With the amount of competitive spirit dominating the Formula 1 grid during a Grand Prix season, it almost feels like there’s blood in the water and the sharks are circling. The pervading tense atmosphere that looms over the racetracks as each car hurtles down at 200 miles per hour is palpable and this is the energy that Drive to Survive strives to capture in the 10-episode segments of its show.
In its never-ending attempt to twist and turn storylines into a desirable shape like clay on a pottery wheel, Drive to Survive often crosses over into irredeemable territories with its manipulative and misleading narratives. Time and again, the series has been called out on its misgivings, and yet, Netflix stands its ground with the series.
Among one of the show’s most inspected storylines is the rise of Red Bull Racing and the most recent exit of one fan-favorite Aussie driver.
Drive to Survive holds up its idol till his Season 7 exit
Although there are multiple aspects to nitpick about regarding the series, one of the less damaging storylines of Drive to Survive involves the reputation of Red Bull Racing and its relationship with its former drivers. With Max Verstappen singlehandedly stealing the spotlight for the past 4 years, he may be the star driver but it was Daniel Ricciardo who the fans grew to love and adore over the years.
The Australian racer was one of the happiest faces one could see on the F1 grid. His infectious energy and outgoing personality touched everyone he worked with, whether in real life or through the barriers of a television screen. Ricciardo easily became a fan-favorite among Drive to Survive audiences soon after his Season 1 intro.
However, on 22 September 2024, Daniel Ricciardo’s 14-year-long career in Formula 1 came to an abrupt end after the Singapore Grand Prix. News filtered in about him being dropped by the junior Red Bull team, VCARB (now Racing Bulls), with only 6 races to go. As the Aussie bowed out in grace, the fans were left to simmer in their grief and loathing toward the Red Bull management.
Daniel Ricciardo’s exit sparks rage among the masses
Red Bull may be an overpowered team with winning stats and an unbeatable race car engine, but no amount of technical jargon can soothe the wound left behind by Daniel Ricciardo’s unceremonious exit. No matter how hard Drive to Survive attempts to hype up Red Bull’s dominance throughout a Grand Prix season, it all boils down to how the team handled the retirement of one of its best drivers midway through the 2024 season.
Ricciardo, who has outright refused to return to Formula 1 again, has left an indelible mark on the fans’ hearts, and in his lowest moment, the very same fans gather to call out Red Bull for its disgraceful behavior toward one of its own.
While discussing the same on a Reddit thread, one Formula 1 fan lashed out at Red Bull, saying:
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byu/Annual_Plant5172 from discussion
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While Red Bull needed to take its statistics into account, considering the cutthroat nature of the sport, the team could have also given a more respectable and generous farewell to Daniel Ricciardo, instead of shirking him to the sidelines immediately after dropping him from the team.
Drive to Survive Seasons 1-7 are currently streaming on Netflix.
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