Thoughts I Had While Watching Drive To Survive Season 8

Formula 1 returns on March 6, which means, it's time to binge the annual documentary-cum-reality show of the sport. Whether you hate watch Drive To Survive to point out all the times it deviated from actual events, or casually skim through it to catch up with the sport, you can't deny the show has become somewhat of a tradition at this point. After all, it's the closest glance we get to the lives of the people that make up the sport, beyond the interviews and the races themselves. Of course, the show is not rogue journalism, but it's a fun watch nevertheless.

This season however, Drive To Survive took a slightly different turn. We all know how drivers have been complaining for more privacy and time to focus on their races than sit and give interviews for a documentary. And so, this season, with only eight episodes instead of the usual ten, delves into a different group that the usual lot: the team principals. We get a lot more insights from them; we look into their thought processes, and the focus this year is on the vision that created for their teams, and how it panned out.

So here goes my thoughts, jotted down as I watched the show, with extra coverage for Nico Hulkenberg's Silverstone victory because that's how much love an underdog victory like that should get).

1. All that buildup and hype to introduce Kimi Antonelli with Tarantella Napoletana playing in the background is honestly hilarious. 
   

2. Those who watch the races would know that Kimi already is the official baby of the track, and I’m loving how the first episode endears him even more.
   

3. That little conversation between Lewis and Max discussing kids and fatherhood is such a good addition. Very wholesome uncle coded. Who would say they were out for each other's blood a few seasons ago?
   

4. I had no idea just how bad the hate for Jack Doohan was during his brief stint at Alpine. Prior experience aside, he was still a twenty-two-year-old rookie, driving a car that’s no better than a bullock cart, that too under a team principal who caused 2008's Crashgate just to win. Plus he had people threatening to kill him because Franco Colapinto is insanely charismatic? Absolutely vile.
   

5. Wait… are we only going to talk about Hülkenberg’s Silverstone podium for some 16 odd minutes? ARE YOU KIDDING ME THAT WAS THE BEST WIN OF THE SEASON. Come on!
   

6. Oh boy, Lewis Hamilton chasing Nico Hülkenberg is… something. As a Hamilton fan, it's heartbreaking to see that, but when you look at it from Nico's position, being chased by the seven-time World Champion on your way to the first podium of your life like that? It actually made it even better.
   

7. “Stay clean. No mistakes. Bring it home.” OH MY GOD HÜLKENPODIUM IS PEAK. The moment we have been waiting for is finally here. Formula 1 is so much more than fast cars going around in circles, and this win was proof of just how much a good strategy can make or break a race. I would rather they had made the episode more about Nico than the team principals, but the goosebumps I got in those last few minutes was so worth it.
   

8. That part where Wheatley says, “When you start to create a different culture, it blossoms around you.” Yes please. We really need more understanding team principals. Being a Formula 1 driver is difficult enough.
   

9. Drinking game: take a shot every time someone says “mega” in Drive to Survive.
   

10. Getting Nico Rosberg to comment on his clash with Lewis and the Lando-Oscar battle? Simply lovely. (Side note: I have been manifesting a Brocedes movie from Nico’s POV for ages now. Universe, please do whatever magic you do and make it happen. The lengths this man went to best his friend-turned-foe is insane.)
    

11. Am I losing my mind, or is this show actually making it look like Oscar Piastri is Zak Brown’s favourite child?
    

12. George Russell, you drama-loving DIVA. You totally got more screentime stirring up drama than you got for your win at Singapore. (But then again, how many F1 fans actually give him credit for being a good driver?)
    

13. Why are we getting two episodes of Silverstone?
    

14. Having Liam Lawson change his shirt like that was absolutely gutting. All that hype about his potential earlier this season, only to demote him after two races is truly tragic.
    

15. This The Bull With No Horns episode is basically the “If you have a problem, change your f****** car” meme come to life.
    

16. So, Christian Horner was sacked like that... because of the team failing to perform well?
    

17. Actually, you know what, Christian Horner leaving Red Bull is indeed the end of an era. Good job Netflix for making me feel for him despite everything that he has done. Also, a really good touch for the producers to add that message from Toto Wolff. Christian and Toto's rivalry was something to remember. 
    

18. That Carlos podium is the stuff poetic justice is made of. I'm more than satisfied with how they played it off. (Was it so difficult to give this treatment to Hulkenberg?)
    

19. Okay, I’m getting more than a little tired of seeing the same four people every episode. WHERE IS THE REST OF THE GRID? Where is Lance Stroll? Alonso only afters for that one episode? Where is Haas? 
    

20. Just how much are they paying Mercedes for George to say all the unhinged sh** this season? I have already seen the skincare products meme, and now that conversation over dinner.
    

21. That’s all we get about Kimi defending against Lando in Qatar? For God’s sake that hate campaign against the kid was vicious. It really could have made for a larger commentary on fan culture and the drivers' mental health.
    

22. Buxton: “An unrestrained carefree Max Verstappen is absolutely fucking terrifying”. I can smell the edits coming from miles away.
    

23. Wait, did they just not cover Lando’s comeback after the season break? So, it’s just Lando gunning for the Driver’s championship, Oscar outperforming him, and boom, he wins against Max?