It's that time of year, again. Netflix's highly anticipated fifth season of Formula One: Drive To Survive is right on our doorsteps and it's no secret that since it's first season on the streaming platform, F1, as a sport, has evolved massively. However, despite this, I have to ask, has Drive To Survive actually done our sport any good?
When you look at it straight on, yes. Viewing figures are up dramatically - especially in the US, races are selling out in the blink of an eye, fan bases on social media are heaving, more and more countries are interested in hosting a race and Liberty Media, the owners of F1, are raking the money in. What's not to like?
But, for F1 fans who have been around a bit longer than Drive To Survive, the changes that have occurred in the sport have been quite prevelant, especially in the past couple of seasons. And, unfortunately, it's not all good.
People, especially on social media, like to blame Liberty Media for some of the "not-so-good" things that have happened to F1. I mean, they (LM) were the ones who liberated the sport and propelled it to it's stardom. But, are they here for the sport, or are they here for the money? Regardless, they've taken what they can and made it into what they have - a well-oiled money making machine.
Take ticket prices, for example. They're not what they used to be. Of course, financially, times are tough and this reflects that but still £600-ish for three day general admission at the British Grand Prix? Madness. But, venues will charge what people are willing to pay and with F1's popularity at an all time high, fans will pay anything to get their hands on a ticket.
And then there's the venues, themselves. Do we really need three races in the States? Do we need street circuit after street circuit? Do we need 24 races, the most in any given season?!
It makes you wonder. Is this all Drive To Survive's fault? Definitely not. But influenced? 100%
However, for motorsport as a whole, the best thing to come from Drive To Survive are the ever increasing number of fans. The reality series has introduced a whole host of people, from a variety of backgrounds, into the world of motorsport. And, although some may find it difficult to differentiate fact from fiction, they're still fans.
But, what do I mean by that? Well, the whole Drive To Survive narrative isn't always the truth. It can be just that, fiction. It can be a story of heroes and villains, of battles fought ferociously. As long as it makes sense, fits in with their narrative and gets the views; that's all that matters. And since this, F1 social media has become somewhat more toxic than it's ever been with fans constantly at each other throats about who supports the hero and who supports the villain. Still, F1 is a sport and with sport comes rivalry. Surely, at times, this behaviour can, unfortunately, be expected regardless of whether it has a whole reality TV series behind it?
Rounding this up, I think that yes, Drive To Survive has been good for F1. But it does depend how you look at it. For some the series has been a blessing. For others, maybe not so much. It's just one of those things that everyone is going to have a different opinion about. For me, personally, I've only seen the first three seasons. I'm just not interested in the narrative they have going. I think it's great that it's brought so many new fans to the sport but I hate that F1's new found fame and popularity has had implications also. For example, ticket prices and sell out crowds.
Anyway, do you have an opinion? Let me know below in the comments!
Season 5 of Formula One: Drive To Survive will be released on Netflix in mid February.
