Series synopsis
Formula 1: Drive to Survive is a British documentary television series that premiered on Netflix on March 8, 2019. It was created by James Gay-Rees. It stars Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Sergio Pérez.
Drivers, managers and team owners live life in the fast lane — both on and off the track — during each cutthroat season of Formula 1 racing.
Premise
Drivers, managers and team owners live life in the fast lane — both on and off the track — during each cutthroat season of Formula 1 racing.
Premise: Watch your back.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Max Verstappen as Self
- Lewis Hamilton as Self
- Charles Leclerc as Self
- Sergio Pérez as Self
- George Russell as Self
- Carlos Sainz Jr. as Self
- Nico Hülkenberg as Self
- Lando Norris as Self
Supporting cast
- Esteban Ocon as Self
- Fernando Alonso as Self
- Valtteri Bottas as Self
- Daniel Ricciardo as Self
- Kevin Magnussen as Self
- Nicholas Latifi as Self
- Sebastian Vettel as Self
- Pierre Gasly as Self
- Lance Stroll as Self
- Yuki Tsunoda as Self
- Oscar Piastri as Self
- Zhou Guanyu as Self
Guest cast
- William Storey as Self
- Geri Halliwell-Horner as Self
- Mansour Ojjeh as Self
- Zak Brown as Self
- Christian Horner as Self
- David Croft as Self
Episodes
This series spans 8 seasons with 78 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 10 | March 8, 2019 | March 8, 2019 |
| Season 2 | 10 | February 28, 2020 | February 28, 2020 |
| Season 3 | 10 | March 19, 2021 | March 19, 2021 |
| Season 4 | 10 | March 11, 2022 | March 11, 2022 |
| Season 5 | 10 | February 24, 2023 | February 24, 2023 |
| Season 6 | 10 | February 23, 2024 | February 23, 2024 |
| Season 7 | 10 | March 7, 2025 | March 7, 2025 |
| Season 8 | 8 | February 27, 2026 | February 27, 2026 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
All to Play For Driver Daniel Ricciardo looks to make a statement on the track while the teams prepare for the first race of the season at the Australian Grand Prix. |
March 8, 2019 |
| 2 |
The King of Spain Team McLaren aims to turn things around as its driver Fernando Alonso faces Renault's Carlos Sainz Jr. at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. |
March 8, 2019 |
| 3 |
Redemption At the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix, Ricciardo feels pressured by an upstart. Also, the men and women of Williams Racing fight to remain relevant. |
March 8, 2019 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Lights Out Another Formula 1 season kicks off at the Australian Grand Prix as 10 racing teams vie for the podium. |
February 28, 2020 |
| 2 |
Boiling Point As mediocrity becomes the norm for Team Haas, frustration over the poor performances threaten to tear the group apart from within. |
February 28, 2020 |
| 3 |
Dogfight Eager to return their teams to glory, Renault's Daniel Ricciardo and McLaren's Carlos Sainz Jr. vow to prove themselves on the track. |
February 28, 2020 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Cash Is King As the threat of COVID-19 looms at the Australian Grand Prix, one team's new car design causes controversy. |
March 19, 2021 |
| 2 |
Back on Track The drivers head to Austria for their first race in more than 200 days. Meanwhile, the Red Bull and Mercedes rivalry heats up, on and off the track. |
March 19, 2021 |
| 3 |
Nobody's Fool Determined to emerge from Lewis Hamilton's shadow, Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas seizes his chance at the Russian Grand Prix. |
March 19, 2021 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Clash of the Titans The 2021 Formula 1 season begins at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where drivers give it everything to take the first checkered flag of the year. |
March 11, 2022 |
| 2 |
Ace in the Hole Now racing for McLaren, Daniel Ricciardo sets out to prove that he's still a force on the track. Meanwhile, teammate Lando Norris puts on the pressure. |
March 11, 2022 |
| 3 |
Tipping Point Red Bull's Max Verstappen pulls off a string of victories. Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes struggles to keep pace. Later, an accident leads to controversy. |
March 11, 2022 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The New Dawn As the season begins in Bahrain, Ferrari hopes new cars will finally propel them to the top, and Haas makes a risky bet on a last-minute driver switch. |
February 24, 2023 |
| 2 |
Bounce Back Mercedes principal Toto Wolff works to combat the team's unexpected struggles, while Lewis Hamilton navigates a bumpy ride in the team's redesigned car. |
February 24, 2023 |
| 3 |
Matter of Principal Ferrari drivers and decision-makers feel the pressure of high expectations at a star-studded new event in Miami and a game-changing race at Silverstone. |
February 24, 2023 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Money Talks Lawrence Stroll will do whatever it takes for Aston Martin to become world champion. But his dreams could be over before the new season even starts. |
February 23, 2024 |
| 2 |
Fall from Grace Hopes are high for Nyck de Vries as he takes his first shot at Formula One. With the pressure mounting, he struggles to keep up the pace. |
February 23, 2024 |
| 3 |
Under Pressure McLaren has a lot to prove after last season. As star driver Lando Norris' car lets him down yet again, he starts considering his options. |
February 23, 2024 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Business as Usual Ahead of the new season, the drama has already begun. Lewis Hamilton makes a drastic decision — which is almost overshadowed by a shocking allegation. |
March 7, 2025 |
| 2 |
Frenemies Lando Norris has spent his career coming second to Max Verstappen. Can this be the year he overtakes his friend and makes a bid for the Championship? |
March 7, 2025 |
| 3 |
Looking Out for Number 1 Without Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes has a seat to fill for 2025. George Russell thinks he's ready to step up to lead driver — but does Toto Wolff agree? |
March 7, 2025 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
New Kids on the Track As a new season begins under the lights of London's O2 Arena, six rookies join the grid and a seven-time World Champion hangs his helmet in a new garage. |
February 27, 2026 |
| 2 |
Strictly Business Alpine's brutal tactics and Kick Sauber's softer ethos go head-to-head at the back of the grid as rookies struggle to keep their Formula 1 dreams alive. |
February 27, 2026 |
| 3 |
The Number 1 Problem At a scorching Bahrain opener, McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris both chase the title, but only one can win as their fight becomes a mental war. |
February 27, 2026 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Netflix |
|---|---|
| First aired | March 8, 2019 |
| Last aired | February 27, 2026 |
| Status | continue |