Drive to Survive

Former world champion SLAMS Drive to Survive for completely changing F1 fanbase

Joe Ellis Thursday 10 August 2023 22:57

Former world champion SLAMS Drive to Survive for completely changing F1 fanbase

Two-time Formula 1 world champion Mika Hakkinen believes that Netflix's documentary series Drive to Survive has 'lost the previous generation' of fans.

The mightily popular Netflix show has provided the platform for F1 as a sport to boom to popularity for a whole new audience.

Without the Netflix production, those fans may not have stumbled across F1 and provided a huge injection shot into the arm of many in the paddock.

Hakkinen, though, thinks that same group of fans and the engagement they have shown is driving away the more traditional motorsport fan.

Hakkinen: A sport reborn

Netflix's fifth season of Drive to Survive was released in February earlier this year

"The sport has literally been reborn," Hakkinen told Iltalehti. "The new owners have brought a new generation to the sport. I feel like we lost the previous generation.

"People are interested in people. If they aren't brought to the attention of new fans, they won't get excited. We have now learned from this.

"Quite a show has been made of it, not everything is as it is presented.

"I want to meet people face to face and talk to them. I want to see what they are like in reality, not when they perform."

Latest News

GPFans Recap

Lewis Hamilton devastated in Jeddah as star ruled out at Saudi Grand Prix - F1 Recap

2 hours ago

F1 Social

Lewis Hamilton involved in embarrassing Saudi Grand Prix blunder

3 hours ago

F1 News & Gossip

Max Verstappen issues statement on F1 future after Red Bull doubts confirmed

Yesterday 21:57

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

F1 2025 Saudi Grand Prix weather forecast - Latest from Jeddah

Yesterday 21:45

Saudi Grand Prix

FIA announce Lewis Hamilton penalty verdict after 'dangerous' Saudi Grand Prix incident

Yesterday 21:07

Saudi Grand Prix

Red Bull star in session-ending smash as red flags waved at Saudi Grand Prix

Yesterday 20:08

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2025

GP AUSTRALIA 14 - 14 Mar

GP BAHRAIN 11 - 11 Apr

Oscar Piastri

GP SAUDI ARABIA 18 - 18 Apr

GP USA 2 - 2 May

GP ITALY 16 - 16 May

GP MONACO 23 - 23 May

GP SPAIN 30 - 30 May

GP CANADA 13 - 13 Jun

Complete kalender 2025

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY