Tom’s Take: I’m Wrong. F1 Doesn’t Suck! Thanks Netflix!

The author had an epiphany after watching the Netflix docuseries Formula One: The Drive to Survive. Image Credit: Netflix

Tom’s Take: I’m Wrong. F1 Doesn’t Suck! Thanks Netflix!

By Tom Stahler

A year ago, after the French Grand Prix, I extolled a boatload of bellyache in a scathing Tom’s Take column, Why Formula One Sucks. I won’t concede all of my points such as engine noise, Tilke tracks and the loss of grid girls, however, after viewing Netflix’ Formula One: The Drive to Survive, I was reminded of all the things I love about the sport — and find myself waking extra early again to view the races as a genuine fan. Further, I’m willing to admit when I speak out of turn… Well mostly…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtJPe1ksS6E

Drive to Survive is a docuseries in ten forty-minute segments that include all the personalities, thrills, spills, home life and politics of the 2018 Formula One season — a season I largely ignored — but for the abridged race recaps. It had all the drama, pressure-cooker tension, speed, color, scenery and Machiavellian interaction that makes Formula One the pinnacle of motorsport. The filmography and editing alone is worth the price of admission. Those who are fans of those 4K nature films to exercise their expensive flatscreens, might appreciate the in-car and fly on the wall cinematography that puts the viewer within inches of the competition. Needless to say, race coverage these days puts the viewer in the driver’s seat, yet Drive to Survive has an artful and ethereal approach to the beauty, speed, danger and the many geographical settings of a Grand Prix season.

McLaren CEO, Zak Brown and author Tom Stahler have a "selfie" moment at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles. Image Credit: Tom Stahler

Getting to discuss the docuseries briefly with Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren, recently at an event at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles, was a real treat. Brown makes several appearances in the series. He is a very Euro-familiar American who raced in the lower formulas overseas, then made a fortune selling sponsorship into F1 — and ultimately took the lead role in the struggling yet iconic team. Brown agreed with me that the Drive to Survive series has been a boon for the brand here in the US. Needless to say, I liked Zak, but beneath the kind exterior certainly breathes a man who has risen to the highest ranks of a business as mad as a March hare.

 Netflix describes the series, “The drivers, managers and team owners in Formula 1 live life in the fast lane -- both on and off the track. This docuseries gives viewers exclusive, intimate access to the people in one of the world's greatest racing competitions. Formula 1: Drive to Survive reveals the true story of the high-octane sport, which goes beyond the fight to be number one. There's also a battle for the heart, soul and direction of the multibillion-dollar business. Storylines include changes that a team undergoes after an ownership change and the pressure felt to outperform other drivers.”

For those of us familiar with the sport, witness first hand the stresses of once great teams like Williams, who have struggled mid-pack under the leadership of Frank Williams’ daughter, Claire. The intrigue of Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll’s investment in the team and running son Lance, who was clearly hampered by mechanicals and mistakes — so much so — the Canadian businessman pulled up stakes and moved his investment into Force India, renamed Racing Point for the 2019 season. Add to the mix the doldrums plaguing McLaren and it has all the intrigue of a great soap opera. Incidentally, Sir Patrick Head has been brought back in at Williams as a consultant to right the ship.

Red Bull Boss Christian Horner dropped Renault engines like a rock. Renault Boss Cyril Abiteboul was less than pleased, and it played out in front of Netflix cameras. Image Credit: Netflix

The Netflix series takes the viewer up and down the grid, albeit no stories from Mercedes and Ferrari, which I am certain due to its secretive and highly focused nature, refused to participate and waved off the cameras. It really is a “Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat” kind of group of stories. Red Bull and Christian Horner got much screen time as they represent “the best of the rest” in the highly monied competition. Though not mentioned, Liberty Media, a wily conglomerate that bought the series from Bernie Ecclestone three years ago, seems to have financed the documentary to grow world wide — particularly US interest in the sport. Not sure if it worked for everyone, but it certainly worked for me.

Those who have been on “The Dark Side,” also known as any F1 paddock, will tell you there is more drama, hatred, secrets and skullduggery in any given day than a month in NASCAR or IndyCar. But that is the highly competitive nature of being part of this mountainous peak racing series — it leads me to believe that even the guys who sweep the floors in and around Milton Keynes have all read Machiavelli. There is the inter-team rivalries, the poaching, the contracts, the wins, the podiums, the mechanicals, the crashes and the highest forms of automotive technology from engineers who passionately attempt to capture a hundredth of a second, rather than putting men on Mars. To bring it full circle, Formula One continues to be surrounded by 21 exotic ports of call and all glitterati that wants to see and be seen.

Get Started soon! Drive to Survive is worth the look! Image Credit: Netflix

This is sporting intrigue for any fan of racing — or for that matter — any fan of sport. As I watched the series (actually binge-watched), my hunger for Formula One was restored, with perhaps a slightly different bent: I still miss grid girls, 19,000 rpm screams and some of the classic circuits. All said though, it wakes me up very early (earlier now that I am on the left coast) and lights the fuse of my enthusiasm as the cars roll out of th pits. If you have not seen this series and like sport, drama and sensationalism, Drive to Survive wins the prize in my book for best documentary since Senna. See it at your earliest convenience — you won’t be able to look away.


TAGS: Formula One, F1, Netflix, Tom Stahler, Zak Brown, Christian Horner, Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, Force India, Racing Point, Cyril Abiteboul, Monaco, Drive to Survive, Tom's Take, 2018 F1 Season