F1 News: Drive To Survive Producer Confirms Christian Horner Controversy Will Feature In Season 7

Drive to Survive Season 7 will cover the ongoing controversy surrounding Red Bull team chief Christian Horner.

Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, speaks at the Red Bull Fan Zone, a / Jay Janner/American-Statesman / USA

The makers of the popular Formula 1 documentary series, Drive to Survive, have confirmed the inclusion of the controversies surrounding Christian Horner and Red Bull Racing in its seventh season. This decision follows a season of heightened criticism for the show's dramatisation and omission of key F1 events.

Key Takeaways:

• Season 7 of Drive to Survive will address the controversies involving Christian Horner, following a season that faced criticism for overlooking significant Formula 1 developments.
• Executive producer James Gay-Rees discussed the challenges of balancing the narrative to satisfy all parties involved, including Netflix and the subjects of the series.
• Gay-Rees highlighted the importance of maintaining neutrality, especially in sensitive cases like that of Horner, whose situation is still unfolding.

Oct 23, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; (from left) Red Bull team advisor Helmut Marko and Red Bull Racing / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

In the world of Formula 1, the drama off the track is often as compelling as the action on it. The Netflix documentary series, Drive to Survive, has been at the forefront of bringing this drama to a global audience, blending racing with the intense personal and professional dynamics of the sport. However, the series has not been without its critics, particularly concerning its portrayal of events and figures within the F1 community.

The latest controversy to capture the attention of both fans and critics alike involves Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. Recent allegations against Horner have stirred the F1 community, and Drive to Survive is set to feature this storyline in its seventh season. James Gay-Rees, the executive producer, spoke to The Telegraph about the delicate task of weaving this narrative into the series. He emphasised the complexity of presenting such a story in a way that is fair and satisfying to all parties involved, from the subjects themselves to the viewers and Netflix.

Gay-Rees shed light on the behind-the-scenes decision-making process, stressing the importance of balance and sensitivity.

"They will all want it to be told in a particular way, so it’s about treading that line to keep everybody happy, and to keep Netflix happy, and us – so we can sleep at night with the decisions we’ve made.

"You have to have balance. I think Horner is looking OK for the time being, but it doesn’t feel like it’s done yet. It will all depend on how it plays out. I don’t know what he got up to – and I genuinely don’t have an opinion on it, but he’s been through it and you wouldn’t wish that on anybody."

The seventh season of Drive to Survive will cover the 2024 Formula One season and is likely to be released at a similar time to season 6, in February 2025.