Max Verstappen calls out “Drive to Survive” Season 7 for twisting truth: “I literally had the best time ever”

Max Verstappen has called out the Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive during a recent Twitch stream after the show made him look “upset” after the 2024 Miami Grand Prix.

McLaren’s Lando Norris, who is good friends with Verstappen outside of working hours, took home his maiden Grand Prix win at the Miami Dolphins Stadium in 2024. Taking full advantage of a well-timed safety car, the Papaya driver was able to pit at a time that maintained his lead over the Red Bull driver who pit ahead of the clash between Haas driver Kevin Magnussen and Williams’ Logan Sargeant.

From this point on, Norris’ confidence soared while his Dutch rival struggled to control his RB20 on the tight corners of the track. “I can’t get the car to turn, it’s a disaster,” he radioed through to his engineer.

The Briton finished first, 7.6s ahead of Verstappen.

“I might have more than just a scratch on my nose tomorrow!” he said after the race, laughing over the scratch that Season 7 of Drive to Survive gave so much attention. “I don’t care. But I’ll enjoy my time, this only happens once when you’re taking your first win, it’s nice to do it here in Miami.

“I was kind of hoping it was going to be at Silverstone,” said Norris, “but I’ll try to do it there as well.

“So tonight is going to be a good night.”

The docuseries is famous for exaggerating storylines. After all, its main aim is to entertain people, and this sometimes means twisting the truth. Or, as was the case of George Russell’s apparent win at Spa, ignoring what happened altogether. So, in the same vein, Verstappen was portrayed as being unhappy after the Miami race, with him failing to catch the McLaren driver after wrestling with his car.

“Apparently I was very upset after Miami,” he said, laughing. “I literally had the best time ever Sunday night, so I don’t know what I was upset about.”

Drive to Survive has undeniably transformed F1, amplifying its global appeal at a time it desperately needed a boost. But its dramatised storytelling has been a point of contention for many fans, starting debates about authenticity versus entertainment. Verstappen commented on this aspect of the show in 2023.

“Of course, I understand when you create a show, there needs to be drama, it needs to be exciting. But I’m a guy who finds it also very important that you’re portrayed well, and that they do not start to copy comments on the different kinds of footage while it didn’t happen like that.

“I had to explain it to them that that was my view. Otherwise, I didn’t want to be part of it. But yes, they understood.

“Let’s see, once it comes out, what they made of it. But I’m positive of course, because I know it’s also very important for Formula 1.”