Get those engines revving, folks! Netflix’s addictive documentary series Formula 1: Drive to Survive is zooming back into our lives for its seventh season on March 7, and trust us, you’re not going to want to miss this one. Executive producer Tom Hutchings told Netflix’s Tudum that they’re focusing on “the best human stories” that will “pack a bigger punch,” which is basically code for “prepare for maximum drama.”
The beauty of Drive to Survive has always been its unprecedented access to the paddock – capturing those raw, unfiltered moments when drivers are celebrating victories, nursing wounded egos, or throwing shade at rivals. It’s those moments that have transformed F1 from a niche motorsport into a global obsession.
Whether you’re a die-hard petrolhead or someone who still doesn’t know what DRS stands for, this season promises to deliver high-octane entertainment as we follow every twist and turn of the 2025 season. Let’s break down all the drivers you’ll be obsessing over this season.
1. Lando Norris (25, McLaren)
Remember that baby-faced rookie we met back in Season 2? Well, Lando Norris has grown up a lot since then, and 2024 might finally be his moment to shine. The British-Belgian racer is still chasing that elusive first win in F1, but don’t let that fool you – he’s become a serious contender.
What makes this season particularly spicy is that Norris will be challenging his off-track bestie Max Verstappen, for supremacy on the grid. There’s nothing quite like a friendship being tested by competition, is there?
Norris has been steadily improving season after season, and the paddock is buzzing with speculation that this could be the year he finally stands on the top step of the podium. Will McLaren give him a car fast enough to make that happen? We’ll have to watch and find out.
2. Oscar Piastri (23, McLaren)
If you thought Oscar Piastri’s rookie season was impressive (and it totally was), get ready to see what this Australian wunderkind can do with a year of experience under his belt. Returning for his sophomore season in those eye-catching papaya colors, Piastri is the real deal – a driver that team principals across the paddock wish they had snatched up when they had the chance.
Not my average Tuesday night pic.twitter.com/lDHiyMuezh
— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) February 19, 2025
This year, he’s got two missions: rack up points for McLaren’s constructors’ championship hopes and – perhaps more intriguingly – challenge his more experienced teammate Norris for the number one status within the team.
The dynamic between these two young hotshots will be fascinating to watch, especially as McLaren looks increasingly capable of fighting for race wins. Will Piastri remain the respectful understudy, or will we see him bare his competitive teeth? Season 7 will tell all.
3. Carlos Sainz Jr. (30, Ferrari)
Talk about a guy with something to prove! Carlos Sainz Jr. was the only non-Red Bull driver to stand on the top step of the podium in 2023, which is pretty darn impressive when you think about how dominant those energy drink cars were.
But just when things were looking up for the smooth operator, Ferrari dropped the bombshell that shook the F1 world – Lewis Hamilton will be taking his seat in 2025. Ouch.
So now Sainz is essentially a lame duck driver, but don’t expect him to go quietly into the night. This season will showcase his hunt for a new team, and you can bet there will be plenty of behind-the-scenes negotiations, tense conversations, and probably a few doors slammed in frustration.
The big question is: Will Sainz use this as motivation to remind everyone just how good he is, or will the pressure of securing his future affect his on-track performance? Either way, it’s going to make for some seriously juicy television.
4. Charles Leclerc (27, Ferrari)
If Ferrari is a religion in Italy (and let’s be honest, it absolutely is), then Charles Leclerc is their chosen one. After five seasons with the iconic Scuderia, the Monegasque driver has firmly established himself as the darling of those passionate tifosi who wave their Ferrari flags with religious fervor.
What makes Leclerc such a compelling character is his combination of blazing speed and heartbreaking bad luck – especially at his home race in Monaco, where something always seems to go wrong.
2025 represents yet another chance for him to finally break that curse and win in the streets where he grew up. Beyond that, Leclerc has championship aspirations, and with Hamilton arriving, he’ll be eager to assert his position as Ferrari’s golden boy. The pressure is immense, but then again, pressure makes diamonds, right?
5. Max Verstappen (27, Red Bull)
Let’s be real for a second – Max Verstappen isn’t just good, he’s in the middle of building one of the most dominant legacies in F1 history. The Dutch lion roared his way to a third consecutive world championship in 2023, and he did it by winning an absolutely ridiculous 19 out of 22 races. That’s not just winning; that’s absolute demolition of the competition.
Drive to Survive has tracked Verstappen’s evolution from the hotheaded wunderkind to the calculated racing machine, and this season, we’ll get to see if anyone can even come close to challenging his supremacy.
