The latest installment of the Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive may not have received the best reviews, but Liberty Media boss Greg Maffei has revealed that it is the most successful ever in terms of viewership.
Many F1 drivers have spoken about the inaccuracy in the way rivalries are built up in the show. It has led Red Bull driver Max Verstappen to completely shun the show for its lack of authenticity, citing it as “fake”.
However, it has garnered a huge fan following across the globe, especially in the American continent, where F1 interest has reached an all-time high.
The fourth season of Drive to Survive focuses on a rivetting title battle between Mercedes and Red Bull as well as drivers Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen. It also contains many stories from around the paddock.
Although it has received a lot of fan backlash this year, Liberty Media is happy with the record viewership it has attained this year.
“We’re happy to report, and I think our Netflix friends would be happy to report, that it was the number one show in 33 countries around the world already,” Maffei said.
“The season four audience is already larger than the season three audience. So it’s a huge success.
“I think there are a lot of other factors that have helped drive our popularity, but that is certainly one that we don’t discount.”
Does the show lack accuracy?
The show has been labeled highly inaccurate. Lando Norris’ radio messages from one race were used in another while broadcasting the show, for example.
It is yet to be seen whether Drive to Survive will return to the paddock in 2023. The Netflix crew does, however, maintain a presence this year in the paddock.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has agreed with the fact that some misrepresentation has taken place in the show and is seeking to meet with Netflix officials to address this.
Did you enjoy the latest season of Drive to Survive? Let us know in the comments.
Read more: Which team has the heaviest car in F1 2022 and why are all except one over the weight limit?