Netflix subscribers have demanded the streaming service release a record-breaking sports series early ahead of its release date announcement. Season 7 of the hit series Drive to Survive will again go behind the scenes to give Formula 1 fans new insight into the thrilling 2024 campaign, which saw Max Verstappen fend off a surging Lando Norris. Viewers will know there was plenty of action both on and off the track, with many notable high-profile clashes between drivers.
The new series will be released on Netflix on Friday, March 7 ahead of the 2025 season opener in Australia on Sunday, March 16. Following F1 and Netflix announcing the release date for Drive to Survive, many fans were clamouring for the series to be released early. One shared: "Release it now" while another said: "Cannot wait for this to release! Might be the best DTS season ever". Another Formula 1 fan commented: " Drive to Survive season 7 to be out March 7th? Ladies and gentlemen, we’re about to eat good".
Yet there was some criticism of the upcoming series, with common complaints being races or events being ignored or downplayed and audio from other races and team radios being used in other races. A third fan said: "I’m ready for the .5 seconds of screen time for Charles Leclerc's race wins, 0.3 seconds of Max’s win in Brazil, and then the 10 hours of Alpine 'subplot'.". Another said: "I hope it’s not boring and sanitised like last season. Good grief, give us info we don’t know. Make it gripping and interesting like the earlier seasons.".
F1 fans will recall Max Verstappen and Red Bull looked to be unstoppable when the year kicked off – but their rivals rapidly closed in as the season progressed and, while the Dutchman held off the challenge from his competitors to clinch his fourth World Championship. Meanwhile, the fight for the Constructors’ crown dramatically went right down to the wire between Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton announced he was joining Ferrari in the 2025 season, Perez's declining form at Red Bull led to his sacking and Logan Sargent was dropped by Williams mid-season.
Tom Hutchings, Executive Producer at the show's Box to Box Films production company, said: “We’re really excited for fans to watch the new season of Drive to Survive. "The 2024 season was incredible both on and off the track, with the action well and truly underway before the first race in Bahrain. Expect more drama and fun from the paddock this season and a few surprises too. “Go behind the scenes as teams bid for the hottest drivers on the market, experience a weekend with the drivers at the toughest race of the year; and expect a nail-biting finish right up to the last race. Fasten your seatbelts – this season is going to be our biggest ever.”.
