The documentary series, ‘Drive to Survive,’ has become a cultural phenomenon worldwide. It has been successful in providing fans with a behind-the-scenes look at the high-stakes world of Formula 1. And it has been a huge success in attracting new audiences for the sport. However, not everyone has been singing its praises. Max Verstappen, the strongly opinionated Red Bull driver, has been a vocal critic, expressing reservations about the show’s portrayal of F1 personalities. But in a recent conversation on the ‘Track Limits’ podcast, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has dispelled any such claims regarding the show.

At the heart of Max Verstappen’s concerns is authenticity. The Dutch driver has been particularly critical of what he perceives as fabricated narratives and distorted character depictions in the series. It’s a sentiment he has echoed on multiple occasions, questioning the direction of the show and its impact on the perception of Formula 1, especially among newer fans. It also led him to reject giving any direct interviews to Netflix in the fourth season of the show.

Zak Brown shatters Verstappen’s claims about Drive To Survive’s false narratives

Drawing parallels between ‘Drive to Survive’ and reality TV shows, Max Verstappen highlighted his preference for a more authentic representation of Formula 1. He suggested that F1 should handle its own season reviews rather than adopting an entertainment-oriented approach. He specifically used the depiction of the relationship between drivers Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren, expressing dissatisfaction with the portrayal.

However, in a recent turn of events, Zak Brown has stepped forward to challenge the Dutchman’s views. In a candid conversation on the “Track Limits” podcast, Brown dismissed Verstappen’s claims, offering a contrasting perspective on the character portrayal of Drive to Survive. “I think the show’s great for Formula 1, it’s done amazing things,“ Brown remarked. Contrary to Max Verstappen’s concerns, Brown believes the series portrays everyone accurately and celebrates its role in showcasing the intricacies of Formula 1 off the track.

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“I think it portrays everyone pretty accurately and I think it’s great that it shows people kind of how the sport works off the track… I’m very critical of myself, so when I see something I wish I would have done that differently or that differently. But I think they kind of capture everyone for who they are, and it’s just done wonderful things for the sport. So long may it continue,“ Zak concluded.

READ MORE: Zak Brown Reveals Having “Soft Spot” for Daniel Ricciardo Despite ‘Harsh’ Ouster From McLaren

Despite his initial reservations and criticisms, the Dutch driver eventually came around and decided to participate in the interviews for the fifth season of the documentary series.

Why did Max Verstappen agree to be part of the fifth season of Drive To Survive?

Having exchanged words with the producers of the show, Max Verstappen expressed his desire to always have been a part of ‘Drive to Survive’ while emphasizing the need for realism in the portrayal. The triple-world champion ensured that the team behind the show understood his perspective when he engaged with them while considering being back for the interviews.

For Verstappen, being portrayed accurately in the show was of utmost importance. As the reigning F1 world champion, he recognized the significance of his role in projects like ‘Drive to Survive.’ The driver explained, according to Autosport, “I had to explain it to them that that was my view. Otherwise, I didn’t want to be part of it. But yes, they understood.“

Now, with the 2023 season in the books, Netflix has officially set the stage for Formula 1 enthusiasts with the announcement of the release date for the highly anticipated sixth season of ‘Drive to Survive.’ Scheduled for Friday, February 23rd, 2024, this release strategically aligns with the pre-season testing in Bahrain, creating a seamless transition from the previous season to the upcoming 2024 campaign.

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What are your thoughts on the different views on character portrayal between Verstappen and Brown? Also, do you think Netflix and Formula will continue to collaborate in the future for the continuation of the documentary series? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.