As fans eagerly anticipate the release of the seventh season of Netflix’s popular Formula 1 documentary series, Drive to Survive, slated for March 7, 2025, intriguing behind-the-scenes details emerge. However, it’s revealed that not all electrifying moments make it to the final cut, a prime example being Daniel Ricciardo’s sensational win at the 2018 Chinese Grand Prix.
Ricciardo, fondly referred to as the ‘Honey Badger,’ has a storied Formula 1 career, with eight grand prix triumphs to his name. His stunning victory at the 2018 Chinese GP remains etched in the memories of F1 enthusiasts, where he showcased an overtaking masterclass. Fitted with fresh tyres under a Safety Car, Ricciardo overtook five rivals in a mere eight laps, crossing the finish line with a remarkable nine-second lead.
This was the inaugural season for Drive to Survive, and the crew managed to capture exhilarating footage centered around Ricciardo’s victory. Such content was expected to send fans of the Netflix series into a frenzy. Surprisingly, this footage never saw the light of day. As executive producer Tom Hutchings explained, the annual selection process for the show is rigorous, and certain content, no matter how amazing, just doesn’t find a place in the final series.
Hutchings further emphasized the show’s commitment to avoiding repetition of stories from previous seasons, thereby necessitating the exploration of fresh perspectives and narratives. Once the team is satisfied with the material on hand, it’s up to the editors to carve out the final product.
The upcoming seventh season marks Ricciardo’s last appearance on Drive to Survive. Following the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, Ricciardo was released from the Red Bull junior team, VCARB. His future in racing remains a topic of speculation.
However, David Coulthard, another Red Bull alumnus and a 13-time grand prix winner, believes Ricciardo’s contribution to F1 extends beyond the driver’s seat. In a conversation with digital F1 creator Lucas Stewart, Coulthard acknowledged Ricciardo’s charismatic personality as an invaluable asset to any F1 team.
Coulthard was quick to remind us that F1 is not a popularity contest, but a race against the clock. He candidly discussed Ricciardo’s unsuccessful stints with McLaren and VCARB. Despite these setbacks, Ricciardo’s celebrity status in the F1 community is undeniable, and Coulthard believes the driver could maintain this appeal by transitioning into the media space. He cautioned Ricciardo against taking a sabbatical with the expectation of maintaining the same level of interest upon his return.
As Netflix’s Drive to Survive gears up for its seventh season, fans worldwide are left to ponder the unseen footage of Ricciardo’s iconic 2018 Chinese GP victory and await the driver’s next move in the high-speed world of Formula 1.