Suiting up for DTM 2025 as Thierry kicks off his third consecutive season this April 💪 pic.twitter.com/ZpHVWNkck3
— Max Verstappen (@VerstappenCOM) March 7, 2025
There’s also that fascinating dynamic of being friends with Lando Norris off-track while battling him on it.
We’ve seen how competitive Max is – he’d probably race his grandmother and not give an inch – so expect some tense moments if McLaren starts regularly challenging Red Bull. Is a fourth title inevitable, or will 2025 finally be the year someone puts up a real fight against the Verstappen juggernaut?
6. Sergio Pérez (35, Red Bull)
Poor Checo. Imagine doing well enough to finish second in the world championship, scoring two race wins along the way, and still having everyone question if you’re good enough. Such is life as Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull.
The veteran Mexican driver finds himself in the most pressure-cooker seat in Formula 1, where good results are expected, not celebrated. What makes Sergio Pérez‘s story particularly compelling this season is that other teams are closing the performance gap to Red Bull, which means his job of delivering consistent points becomes even more crucial.
With younger drivers like Liam Lawson breathing down his neck for that coveted Red Bull seat, every race weekend becomes a referendum on Pérez’s future. Will the likable family man rise to the challenge, or will the constant pressure finally break him?
Either way, the cameras will be there to capture every bead of sweat, every sigh of relief, and every celebration or commiseration.
7. George Russell (27, Mercedes)
Remember when George Russell was just that talented kid in the backmarker Williams who everyone said deserved a better car? Well, now he’s got it, and he’s making the most of his opportunity at Mercedes. At the F175 Live event in London, Russell confidently declared:
I feel last year was probably my strongest season ever in Formula 1, and I feel I’m just getting stronger year-on-year.
That’s not just PR talk – the numbers back him up.
What makes this season particularly interesting for Russell is that he’s about to become the de facto team leader at Mercedes after Hamilton’s departure. Is he ready for that responsibility? Does he have what it takes to fill the enormous shoes of one of the greatest drivers of all time?
This season will give us plenty of insight into Russell’s mentality as he prepares for this massive career shift. Keep an eye on how he interacts with the team, especially in high-pressure moments – those little glimpses will tell us everything about whether he’s truly ready to lead the Silver Arrows into their next chapter.
8. Lewis Hamilton (40, Mercedes)
If you thought the Drive to Survive producers were throwing a party when they heard about Hamilton’s bombshell move to Ferrari for 2025, you’d be absolutely right. This is the kind of dramatic storyline that documentary makers dream about.
After winning six world championships with Mercedes and becoming synonymous with the Silver Arrows, Hamilton is donning the iconic red of Ferrari this year.
The emotions are going to be running higher than an F1 car’s RPM limit – from nostalgic team radio messages to tearful goodbyes from mechanics who’ve worked with him for years. Grab your tissues, folks – this one’s going to be an emotional rollercoaster.
9. Kimi Antonelli (18, Mercedes Junior Team)
Remember this name, folks – Kimi Antonelli. The Italian teenager is making his Drive to Survive debut this season, and according to producer Tom Hutchings, he’s about to capture hearts across the globe. Hutchings told Tudum:
Kimi is such a sweet kid, so lovable. I think everyone has a sneaking feeling that this is going to be a really exciting prospect for the future.
That’s TV producer code for “this kid is the real deal.” With Lewis Hamilton vacating his Mercedes seat, the timing couldn’t be more perfect for a Mercedes junior driver to make an impression.
The cameras will surely be following Antonelli’s every move this season – his training, his simulator work, his interactions with the current drivers – all building toward the tantalizing possibility that we might be watching the origin story of F1’s next superstar. Is he the chosen one to eventually replace Hamilton? The subplot thickens!
10. Liam Lawson (23, Red Bull/RB Reserve)
Talk about being caught in F1 purgatory! Liam Lawson got his big break in 2023 when Daniel Ricciardo broke his hand, and the Kiwi immediately impressed, proving he belongs on the grid. But in F1, talent isn’t always enough – timing and politics play huge roles too.
Now Lawson finds himself back in the reserve driver role, putting in countless hours of unseen work while waiting for another opportunity. He opened up about this frustrating limbo state to Tudum:
We put a lot of work in fitness-wise, working with the team to be ready for an opportunity. But when you don’t know when that’s going to be or if that’s going to happen, it’s really easy to lose sight of what you’re working towards.
That’s the brutal reality of being an F1 reserve – all of the work with none of the glory. This season, we’ll get an inside look at Lawson’s persistence, his training regimen, and the psychological challenge of staying motivated when your dream is tantalizingly close but still just out of reach.
