The fourth season of the popular Netflix F1 docuseries Drive to Survive is set for release at some point this year but, despite his titanic battle with Lewis Hamilton being the main storyline of the 2021 F1 season, Max Verstappen will not be a contributor. The Dutch driver confirmed towards the end of last year he has no interest in appearing as a direct participant in the show, having made it clear that he was not happy with how he, and other drivers, had been portrayed in previous seasons. The show has been criticised for occasionally distorting the reality of a situation – a glaring example being of a supposedly contentious rivalry in 2020 between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz, when the reality was the pair were close friends and widely known for their 'bromance'. Verstappen will certainly be in the new series through existing footage, given his prominent status in the sport, but confirmed he did not record any specific pieces to camera for Netflix. "I understand that it needs to be done to boost the popularity in America," Verstappen told The Associated Press. "But from my side as a driver, I don't like being part of it."
Ecclestone backs Verstappen's stance
Verstappen explained his reasoning for taking the decision, saying he preferred truth and factual events to become the narrative. "They faked a few rivalries which they don't really exist, so I decided to not be a part of it and did not give any more interviews after that, because then there is nothing you can show," he continued. "I am not really a dramatic show kind of person, I just want facts and real things to happen." Acknowledging there is no way he can avoid being in the show entirely after a year spent fighting for the title, Verstappen joked a minor clash with Hamilton during their title fight will likely make the final cut. "Probably in the Netflix show we will be [shown as rivals]," Verstappen said. "We one time bumped into each other walking, so probably that will be in there." Verstappen's refusal to take part has the support of former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who ceded control of the sport in 2016 prior to the Netflix show starting in 2018. "I'm a realist and I know it's not going to be very real," Ecclestone told Reuters . "I know how these guys act and think and do, a lot of them. "When you see things that you know are completely wrong, then maybe I'd get a bit like Max and get a bit upset."
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