The Netflix docu-series Drive to Survive was a fascinating watch which had sustained periods of drama, entertainment and just some hardcore racing.
However, as is the case with all limited series, it failed to capture each and everything that happened through the course of the season.
Part of the reason may also be attributed to the fact that recording was done in a very different environment and style, with the crew literally camping with one particular team through the race weekend.
Notable omissions from the series include Nico Hulkenberg’s fabled return to the sport, George Russell’s Mercedes debut with Lewis Hamilton out due to testing positive for coronavirus.
Perhaps none of them was as significant as the Williams family saying goodbye to the sport.
The family has been associated with the sport for over 40 years now, with Frank Williams tasting plenty of success in the early years.
When the decision was finally made to sell the team to Dorilton Capital, it was definitely worth documenting. However, this is not even mentioned once in the series.
Claire Williams, daughter of Frank, had been handling the team’s affairs in recent years.
Her husband Marc Simon Harris took to instagram to express his utter disappointment at the fact that the series did not include anything about what was such a significant moment in the season.
It could merely be a case of the Netflix crew not having the ability to capture the event unfold in light of the way they were forced to film the series.
Marc Harris did not buy this argument. “It’s easy to say there wasn’t access granted,” he said.
“No, access wasn’t granted to any film crew (other than the Williams own) to the very private moments when Claire had to tell the team that the family were having to sell and leave the sport they love and breathe for.
“But an abundance of footage was made available by the team and all crews had access at all other times. What a shame it wasn’t used.”
Purists have not always been at ease with the way in which the series portrays certain events. Max Verstappen has previously alluded to how it relies heavily on sensationalism and how a “lot of it is fake”.
Did you enjoy watch F1 Drive to Survive? Let us know in the comments section below.
Read more: “He reminds me a lot of Michael Schumacher”: Kimi lauds Mick’s attitude despite family name