Drive to Survive renewed by Netflix as Formula 1 docuseries gets ninth season

Netflix has announced that Drive to Survive, the popular Formula 1 docuseries, will return for its ninth season next year. The behind-the-scenes filming for the new season has already commenced, with post-production scheduled to commence at the end of the year, with an expected release in February 2027. Both executive producers of the series, James Gay-Rees and Paul Martin, from Box to Box, expressed their excitement about the upcoming season, promising to delve deeper into the "hidden spaces of this fantastic sport."

Drive to Survive has played a significant role in revitalizing the appeal of Formula 1 and expanding its reach to new audiences, particularly in North America. Since its debut in 2019, US viewership of races has more than doubled, and the gender split among F1 fans has become more balanced. The show has also contributed to a surge in Formula 1's total revenues, which have increased from $1.8 billion to over $3.5 billion. This financial success, coupled with stricter cost controls, has led to a rise in team valuations.

Other sports have attempted to emulate the success of Drive to Survive with similar series, such as golf’s Full Swing, tennis's Break Point, cycling’s Tour de France: Unchained, athletics' Sprint, and rugby union's Six Nations: Full Contact. Despite a decrease in total viewership in recent years, possibly due to the series being reduced to eight episodes, Drive to Survive has maintained steady per-episode consumption rates.

However, the show has faced criticism from some drivers, including four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who accused it of fabricating dramatic storylines for entertainment purposes. The series has been instrumental in opening the door for streaming giants, like Netflix, to increase their sports output, both through documentaries and live events in tennis and boxing.