Formula 1 - Drive To Survive S4 review: This series almost races to the finish line only to squeal during a reverse

Formula 1: Drive To Survive season 4 is perfect up until the last two episodes. Then the makers pull a reverse and you get a hint that it is time to retire the car (here, retire the subject of rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen's Mercedes and Red Bull) before it causes further damage (which it does with an almost lukewarm finale).

Formula 1: Drive To Survive - Max Verstappen.

Formula 1: Drive to Survive Season 6

Story:

As Formula One drivers get back on the racing track in 2021, so does the series covering their race journey. Drive To Survive gives an inside detail about every racer in a fun and factual way, all while covering the crucial race moments too.

Review:

Formula One's series might be named Drive To Survive but the title no longer applies. Now, the series has shifted its focus on Drive To Win, almost completely sidelining every player but the two winners of F1, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

The race between Max and Lewis gets from the racing track to the series. Once again, it is only about the two teams - Mercedes and Red Bull. The two get into major accidents, the most dramatic being Verstappen almost blowing Hamilton's head off in Monza, Italy. The makers have banked on their rivalry pretty well and even had to put in lesser efforts because all the accidents really happened.

All the players and teams that changed get a special mention. From Daniel Ricciardo switching to McLaren with other players switching to other teams to Michael Schumacher's son Mick Schumacher entering F1 with two new rookies and Fernando Alonzo making his comeback, 2021's F1 racing was definitely upbeat and the series covers that subtly.

Ricciardo being one of the favourites in the sport, hogs limelight this time around too. However, he fails to keep up with the matches. His dramatic downfall while Lando Norris stood tall once again as a McLaren driver is a huge hit on the face. His frustration is captured well in the 'Staying Alive' moment and later, crashing into Gasly. It is thanks to his extreme lows that his first win comes as a huge and pleasant surprise. Similarly, Norris' sudden crash in the rains during Spa (Belgium)'s race is sure to grab your attention.

Toto Wolff, who keeps Mercedes together as the principal for seven years, has his own swag this time around too, which is explored in this season. Similarly, his competitor Christian Horner is as savage as they come. He has always been no-nonsense and you see that this time too.

The one thing that Drive To Survive always gets right is showing how a woman stands behind a man. While we previously saw how Christian's wife Geri takes care of the house in his absence, this time around we also meet Toto's wife Susie. One glimpse and you see how she exhibits equal to more power than the Mercedes principal himself.

The drama and suspense is kept intact in this season thanks to the music and of course, the lovely sound of the cars racing. The crashes, especially during the rains, are one of the biggest highlights of the season.

The small moments that shows the F1 drivers closest buddies, is what makes Drive To Survive special. The makers do a fairly good job at that in this season too.

The year 2021 witnessed the downfall of Mercedes after having monopoly over the game for seven long years. You see that with the mechanics failing and the winners (mainly Hamilton) complaining about their car having no speed. For the first time ever, you see cold air between Toto and Lewis, as the former complains about the latter, on camera! On the other hand, Red Bull, specifically Verstappen, won podiums back-to-back.

Alpha Tauri driver Yuki Tsunoda's first race was an epic fail. While a promising player, he is mostly sidelined in the race and the series as well, mainly because his career didn't particularly take off. His preparation and little steps are shown in detail through a few episodes.

We also meet team Alpine that took Esteban Ocon back in the race. Formerly known as Renault, it was not only the brand name that changed. Cyril (you would remember him from his hot-and-cold equation with Ricciardo in 2020) was replaced by Laurent Rossi. Considering everything is realatively knew, the pressure and eyes on this team are immense. Fernando Alonso also made his comeback into F1 with the team and his equation with Ocon is the only focus here.

Not just Esteban but even Sebastian Vettel, who had been coming last in the races during his association with Ferrari, actually got the podium after his switch to Aston Martin. This, of course, was a huge moment for him but unfortunately, it wasn't covered in depth in the series.

Monaco's dramatic match - Charles LeClerc getting out of the race in his own hometown, when clearly the public were rooting for him in majority - is covered well. Meanwhile, former McLaren team member, who is now with Ferrari managed to get the sports car back in the game by coming P2 in the race. Just when you think it couldn't get any worse, it did. Daniel Ricciardo fails to catch up to his new system even in this race, leaving his career in F1 racing at huge stake. His teammate Lando Norris, on the other hand, finishes at P3.

For the first time ever, a Formula One driver's personal life is on focus and not just any driver but Red Bull's star Max Verstappen. His lip kiss with girlfriend (expected to be wife soon) Helly is captured on camera and it is sure to grab your attention. Max has been divided between work and his personal life since the couple even has a baby now.

From LeClerc suddenly losing the Monaco race to Verstappen's huge accident after crashing with Lewis Hamilton's car in Silverstone (UK), the drama in this season just doesn't stop and we love it! The series also specializes in showing the two sides of people. As always, Geunther shines in that aspect.

After Haas driver Grosjean survived the fire accident in 2020, all eyes were upon the team in 2021. The team we talk about consists of legendary Michael Schumacher's son Mick and Haas investor's kid Nick Mazepin. While Mick has a legacy to stand up to, Mazepin barely survives the matches. If that doesn’t scream drama, we don't know what will impress you.

2021 was also the year Williams' principal Claire Williams stepped down and Jost Capito took over. It was a major move since Claire's father Frank (deceased in 2021) actually co-founded the company. The series shows what changed and what didn't with the company that has been continuously at the last position since a few years now. Williams has been in news because of Nicholas Latifi's car catching fire after a break failure and it is exactly the kind of thing he warned about, back in 2021 itself.

At long last, Mercedes' most-ignored driver Valtteri Bottas' life also comes into light. Soon after, George Russel replaces him in the team. Of course, he is pressurized to match up to Hamilton which is a huge deal considering the driver broke even Michael Schumacher's record. Valtteri and George even fought it out on the race track and it was nasty! That is covered well considering you just get to know the back story on their rivalry.

The series' obsession with this rivalry is evident since it began and ended with that. While you cannot blame Drive To Survive when that is the case in real life, dedicating many episodes just to prove there is tension between the two teams is nothing but a drag and making things so obvious, like you aren't smart enough to understand what is happening in just one episode or even a glimpse.

The makers do have a pretty good reason to add the element and it involves Max's big victory but they could have rather focused on that than the rivalry. Not that the clash of the titans is unwelcomed but at this given point, it's just too obvious to see more of it.

Verdict:

Go on and watch Drive To Survive season 4. It is way better than season 3, thanks to all the changes that happened in 2021. However, some things do not change like F1's obsession with Lewis Hamilton and the person who can and did replace him, Max Verstappen. If you love these clear winners and are okay seeing more of them, go ahead with the series. If not, go watch the races with hopes that someone new gives these two some competition so we get to see newer faces on the podium and in the series.

Share

Where To Watch