THE NETFLIX series Drive to Survive has been confirmed for two more seasons, focusing on 2022 and 2023, Formula One announced on Thursday.
In a statement, F1 said the show, given widespread credit for increasing the popularity of F1 racing in the United States, would continue to take fans behind the scenes.
Season four, which has been broadcast this year, has been positioned in Netflix’s weekly top ten in 56 countries, said the F1 statement.
It has taken the sport towards a new younger audience, according to surveys.
“The new season will once again take fans behind the scenes, to witness first-hand how the drivers and teams prepare to battle it out for the 2022 and 2023 championships,” said the statement.
“The series will offer never-before-seen footage and interviews from the sport’s biggest names.”
This weekend’s inaugural Miami Grand Prix is one of two American races this year and will be joined by a third event in Las Vegas in 2023.
Despite the clamour in the United States, there has been a reported lack of enthusiasm for the show in the F1 paddock among teams and drivers.
World champion Max Verstappen said last year that he understood the need to “boost the popularity” but refused to have a prominent role in the series.
“They faked a few rivalries which don’t really exist,” he said.
“So I decided to not be a part of it and did not give any more interviews.”
Amid criticism of the lack of accuracy and authenticity, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said he would request that Netflix ensured the narrative was built on reality and promised he would establish a dialogue with drivers.
Excellent, really enjoy this show and it’s definitely reignited my interest in F1
If they want to get even more exposure to a wider audience then they should make a number of Grand Prix free to air in my opinion.
@Niall Cunneen: Channel 4 do the British GP free every year, and did Abu Dhabi free last year too. Not enough though. Should be more than that to keep interest up
@Niall Cunneen: catch 22 situation. When it wasn’t massively popular, there wasn’t as much money to be made through broadcasting deals, now that people want to watch it, there is money to be made by putting it behind a paywall. Channel 4 do a good highlights show on a Sunday evening and have highlights of qualifying too. Miami is turning out to be nothing but a chance to get shares and likes on social media. Sorry state for the “sport” when articles about the race weekend and engine upgrades also have a list of “celebrities” who will be attending over the weekend.