Learn About The Human Side of Business by Streaming Drive to Survive

Here’s 5 reasons Netflix Formula 1 series is worth your time

A few days ago, after jumping into “Marie Kondo train” and going through all of the quarantine stages, I decided to make my way back to the online streaming service we all know about: Netflix. However, not to stream the trendy shows everyone was watching — because I already had seen all of them — but to find something different and unusual from where I could acquire knowledge. I desire to encounter the hidden gem nobody was raving about. That’s when my father — not me, unfortunately — uncover Formula 1: Drive to Survive.

The truth is that I never paid attention to the actual sport. I had other interests which were far from being related to F1. I wasn’t into the sport so why would I be interested in watching a series about it on Netflix? The thing is that I don’t have a concise answer to that question, but what I can tell you — from my experience — are 5 reasons why you would want to give Drive to Survive a spin as well:

1. It’s not just fast cars

When you think about F1, what’s the first word that comes to your mind? Speed? Well, it’s here where you are wrong.

Formula 1 it’s not only about cool and fast cars going around circuits, it is significantly more than that. It’s unlike any other because it is proficient in making you feel what drivers, team members, and the rest of the cast feel in one precise moment. You can sense the competition, the adrenaline and passion as if you were part of it. More than that, it makes you care, support, and be interested in someone you don’t even now. I can guarantee that, because I got to experience those sensations myself. I a slipt of a second I got emotionally attached to a few drivers and team members I knew anything about.

The series has everything you would want in a show, it goes from engineering, technology, history, business, teamwork, rivalry, money, glamour, strategy, exclusivity, etc to excitement, passion, relationships, overtakes, drama, struggles, fears, strength, and many others. All of those countless elements involved are what differentiates F1 from other series.

Therefore, it’s not only about people racing high-speed technical cars. This is real life, unlike a movie where characters are simply characters acting as directed. That’s what makes it so appealing and interesting. The emotions drivers and participants release are so sincere and authentic since they are taken from real-life experiences. There’s no acting here.

“The true miracle of this show is how it boils everything about this complex world (with its technologically advanced cars, thousands of complicated rules, inside-baseball politics, and longstanding rivalries) down to straightforward human stories that rise above it all.” Jacob Hall

“The first series was a hit, peeling away F1’s often robotic spectacle to reveal the contract discussions, clashes and emotions rarely seen in race weekend coverage.”James Elson

2. The behind scenes of a competition where life is at stake is what makes it compelling

Here’s where things get interesting. Formula 1 and Netflix production are exceptional at humanizing the participants of the show making it outstanding for learning about the not so seen sides of the business:

• The series allows you to see live reactions from drivers and team directors in numerous distinct circumstances where pressure is the predominant factor.
• It lets you distinguish the human side of the executive directors, and get to know the thoughts, goals, and perspectives of each person. In every episode, Netflix exposes the drivers and top team principals in their most vulnerable and successful moments.
• You gain an understanding of different styles of management, leadership, and teamwork in a motorsport business.
• It allows you to acknowledge how in a stressful position making a single mistake can cost them everything. And how they maneuver those situations to come out stronger. Therefore, decision making can be analyzed in each particular situation.
• You obtain notice of the vision, identity, and principles of each team.

That’s why everything you see behind the scenes is completely relatable. Because all of those situations take place every day in any business, company, entrepreneurship, and life issues.

3. It’s exhilarating

The drivers can hit speeds of 370kmh in seconds, and you get to watch how they manage to do it. It only takes a tiny mistake to leave behind the victory on the track. There are many times in which the teams have to confront external/internal incidents that can entirely impact their career in Formula 1, such as: climate, engine problems, disputes, health, etc. The racings are fascinating to watch since they put the Machine vs Man controversy into perspective, pushing limits to the next level.

“It is a game full of challenges, racing offers a fantastic look into the extremes of man and machine. A union that crosses the limits of speed.” Writer at pitpass

Netflix directors and filmmakers are top-notch at expressing sensations. The suspense and astonished emotions are managed as if we were talking about a Hitchcock thriller. In every episode, there’s excitement head by the live images, movement, the sound cars make before starting a race, the people screaming at the background, the lights turning green, the rivalry between drivers, the rhythm, the crashes, the race engineer talking through the radio to the driver, along with other moments. There’s so much going on that you can’t leave the screen for 1 minute, every second in this series is fundamental.

I’m not going to lie, the special part takes place when your favorite driver wins over another one in a Grand Prix. That’s the real moment of excitement.

“F1 has its fair share of drama and competition between teammates as well as competitors. Then there is the excitement of the actual race, dangerous for the driver, but a spectacle for the audience.” Writer at pitpass

4. You don’t need to be a hardcore F1 fan to enjoy it

I never thought I would be interested in watching Drive to Survive, neither I thought I would be writing an article about it.

When I decided to start my journey on F1 I wasn’t expecting much because I thought I wouldn’t be able to understand it neither enjoy it. I thought that this type of shows/documentaries were meant for people who already knew something about the subject. However, I was much surprised. I realized you didn’t have to be a fan to get the amazing emotions and feelings the fanatics acquire from the sport. You just need some free time and a Netflix account.

Even so, if you are a fanatic of F1 you are certainly going to get hocked anyways.

5. Things are always changing

The championship is 1 year long and worldwide, so in every Grand Prix location and tracks change. The circuits are specially constructed for the competitions, however, several circuits take place in urban locations like Monaco, Baku, etc. By doing so, F1 accomplish to maintain a sensation of dynamism and newness in each episode.

“There are a few sports that “travel” around the world, but very few exist where the location adds a sense of drama to the game itself. Take the winding roads of Monaco Grand Prix or the scenic beauty of the ones in Montreal.” Writer at pitpass

The driver’s line ups and performance go through transformations as well. They tend to change teams for many different reasons, but it’s certainly captivating to see when someone from the bottom gets to the top. Drivers and team members are continuously improving their performance and skills, pushing their abilities to the limit. Each race is a day for improvement and learning from failure.

“So, is Drive to Survive worth watching? Whether you’re an avid race fan or a casual observer, the answer is yes.” James Elson

After watching many other series and movies on Netflix during lockdown I can assure Drive to Survive has been the foremost so far. It’s a true-life drama series full of energy and competition, from which you will learn outstanding business aspects from a highly competitive sport, cheer and cry alongside the show.