11. Ollie Bearman (19, Haas/Ferrari Reserve)
At just 19 years old, British racing prodigy Ollie Bearman is getting his first taste of the F1 circus as a reserve driver for both Haas and Ferrari. What makes Bearman’s story particularly relatable is how he’s trying to balance the surreal world of Formula 1 with the normal life of a teenager.
Bearman confessed at the F175 Live press conference,
I’m glad that I can still put a normal T-shirt on and get away pretty easily. I can still live like a normal-ish 19-year-old, which is also important.
But how long will that anonymity last? Drive to Survive has a knack for turning relatively unknown drivers into household names overnight.
This season will give us a glimpse into Bearman’s development both as a driver and as a young adult navigating the high-pressure world of motorsport’s elite category. Will we witness the last moments of his “normal” life before fame inevitably comes calling?
12. Jack Doohan (22, Alpine)
Son of motorcycle racing legend Mick Doohan, Jack has been carving out his own legacy in four-wheeled racing. After a standout 2023 season that saw him finish third in the Formula 2 Championship, Doohan continues his patient wait in the Alpine reserve driver role.
Stoked to finally reveal our 2025 @alpinef1team livery at the #F175LIVE event. Let’s get this season underway! 👏 pic.twitter.com/QnvPFl5Kll
— Jack Doohan (@jackdoohan33) February 18, 2025
What’s particularly interesting about Doohan’s position is that he’s competing for attention not just on the track but on screen as well – his teammate Esteban Ocon is making the leap to movie cameos, blurring the lines between racing driver and celebrity.
This season of Drive to Survive will likely explore the different paths young drivers take while waiting for their big break – some focusing purely on racing, others diversifying their personal brand. The pressure is on, but will Drive to Survive‘s cameras catch him cracking or thriving?
13. Fernando Alonso (43, Aston Martin)
If there’s one driver who deserves the “ageless wonder” title, it’s Fernando Alonso. At 43 years old – an age when most drivers have long hung up their helmets – the fiery Spaniard is still fighting at the front of the grid. His move to Aston Martin initially raised eyebrows, but those doubters were silenced when Alonso racked up multiple podium finishes in 2023.
What makes Alonso such a fascinating character for Drive to Survive is his uncompromising nature and extraordinary racing IQ. He’s like the chess grandmaster of F1, always thinking several moves ahead. This season will give us more insight into how a two-time world champion keeps motivated after two decades in the sport, especially as he works with a team that’s still building toward championship contention.
14. Lance Stroll (26, Aston Martin)
Let’s address the elephant in the room – when your dad owns the team, people are always going to question whether you deserve your seat. That’s the reality Lance Stroll has lived with throughout his F1 career. But credit where it’s due: the Canadian showed remarkable grit in 2023, racing through a painful double-wrist injury suffered in pre-season to deliver some of his strongest performances.
This season, the cameras will capture the unique dynamic between Stroll and his teammate Alonso, a fascinating juxtaposition of earned reputation versus inherited opportunity.
Will Stroll continue to silence critics with his on-track performances? Will the pressure of driving for his father’s increasingly ambitious team weigh on him? And how does he handle being teammates with a legend who was winning championships when Stroll was just a toddler? The generation gap and contrasting paths to F1 make this one of the most intriguing teammate dynamics on the grid.
15. Esteban Ocon (28, Alpine)
When you drive for a French team as a French driver, the pressure hits differently. Esteban Ocon knows this all too well as he returns to the pink and blue Alpine car for another season.
But what’s particularly interesting about Ocon this year is his venture outside the racing bubble – he’s dipping his toes into Hollywood (or at least the Netflix version of it) with a cameo in the movie Honeymoon Crasher.
As he explained ahead of the F175 Live event:
A very good friend, French actress Michèle Laroque, wanted to put me in her movie in a little scene and I said yes straightaway because I wanted to see how it is being in the movie industry, see how different it is to what we usually do in Formula 1.
This kind of crossover appeal is exactly what Liberty Media has been hoping for with F1 drivers, and Drive to Survive will undoubtedly document this expansion of Ocon’s personal brand.
Will his newfound interest in acting distract him from his racing duties, or will the creative outlet actually help him find more balance and perform better on track? Either way, expect the cameras to follow Ocon on his journey between two very different worlds.
16. Pierre Gasly (29, Alpine)
Talk about a driver who’s been through the emotional wringer! Pierre Gasly’s journey from Red Bull golden boy to Red Bull reject to race winner with AlphaTauri and now to Alpine has been one of the most compelling storylines across multiple seasons of Drive to Survive.
