The System 1 2024 season is already on the way in which: vehicles’ unveilings have been held, pre-season winter assessments in Bahrain have been accomplished, and the groups are primed for motion, eagerly awaited by followers. Nevertheless, because of Netflix, we are able to revisit the 2023 championship season by way of the lens of the just lately launched sixth season of Drive to Survive. As is customary, the season guarantees drama, acute-angle filming of conditions, and loads of Guenther Steiner. Let’s delve into the episodes and discover the fascinating moments captured by the Netflix workforce.
Click on right here to subscribe to our print edition!
The 2023 Formula 1 World Championship season was notably shiny. It showcased Max Verstappen’s good victories, Pink Bull’s dominance, and fierce competitors for locations within the Constructors’ Cup amongst different groups. All through the season, there have been quite a few ups and downs: Aston Martin’s spectacular begin to Ferrari’s podium returns and the final word loss to Mercedes within the WCC on the remaining Abu Dhabi race to Haas’s plummet to the underside of the standings. The sixth season of Drive to Survive encapsulates many of those moments throughout its ten episodes, which had been just lately launched. Most comply with an identical narrative:
- Groups dealing with challenges
- Leaders beneath strain
- Drivers liable to shedding seats
- In the end, overcoming obstacles collectively
Nicely, let’s discover.
Episode 1: Cash Talks
This episode focuses on Aston Martin. Staff proprietor Lawrence Stroll units bold targets for 2023 to shake up the highest 4. With Fernando Alonso becoming a member of, expectations soar. Regardless of Lance Stroll’s harm earlier than the season’s first Grand Prix, Aston Martin impresses in Bahrain, with Alonso securing third place and Stroll sixth, demonstrating resilience and prowess. Netflix added appeal to this story by exhibiting this example from all sides. Though Bahrain set a transparent trajectory for the season, and the intrigue of the title struggle was misplaced, it promised us shiny fights between different drivers within the peloton, which continued all through the season.
Episode 2: Fall from Grace
Episode two shifts the main target to Daniel Ricciardo and Nyck de Vries. Christian Horner’s disappointment over Ricciardo’s departure from Pink Bull years in the past contrasts with de Vries’s difficult begin with Alpha Tauri. Pink Bull’s philosophy calls for victory, creating intense strain on drivers. De Vries’s mid-season alternative by Ricciardo highlights System 1’s unforgiving nature, emphasising outcomes over sentiment.
Episode 3: Underneath Stress
McLaren takes centre stage within the third episode, striving to rebound from a disappointing earlier season. Expectations run excessive with Zak Brown main and younger expertise like Oscar Piastri becoming a member of. Nevertheless, early races reveal McLaren’s unpreparedness, prompting introspection and strategic enhancements. The episode’s climax was held at Silverstone, with Lando Norris ending second and Piastri fourth, underscoring McLaren’s hard-earned triumph.
The episode is devoted to the reminiscence of Gil de Ferran, who died in 2023.
Episode 4: The Final Chapter
The fourth episode delves into the struggles of Haas and Williams. James Vowles’s transformative management at Williams contrasts with Guenther Steiner’s scepticism at Haas. Each groups navigate challenges, in search of stability and progress amidst adversity. Alexander Albon’s spectacular efficiency in Canada symbolises Williams’s resurgence. On the similar time, Haas can’t earn factors for a number of races in a row.
Episode 5: Civil Struggle
Episode 5 explores the strained relationship between Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly. Regardless of childhood reminiscences, their on-track clashes reveal underlying tensions. Alpine’s efforts to reconcile the drivers spotlight the fragile steadiness between cooperation and rivalry, underscoring the workforce’s unity as a precedence. If the drivers put their rivalry above the workforce’s pursuits, this enmity generates negativity, and cracks can attain the very high…
Episode 6. Leap of Fait
The sixth episode chronicles Lewis Hamilton’s enduring dedication to Mercedes amid waning competitiveness. Hamilton’s pursuit of an eighth title amidst workforce challenges displays Mercedes’ relentless pursuit of excellence. Regardless of setbacks, Hamilton’s resilience and willpower underscore his unwavering dedication to success. “My aim is to return to the highest, and I wish to turn into a champion once more. However I get into the automotive, and I really feel prefer it’s the dual of final yr,” Hamilton says.
