Max Verstappen names one thing he ‘hates’ about featuring on Drive to Survive

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F1 world champion Max Verstappen has explained why he doesn’t like the ‘Drive to Survive’ Netflix series.

Red Bull driver Verstappen has previously refused to appear in the documentary.

And speaking to The Project ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, he explained his stance.

Netflix introduced the behind-the-scenes series in 2019 and it has now run for six seasons, each documenting a year of racing.

Teams have granted camera crews access to their facilities, and drivers have carried out interviews.

Verstappen boycotted the fourth season of the show, which was based on his title-winning 2021 campaign.

The Dutchman felt that some of the storylines were misleading.

However, he subsequently held talks with producers and agreed to return for the fifth instalment.

The 26-year-old is currently the dominant driver in F1, having won the last three championships.

Max Verstappen critical of Drive to Survive format

Verstappen feels he can’t show his true self in his interviews for the show.

He doesn’t like the fact that producers insist on discussing ‘just F1-related stuff’ and doesn’t feel the set-up brings out ‘the right side’ of him.

He said: “You don’t really see a lot of me on Drive To Survive, because I don’t like doing it. 

“You probably don’t see the right side of me, because it’s just an interview, I’m just sitting down in a dark room and I hate that.

“There’s always questions about just F1-related stuff, which I don’t like to talk about.”

Netflix filming an era of Verstappen dominance

While Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton were victorious in the first three seasons of the Drive to Survive era (2018 and 2020), Verstappen has been on top since.

The former Toro Rosso driver now ranks third on F1’s all-time victory list (56) after surpassing Sebastian Vettel (53) at the end of last season.

Only Hamilton (103) and Michael Schumacher (91) have stood on the top step of the podium more often.

If Verstappen wins the Australian GP this weekend, he’ll match his own record of 10 straight, set between Miami and Monza last year.

Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas feels his current stranglehold is ‘concerning’ for the spectacle.

However, former teammate Alex Albon says ‘it’s a shame’ that some are calling Verstappen’s ongoing success boring.