Feature

Nico Hülkenberg: A driver's view on Netflix's Drive to Survive

Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team's Nico Hülkenberg has lifted the lid on his experience of working with Netflix's Drive to Survive while an active F1 driver.

Drive to Survive offers a behind-the-scenes view of F1 from within the teams. First hitting Netflix in March 2019, the series swiftly gained the trust of key members of the paddock, becoming appointment viewing for both die-hard and casual fans.

According to Box To Box Films, the producers of Drive to Survive, the series has had a clear impact on F1 interest: in 2018, a year before its premiere, 264,000 fans attended the United States Grand Prix. Three years later, that number grew to 400,000.

Nico remains part of the paddock as AMF1's reserve and development driver, and he explains how Drive to Survive has evolved and elevated interest in F1.

"I still remember the production for the first season of Drive to Survive," Nico writes in the latest Hulk Reports on LinkedIn. "'Netflix in Formula One? What are they doing here?'

"During our first encounters with the camera teams, the drivers weren't entirely clear about what they wanted in the paddock, and, above all, what the result would be.

"After some initial scepticism, however, I agreed to be filmed more often. And in retrospect, I have no regrets whatsoever.

"With the help of the documentary, many fans – especially new fans – understood what this sport is all about, how much politics is involved, the effort put in by the teams, and the high performance in F1.

"The makers of the documentary have found a good balance between Hollywood and reality. Sure, not everything is exactly as portrayed, but it is very entertaining, and available anytime and worldwide.

"The documentary has been a huge success in America, in particular. At no previous race weekend have I taken as many selfies with fans, and signed as many autographs, as I did in Austin in 2021, even though I am not racing currently.

"The fans recognised me because of my two featured episodes in the first two seasons.

"Most importantly, they [F1] are gaining younger viewers too."

Nico believes the rise in interest in F1 has come at the perfect time, coinciding with the new budget cap, which is designed to help level the playing field, and building on the dramatic conclusion to the 2021 campaign in Abu Dhabi.

F1 has also made strides in sustainability, beginning a transition to biofuels alongside greater efficiency in the V6 turbo-hybrid engines.

With the help of AMF1's Strategic Partner, Aramco, efforts are underway to meet Formula One's target to be powered entirely by sustainable fuels by 2025.