Now entering his second year with Alpine after finishing just outside the top 10 in the 2023 championship, Gasly has something to prove. The all-French lineup at Alpine creates a fascinating dynamic – these two drivers share a nationality but certainly not a friendship. Their rivalry, which dates back to their karting days, has been simmering beneath the surface for years.
17. Nico Hülkenberg (37, Haas)
If you’re new to F1, you might not know the painful statistic that follows Nico Hülkenberg everywhere: he holds the record for the most F1 starts without ever standing on the podium. Ouch. Despite this dubious honor, “The Hulk” has earned massive respect throughout the paddock for his resilience and his Saturday magic – the man can extract qualifying performances that seem impossible given the machinery at his disposal.
Two years ago, Haas F1 and I started a journey together right here in Abu Dhabi.
I didnt have a permanent drive in F1 for three years, so I was very excited but honestly, I also had some doubts as to whether I could keep up with the extremely high pace in this sport over a full… pic.twitter.com/V5uxUNCnID
— Nico Hülkenberg (@HulkHulkenberg) December 8, 2024
After a brief hiatus from F1, Hülkenberg made his return with Haas in 2023 and immediately reminded everyone why he deserved a seat on the grid. This season, Drive to Survive will capture his continued renaissance at an American team that’s going through significant changes following the departure of the Netflix series’ breakout star, former team principal Guenther Steiner.
At 37, time is running out for the German veteran to rewrite his F1 legacy, and every race weekend becomes more precious – a narrative that’s tailor-made for the documentary’s emotional storytelling style.
18. Kevin Magnussen (32, Haas)
Kevin Magnussen or K-Mag, as he’s affectionately known in the paddock, has had one of the most unusual career trajectories in modern F1. Fired by Haas in 2020, only to be dramatically recalled right before the 2022 season when the team needed to replace Russian driver Nikita Mazepin – it’s the kind of comeback story that Drive to Survive producers dream about.
Now the Danish driver finds himself continuing his second stint with the American team, but in a very different environment following the shocking departure of team principal Guenther Steiner, whose colorful language and straight-talking approach made him a fan favorite across previous seasons.
The transition to new team principal Ayao Komatsu will surely be a central storyline for the Haas team segments. Magnussen’s aggressive driving style – which has earned him both admirers and penalties in equal measure – combined with his brutally honest interviews, makes him perfect Drive to Survive material.
19. Yuki Tsunoda (24, RB)
If F1 gave out awards for “Most Entertaining Team Radio,” Yuki Tsunoda would need to build a bigger trophy cabinet. The diminutive Japanese driver has become famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) for his colorful, expletive-laden outbursts that would make even Guenther Steiner blush.
But beyond the radio rants, Tsunoda has shown genuine growth as a driver, becoming more consistent and measured in his performances. Now returning to the same team – though it’s undergone a rebrand from AlphaTauri to simply “RB” – Tsunoda finds himself at a career crossroads.
Is he destined to remain in Red Bull’s junior team forever, or can he mount a serious challenge for promotion to the main squad? This season of Drive to Survive will likely explore Tsunoda’s maturation process both on and off track.
20. Daniel Ricciardo (35, RB)
Just when we thought we’d seen the last of the Honey Badger in F1, Daniel Ricciardo pulled off one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent memory. After a disappointing stint at McLaren led to his early departure, most fans assumed his F1 career was over – until Red Bull threw him a lifeline midway through 2023, replacing the underperforming Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri (now RB).
This season of Drive to Survive offers an incredible narrative arc for Ricciardo – from being one of the most coveted drivers on the grid to nearly washing out of the sport altogether, and now fighting for redemption and perhaps one last shot at the top team.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for the beloved Australian with the megawatt smile. At 35, this is likely his final opportunity to prove he still belongs among F1’s elite. The emotional journey – from the depth of his McLaren struggles to the cautious optimism of his return – will provide some of the most compelling human drama of the season.
21. Alex Albon (28, Williams)
Talk about a career rollercoaster! Alex Albon has experienced the dizzying heights of driving for a top team and the crushing lows of being dropped from Formula 1 altogether. Now firmly established at Williams, the Thai-British driver is on a mission to restore one of F1’s most historic teams to its former glory.
What makes Albon’s story so compelling is his remarkable resilience – many drivers would have been broken by the public nature of his Red Bull demotion, but Albon used it as fuel to come back stronger. In a candid moment with Tudum, he reflected on this journey:
I haven’t had the easiest journey, but I feel like my work ethic and my support structure with the people around me have been so important to me. I think [I’m] the person who never gave up.
