Teams have fed back to Netflix over perceived dramatisation

As criticism of Netflix’s Drive to Survive grows, McLaren CEO Zak Brown says the drivers must understand that it helps pay their salaries.

But he conceded Formula 1 needs to “tighten up” the over-dramatisation.

Several drivers have voiced their displeasure at the docuseries and how it takes snippets and creates the story line that best serves it.

Max Verstappen has been very vocal in his criticism, the Red Bull driver refusing to participate in the filming of the fourth series, the one in which he beat Lewis Hamilton to the World title.

Brown, though, says the drivers – and everyone else in Formula 1 – needs to look at the bigger picture.

“I think Netflix has been outstanding for Formula 1,” the McLaren CEO said. “I’m happy we’ve renewed another couple of years.

“You know, our whole ecosystem starts with the fan and when you get the fan, you have countries that want to hold races, you have broadcasters that want to spend money and broadcast our event, which then all trickles down to the racing teams, which then allows us to pay all the salaries of the men and women that work at our racing teams, drivers included.

Max Verstappen: Netflix made Norris look like a d**k

“I know Lando… He’s a funny guy, a great guy, he has a great character and when you look at that episode you think ‘who is this guy, what’s going on?”https://t.co/SnkBTXRlus #F1 pic.twitter.com/4LIxHCq0cd

— PlanetF1 (@Planet_F1) March 27, 2022

“And I think sometimes there’s a disconnect by various people in the sport and I’m not just saying drivers, that don’t kind of piece together and when they say I don’t want to race here, I don’t want to do this or I don’t want to be on that that the ecosystem ultimately all feeds down to all of us making a living out of this great, great sport.

“So I think we need to stay fan focused, recognise what Netflix has done for our sport.”

But, he added: “I think we can maybe tighten up some of the way they show…