Drive to Survive back for Series 5

Drive to Survive, the hit Netflix series which has played a significant role in turbocharging Formula 1’s popularity in recent years – especially in the US – is back for a fifth series and available to watch now.

The latest instalment shows the docu-drama fully settled into its role as the acceptable face of F1.

Whilst aficionados might pick holes in the Drive to Survive approach, it still serves up a now-signature rollicking ride of high-definition glamour shots, slow-motion crashes and over the top sound effects.

Previous series showed pedigree in lifting the lid on the secretive grand prix paddock, and the new season centres once more around backstairs intrigue erupting into full-blown inter-team warfare.

The bitter feud between Alpine and McLaren over Oscar Piastri’s services – triggered in part by a slightly Machiavellian Fernando Alonso – is played out over two brilliant episodes, while there’s trouble further down the grid too.

Amusing ‘at home’ scenes show a typically animated Haas boss Guenther Steiner tending to his barbecue, occasionally pausing to swearily curse Mick Schumacher’s latest GP crash.

A driver’s career hanging in the balance is familiar dramatic ground for DtS, and viewers will feel some sympathy for the 23-year-old German’s plight as he desperately attempts to stay afloat.

The phrase Drive to Survive is now as synonymous with F1 as the Cosworth DFV or Marlboro Reds branding, and filming is already underway for DtS season six.

The over dramatised style might leave some viewers feeling distinctly cold at times, but this is the new reality of the F1 world.