This season, Drive to Survive will likely explore how Albon has evolved as a driver and a person since those difficult Red Bull days. He’s now the unquestioned team leader at Williams, a role that comes with both technical responsibilities and mentorship duties.
The cameras will capture his growing confidence as he helps guide the team’s development while regularly extracting performances from the car that seem beyond its capabilities. There’s something poetic about a driver who was once cast aside now being central to the revival of F1’s third most successful team.
To be still here in Formula 1 and to be able to say that I’m in a great team and living my dream is very special,
Albon told Netflix – words that hint at a deeper appreciation for his second chance in the sport.
22. Logan Sargeant (24, Williams)
Being the only American driver on the F1 grid should be a point of pride, but for Logan Sargeant, his rookie season in 2023 was more about survival than celebration. The Florida native endured a baptism of fire, with several crashes and incidents that not only damaged cars but also his confidence.
Now heading into his sophomore season, Sargeant is looking for that elusive fresh start – a chance to prove he belongs at motorsport’s highest level.
Zoom in bottom left 👀👊🏼 pic.twitter.com/6Oysue8oih
— Logan Sargeant (@LoganSargeant) December 1, 2023
What makes Sargeant’s story particularly interesting for Drive to Survive is the immense pressure he faces from multiple angles. First, there’s the weight of representing American interests in a sport that’s exploding in popularity in the United States.
Second, there’s the performance gap between him and his teammate Albon, which was glaring throughout 2023. And finally, there’s the harsh reality that F1 seats are limited and highly coveted – every underperformance puts his future in jeopardy.
23. Valtteri Bottas (35, Kick Sauber)
Remember when Valtteri Bottas was challenging for world championships alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes? Now the Finnish driver finds himself in a completely different racing universe, battling in the midfield with a team that’s in transition.
The former Alfa Romeo outfit has been rebranded as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber – try saying that five times fast! – as they prepare for Audi’s takeover in 2026. But don’t let the complicated name fool you – this is one of the most fascinating long-term projects in F1.
What makes Bottas such an intriguing character for this season of Drive to Survive is how he’s reinvented himself since leaving Mercedes. Gone is the clean-cut, corporate “wingman” to Hamilton, replaced by a more authentic, mullet-sporting, coffee-loving character who seems genuinely liberated by stepping out of the championship pressure cooker.
24. Zhou Guanyu (25, Kick Sauber)
When Zhou Guanyu joined Formula 1 in 2022, he made history as China’s first-ever F1 driver – a milestone that came with immense pressure and scrutiny from a nation of 1.4 billion people.
This season will likely explore Zhou’s unique position as a cultural pioneer in the sport. He’s not just driving for himself – he’s opening doors for an entire generation of Chinese motorsport enthusiasts. The cameras will capture how he handles this responsibility while also focusing on improving his on-track performances.
What’s particularly fascinating about Zhou is his journey from Ferrari Driver Academy member to fighting against the Scuderia on track – a full-circle moment that demonstrates just how unpredictable F1 careers can be. With the team’s transition toward becoming Audi’s factory outfit, Zhou’s performances in 2025 will be crucial in determining whether he has a long-term future in Formula 1.
The final lap: What to expect from Season 7
Formula 1: Drive to Survive Season 7 drops on Netflix on March 7, just in time to get your racing fix before the 2025 F1 season kicks into high gear. With so many compelling storylines – from Hamilton’s Ferrari bombshell to the rise of McLaren’s young guns, from Ricciardo’s last dance to Verstappen’s pursuit of a historic fourth consecutive title – this might just be the most drama-packed season yet.
Gear up…
Formula 1: Drive to Survive S7
Launching next week on @netflix, 7 March 🍿#F1 pic.twitter.com/7uZuJnTtuf
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 28, 2025
What sets Drive to Survive apart from traditional sports documentaries is its uncanny ability to capture not just the racing action but the human stories that unfold when extraordinary individuals pursue greatness in one of the world’s most demanding sports. It’s about the triumphs, the heartbreaks, the politics, the friendships, and the rivalries – all playing out at 200+ mph.
For longtime F1 fans, the series offers unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the drivers and teams we think we know so well. For newcomers, it’s the perfect gateway drug into the complex and thrilling world of Formula 1.
Either way, you’re guaranteed edge-of-your-seat entertainment that will have you counting down the days until the next Grand Prix weekend. So mark your calendars, prep your snacks, and settle in for the binge-watch of the season.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
