deployment gave Norris and his Woking team the opportunity they needed to push up the pack.
Verstappen had already pitted, but with Norris still on his first set of tyres, he was able to grab a free pitstop as the safety car did its thing. The McLaren driver was able to fend off an aggressive Verstappen as the race resumed before riding off into the papaya sunset, securing a commanding win.
“You win, you lose. I think we’re all used to that… If a bad day is P2, I take it, and I’m happy for Lando. It’s been a long time coming,” Verstappen said following the race.
When Netflix released the accompanying episode, in March earlier this year, fans who had watched the race noticed a few differences between what was shown on the episode and what really happened. In fact, the whole episode focussed on the growing bitter rivalry between the two drivers. In reality, there was no such thing.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 2nd position, Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team, 1st position, in the Press Conference
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“They need to show the truth about people more,” Norris said at the beginning of the season.
“I’m not a fan of fake stuff. I want facts. I don’t want made-up scripts and fabricated nonsense, which there is.
“The portrayal of Max, and how we were against each other so much, they don’t need to create that drama, just show the facts.
“To portray someone in an incorrect way, people are going to have their opinions of that incorrect person. It is almost lying in some ways, and I just don’t think that’s correct.
“They just jumble up the whole thing and they don’t care when they put it in.
“Maybe it needs to be more of a documentary of the season, more than a show like they’re trying to do. It has drifted too far away.”
He’s specifically discussing how the show exaggerated Verstappen’s reaction to Norris’ win. Netflix implied that the Dutchman was upset or even angry over the result of the race, when really, he was happy for his close friend.
The series’ executive producer, James Gay-Rees, later responded to Norris’ comments, arguing that Drive to Survive is simply an interpretation of the events.
“You have to get the essence of what you’re trying to get across. It becomes an interpretation of what happened, but our ambition is always to tell an authentic story,” he told The National. “That’s why it’s such a great place to make a show. There are heroes and villains. People are out to win at any price and will do whatever it takes.
“It’s a very fertile precinct in which to make a series because it’s so contained. The characters don’t change. It’s dangerous and political and scandalous and gossipy. Those are the key ingredients.”
Verstappen has had a difficult relationship with the Netflix series, with him refusing to be part of the earlier seasons after he saw how he was portrayed. He has since returned, but his screen time is much lower than most.
Of course, Drive to Survive’s effect on the sport has been incredible. F1 now has a younger, more diverse fanbase, and this is incredibly commendable. But it’s the human stories and innovation that make this sport so brilliant.
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