The Netflix platform is often criticized by its subscribers for its inability to produce quality series in the long run. However, several of his plays have managed to defy this observation by establishing themselves over time.
This is especially true of the documentary series Formula 1: The Drivers of Their Fortunes, which has been on the air for five seasons and is considered by many viewers to be the best series on the streaming service! Madness that worries not only racing fans, on the contrary…
With significant resources and privileged access behind the scenes of the main F1 teams, the documentary series shed light on all the workings of this iconic competition, the challenges faced by the drivers, but also the extraordinary personalities of its men in the shadows and especially its team managers.
Because F1: The Drivers of Their Destiny is not just a suspended series about the winner of the Formula 1 World Championship. The results are known in advance (provided that you are interested in motor racing news), this program is primarily interested in small stories, and therefore it is often more interesting to follow the fights led by mid-table teams than the results of the top ranked teams.
This Netflix product is clearly a giant advertisement for Formula 1 and, moreover, in this sense, the platform has managed to attract an audience that is not interested in motor racing, by making this world accessible through a very clear explanation of its rules and other specifics. .
Thus, we can fully appreciate the series without having seen the Grand Prix on television, and besides, the pilots of their fortunes do not occupy the sports program as much as in the series à la Dallas, in this merciless world where money is involved. King, conspiracies and betrayals are common and the counters reset with each new race.
The series was never the same when fans discovered that Gunther is Italian and not German.
The revelation of this documentary series is undoubtedly Gunther Steiner, Haas team principal. The epitome of the flamboyant loser, this Italian with a strong German accent is especially popular with fans not only for his fists, his flowery language (he uses the word “spoof” about as many times as Al Pacino in Scarface) but also his eternal smile.
As with any series, there are good guys and bad guys in their destiny pilots. Gunther Steiner and his BFF Mattia Binotto (of the Ferrari team) are definitely on the side of good, as is champion of great causes Lewis Hamilton, the eccentric (and Petoman!) Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo on the driver’s side.
The bad boy camp is also well laid out. The most emblematic, of course, is Christian Horner, aka Mr. Geri Halliwell (yes, ex-Spice Girls), boss of Red Bull Racing. A born competitor, the latter considers only the first place, and those who do not share his point of view are removed from his stable.
His main rival is Toto Wolff, the director and co-owner of the Mercedes team, who appears in the first seasons as an arrogant man with his team’s multiple victories in the World Championship, especially thanks to the exploits of its star driver Lewis. Hamilton. His true colors will be revealed when his reign is threatened by the arrival of the Red Bull team and its young prodigy, Max Verstappen.
“May the best win” isn’t something Toto Wolff and Christian Horner ignore
Finally, if we were to compare series to series, he would have to be an evil billionaire, and needless to say, the ultra-rich Lawrence Stroll does a great job in that role. The Canadian businessman, supported by his main driver (except his son, Lance Stroll) had nothing to do with fair play when he decided to buy a carbon copy of the Mercedes car (then the most efficient on the circuit) for warranty. Good results for his team.
Splitting the series (usually starting with two teams fielding, practice on Friday, qualifying on Saturday, then the Grand Prix on Sunday) is also one of the series’ key strengths. Rarely has a show made us feel like we’re living in the shoes of an F1 driver, and the races offer a great show of sound and visuals in each episode.
The aesthetics of the series is also another main advantage of the program. With a comfortable budget, F1: Their Destiny pilots take us on a journey to the four corners of the planet, to the most emblematic circuits of the competition (Monaco, Barcelona, Monza, Silvestre, etc.), as well as to the team’s headquarters (special mention to the McLaren Technology Center in South West London) .
The results of the series are so great that it is even argued that the popularity that some of its heroes will face will influence the decisions made by the teams, which may explain why Gunter Steiner stays, despite the bad results. The team he leads.
Respect between these two great champions: Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Economically, too, the Netflix series has become a real asset for the FIA. According to AFP, 27% of French people said they were interested in F1 news in 2021 (compared to 23% in 2020), while the Grand Prix broadcast by Canal+ has seen significant audience peaks in recent years.
Although the 2023 season kicked off on March 5 at the Bahrain Grand Prix (won by Max Verstappen), Season 6 – which won’t air until 2024 – is already eagerly awaited by millions of Netflix subscribers around the world!
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
