Formula 1 fans have taken to social media to call out Netflix for what they perceive as an unfair portrayal of reigning world champion Max Verstappen in the seventh season of Drive to Survive. The latest installment of the popular documentary series, which chronicles the entire 2024 F1 season, was officially released worldwide on Friday.
As always, the series highlights several major storylines from the season, including Lewis Hamilton’s headline-making move from Mercedes to Ferrari, McLaren’s triumphant resurgence that saw them crowned Constructors’ Champions for the first time since 1998, and the intense on-track rivalry between Verstappen and Lando Norris.
Netflix has developed a unique storytelling approach for Drive to Survive, often dedicating entire episodes to specific teams rather than presenting a chronological retelling of the season. This means that while one episode might focus exclusively on McLaren’s progress at a particular Grand Prix, another might spotlight Ferrari at a different race. However, this selective narrative style sometimes results in key moments being left out, or even distorting the perception of certain drivers or events.
Controversy Over Verstappen’s Portrayal
One moment from Season 7 has sparked backlash among fans, particularly in the way Verstappen was depicted following Norris’ maiden Formula 1 victory at the Miami Grand Prix.
During that race, Norris secured his first-ever F1 win after a well-timed safety car deployment and an incident in which Verstappen struck a bollard, damaging his front wing and hampering his chances of victory. The episode covering the Miami Grand Prix presents Verstappen’s reaction as one of extreme disappointment, portraying him as devastated by the loss while Norris basks in his historic triumph.
However, eagle-eyed fans quickly noticed an inconsistency in the footage. In the scene where Verstappen appears visibly upset, he is seen wearing a blue second-place podium cap—but not the one from Miami. Instead, the cap is from the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, a completely different race. Further scrutiny reveals another telling detail: a black podium cap with the Dutch flag beside him. This is significant because official podium caps are produced well in advance of each Grand Prix and are designed to match the country of the event, not the driver’s nationality. This suggests that Netflix may have used footage from an entirely different race to exaggerate Verstappen’s emotions in the wake of Norris’ win.
Fans Call Out Netflix for Misleading Editing
Unsurprisingly, fans were quick to voice their discontent, pointing out that Drive to Survive has a history of dramatic editing that sometimes alters the reality of events. Many took to Twitter to express their frustration over the misleading portrayal of Verstappen’s reaction.
One fan remarked: “They do know we all watched it live. Max was very happy for Lando.”
Another added: “This is one of the reasons why I can’t watch this.”
A third fan shared: “Meanwhile, this was Max after the race, celebrating Lando’s win—and he even went clubbing with him after.”
A fourth person commented bluntly: “Using a clip where Max is wearing the Zandvoort cap… seriously?”
This latest controversy isn’t the first time Netflix has been accused of manipulating Drive to Survive’s narrative for dramatic effect. Over the years, many drivers—including Verstappen himself—have expressed concerns about how the series presents rivalries, conversations, and emotions in ways that do not always align with reality.
Despite this, Drive to Survive remains a key driver of F1’s global popularity, introducing new fans to the sport and offering behind-the-scenes access that traditional broadcasts cannot provide. However, moments like these raise questions about how far Netflix is willing to go to enhance the drama, and whether its editorial choices come at the cost of accurately reflecting the sport’s biggest personalities.
Netflix called out for Max Verstappen portrayal on Drive to Survive as eagle-eyed F1 fans spot major editing blunder
