Red Bull Team Principal, Christian Horner, Discloses Original Plans for "Formula 1: Drive to Survive" Were Significantly Altered

 

In a conversation earlier in the season, Christian Horner, the Team Principal of Red Bull, talked about the beginnings of the now renowned Netflix documentary series, Formula 1: Drive to Survive. He unveiled that the initial concept of the series was set to diverge significantly... until Formula 1 became actively engaged.

With the Formula 1 teams and drivers currently on a mandated, and well-deserved, summer hiatus, many of us are grappling with how to fill our time. Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes, has remained active by cycling in the Austrian mountains alongside his family. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri of McLaren faced a gentle rebuke from his mother for not taking a leisurely break. Some individuals might have resorted to watching re-runs of Netflix's "Drive to Survive" to relive the excitement of the track.

Undoubtedly, the anticipation for the Formula 1 season to recommence is shared by us all.

Fortuitously, the premier global motorsport event is set to take place in the Netherlands this week at Max Verstappen's home circuit, the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.

Verstappen and the Red Bull team must have certainly appreciated the break following an exceedingly rapid first portion of the season. They secured victory in 10 out of the 12 races possible in 2023, with teammate Sergio Pérez clinching the remaining two.

In essence, Red Bull has maintained an unrelenting pace. Their unmatched speed this year has led to the inevitable projection that their supremacy will become increasingly evident as each successive race week unfolds.

At moments, it seemed like Formula 1 was on the brink of becoming a single-team spectacle... a scenario Christian Horner disclosed nearly came to fruition.

"In the beginning, the concept for that show [Drive to Survive] was initially focused solely on Red Bull," the leader of Red Bull shared on the It’s Been A Minute podcast. "It was intended to be a behind-the-scenes glimpse, concentrating on Red Bull. They approached Formula 1 with the idea of creating a show about the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 Team. However, Formula 1 responded by saying, 'We can't limit this to just one Formula 1 team; it needs to encompass everyone.'"

Certainly, Red Bull could never have foreseen the monumental impact that Netflix's documentary series would have on the trajectory of F1. Nonetheless, the executives at Formula 1, particularly Liberty Media, recognized the significance of introducing a groundbreaking show to the sport.

Drive to Survive opened up one of the world's most exclusive racing events to countless new fans across the globe. It exposed them to the pure exhilaration and unparalleled enthusiasm within the sport, thereby captivating an entirely fresh audience.

"They came back to us and stated, 'We're still interested in pursuing this, but it will involve all the teams.' However, at that juncture, both Ferrari and Mercedes declined participation. Mercedes seemed to believe they could secure a better arrangement independently. Ferrari, on the other hand, exhibited their innate caution."

The inaugural season premiered on Netflix in 2019, and since then, the impact of the 'Drive to Survive effect' has progressively expanded. Notably, a record-breaking 570,000 viewers tuned in to watch Season 5 during its initial week, marking a 40% surge from the debut of Season 4.
This increased interest has undeniably translated into tangible viewership figures. ESPN disclosed that three out of Formula 1's four most significant live audiences in U.S. television history occurred during the 2023 season. The Miami Grand Prix garnered 1.96 million viewers for its second occurrence this season, while 1.79 million enthusiasts tuned in for the Monaco Grand Prix, and 1.76 million for the Canada Grand Prix in June.

"Right from the start, we embraced this opportunity and welcomed them to witness our reality. The success has been truly remarkable," Horner expressed with evident pride.

>>> Read more: Noteworthy Takeaways from NASCAR's Watkins Glen Event as the Conclusion Nears