Our automotive doesn’t permit us to attain our targets. The profitable workforce combines a number of components: the suitable individuals in the suitable place with the suitable perspective and values. Our primary downside is the automotive’s effectivity; we’re on the lookout for optimisation choices and making an attempt to unravel the issue.
Toto Wolff
Staff Principal & CEO, Mercedes AMG Petronas
In Barcelona, the workforce brings updates and desires to indicate the effectiveness of enhancements. Hamilton and George Russell completed in second and third place, respectively. Hamilton indicators a brand new two-year contract with Mercedes.
Episode 7: C’est la Vie
Netflix as soon as once more attracts viewers’ consideration to the Alpine workforce. Towards the background of disappointing outcomes and friction between the drivers, the house owners are placing extreme strain on administration. All this results in personnel adjustments. Bruno Famin took over for Otmar Szafnauer. It’s sufficient to concentrate to the latter’s phrases throughout an interview within the paddock when Szafnauer mentioned that he had no plan B.
Szafnauer’s abrupt management change underscores the workforce’s quest for unity amidst adversity. Pierre Gasly’s podium end at Zandvoort symbolises Alpine’s resilience and collective spirit.
Episode 8. Forza Ferrari
The eighth episode celebrates Ferrari’s resurgence beneath new management, epitomising Italy’s ardour for motorsport. Followers of the workforce will probably be most on this episode. For sure, in Italy, honouring your favorite workforce is sort of a non secular feeling. Tifosi displays each step of the drivers and pays nice consideration to any adjustments within the workforce.
Fred Vasseur’s management rejuvenated Ferrari’s aggressive spirit, culminating in a strategic victory in Singapore. Ferrari’s triumphs impressed renewed hope and willpower inside the workforce.
Episode 9: Three’s a Crowd
Alpha Tauri’s tumultuous season unfolds within the ninth episode as Yuki Tsunoda contends with altering teammates. Liam Lawson’s emergence as a promising expertise amidst shifting dynamics highlights the challenges and alternatives in System 1’s aggressive panorama.
With Tsunoda, we may have stability and continuity, and Ricciardo must hone his type and motivation, which he had throughout his time at Pink Bull.
Christian Horner
Staff Principal, Pink Bull Racing Honda
Lawson received an opportunity to show himself, however he had but to drive an F1 automotive a lot, after which there was the Singapore Grand Prix. This stage takes work. However in qualifying, Lawson knocked Verstappen out of the High 10. Within the race, he made the primary productive end for the workforce and earned factors. It is a huge achievement for a younger driver. In Japan, Lawson got here eleventh. He overtook Tsunoda, however they nonetheless signed Ricciardo.
Episode 10. Pink or Black
The tip of final season was devoid of virtually all intrigue. Lengthy earlier than the ultimate Grand Prix, the Pink Bull workforce took first place within the Constructors’ Cup, and Verstappen grew to become the champion for the third time in a row. The principle intrigue remained within the struggle for second place—Ferrari or Mercedes. All the things needed to be determined over the last stage of the season—the Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi.
However earlier than the ultimate race, the episode first takes us to Las Vegas! The circuit has introduced its blacks to the racing calendar. As well as, she added spice—not one of the drivers had been accustomed to the tracks, which enormously equalised the possibilities. In line with the Grand Prix outcomes, the hole between the 2 groups was solely 4 factors.
All the things is being transferred to Abu Dhabi. Netflix historically provides drama earlier than the ultimate present. However in the long run, Mercedes beat Ferrari by 3 factors extra, changing into vice-champions within the Constructors’ Cup.
Because of watching all Drive to Survive S06 episodes, there’s a feeling that the 2023 season is full of flat strain and overcoming difficulties for every workforce. Every episode affords a glimpse into the relentless pursuit of excellence, underscoring System 1’s fascinating mix of competitors, drama, and human endeavour. As groups navigate the highs and lows of the game, they embody the spirit of resilience and willpower, enriching the System 1 narrative for followers worldwide.