5 Drive to Survive Episodes Every F1 Newbie Needs to See Before The Release of Season 5

A breakdown of the top 5 Drive to Survive episodes for new F1 fans.

The "Drive to Survive" series on Netflix has transformed the way F1 fans consume the sport, providing them with a unique opportunity to peek behind the curtain.

Offering an in-depth look into the teams, drivers, and politics, the show allows fans to connect with the personalities behind the helmets. Against the backdrop of recent dramatic events in the F1 world, including the Red Bull cost cap row, driver contract shuffles, and Sebastian Vettel's retirement, now is an ideal moment to explore the world of F1.

For newcomers to the sport, "Drive to Survive" is an absolute must-watch. These episodes serve as an informative primer on the latest developments and the characters involved in the game, allowing viewers to get up to speed before the release of the fifth season next week.

“All To Play For” - Season One, Episode One

The initial episode of "Drive to Survive" season one, entitled "All To Play For," serves as a comprehensive introduction to the world of Formula One, setting the scene for the entire series. The episode takes place at the first race of the 2018 season in Australia, offering a glimpse into the high-pressure and high-stakes environment of the sport.

Along with this, it features some of the drivers who play a role in all four seasons of the show, such as Daniel Ricciardo, and introduces team principals such as Guenther Steiner of Haas and Christian Horner of Red Bull.

Overall, the episode provides an all-encompassing look at the world of Formula One, setting the tone for the rest of the series.

“The Art Of War” - Season One, Episode Four

The fourth instalment of season one of "Drive to Survive" is dedicated to the strained relationship between Red Bull Racing and their engine supplier, Renault.

The episode depicts the disintegration of their partnership, with Red Bull's Team Principal, Christian Horner, accusing Cyril Abiteboul, Renault's Managing Director, of providing defective engines. This culminates in an intense confrontation between the two parties.

In addition to this, the episode also explores Daniel Ricciardo's decision to depart from the Red Bull team. In an interview, Ricciardo explains that he left due to a lack of internal comfort and stability within the team, as well as the loss of a key engineer and the team's decision to switch to Honda engines.

“Raging Bulls” - Season Two, Episode Six

In the "Raging Bulls" episode of "Drive to Survive," viewers are given an inside look into the ruthless world of Formula One and the challenges drivers encounter in retaining their positions on teams.

The episode is centered around Red Bull Racing's decision to demote Pierre Gasly, one of their drivers, to their sister team AlphaTauri, and promote Alex Albon to take his place. The harshness of this decision is showcased in the episode by displaying the process of removing Gasly's stickers from the team garage and replacing them with Albon's.

Additionally, the episode provides a comprehensive introduction to Albon, providing a background and an understanding of the Thai-British driver's journey to Formula One. It delves into his childhood, his racing origins, and how Red Bull took him under their wing. Furthermore, it depicts the pressure he experiences to perform and the expectations that come with being a Red Bull driver.

“Down To The Wire” - Season Three, Episode Ten

The final installment of the third season of “Drive to Survive” is entitled “Down to the Wire” and it brings an inside look at the final events of the Formula One season.

With the end of the year approaching, the episode focuses on the contracts of drivers and how teams handle them. It also showcases the winners of the Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships. Aside from the sporting highlights, the episode also covers the diversity issues within the sport.

An exclusive interview with Lewis Hamilton, the only black driver in the history of F1, takes place, where he talks about the discrimination and bias he has encountered during his career. The episode provides an insightful perspective on Hamilton’s experiences and the sport’s ongoing efforts to improve diversity and inclusion.

“Hard Racing” - Season Four, Episode Ten

In the season finale of "Drive to Survive" 2021, the episode hones in on the dramatic conclusion to the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton led the race, but with lapped cars between him and his rival, Max Verstappen, the safety car was deployed. The decision to un-lap only certain cars, made by Race Director Michael Masi, was a game-changing move with significant impact on the outcome of the race.

Verstappen capitalised on his fresh tires, overtaking Hamilton to win the race and secure the 2021 Drivers' Championship. The episode explores the controversy surrounding the decision and its fallout, including the subsequent dismissal of Michael Masi as Race Director, and features interviews with the key players involved in the incident.

When is Drive to Survive Season 5 Released?

Drive to Survive Season 5 will be released to Netflix on Friday 24 Feburary 2023.

The show is a must-watch for any Formula One fan, and the episodes covered in this guide will provide a great introduction to the series. However, be warned, you may find yourself hooked and end up binging all four seasons in one weekend.

Is Drive to Survive Only on Netflix?

Yes. The show is exclusive to Netflix.

Is Max Verstappen in Drive to Survive Season 5?

Yes. The two-time champion has revealed that he is returning to the hit show for the fifth season after coming to an agreement with the team. The Belgian-Dutch driver had boycotted the series after feeling they had over-dramatised situations and had not portrayed them properly. 

However, he felt as the reigning world champion, it was important to be involved with the next season and he confirmed in a recent interview that he was happy with the agreement he and the production team had come to.