Drive to Survive 7: F1’s dark lord returns

The future of the Jack [Doohan], I control you every millimetre.” These are the chilling words of new Formula 1: Drive to Survive star Flavio Briatore in Netflix’s just-released Season 7.

The Italian’s return to F1 as Alpine’s adviser is central to the latest instalment of DtS. The wildly successful series has trodden dangerously boring waters in recent years – can the show use grizzled warhorses like Briatore, as well as ever-present Red Bull boss Christian Horner, to conjure up some fresh magic?

The first episode gets off to a flying start with a couple of bombshells – Lewis Hamilton going to Ferrari and Horner’s (since dismissed) workplace misconduct allegations. Cameras catch Horner perched on the pitwall at the moment WhatsApp messages related to his case are leaked to journalists. The beleaguered boss sits there as his phone lights up, while Adrian Newey watches on grim-faced.

Playing up to his sometimes villainous personality, Horner is compelling, central also to the Norris vs Verstappen and downfall-of-Pérez/promotion-of-Lawson episodes. He’s both antihero and decent pundit. It’s a good job too considering the contribution of his drivers: Verstappen is largely absent and Sergio Pérez has little of interest to say.

Despite that, the episode that centres around the beleaguered Mexican’s demise is one of the best: Pérez appears to have no answer off-track just as he doesn’t on-track. Netflix shows Red Bull ready to dump him mid-season for Daniel Ricciardo, but the Australian’s own abject form stops that plan.

DtS gives full coverage of the Carlos Sainz saga too. Williams boss James Vowles keeps penning love letters to the Spaniard: “I go to sleep and wake up thinking of nothing else.” Blimey! Instead of initially signing a contract, Sainz stands up to the Williams boss, but why? Because of Briatore. Alpine’s returning dark lord is the other personality who makes Season 7 – he’s the godfather-send Netflix has been praying for. Briatore takes no prisoners. He says the car is “shit” and fires Esteban Ocon.

Sadly, the rest is pretty beige. The race sequences are especially boring. Necessary to the Netflix-based fan who might tune in to the occasional GP, any diehard will be sorely tempted to skip ahead.

An episode where some drivers are given phones to record their Singapore GP weekend promises a lot and delivers little. The one insightful moment is when George Russell appears to have a panic attack following heat stroke symptoms after the race – showing the constant strain the drivers are under.

The series’ better moments emphasise some missed opportunities. Newey’s transfer to Aston isn’t covered; Logan Sargeant doesn’t get his say on being dumped by Williams; Guenther Steiner only appears fleetingly – his sweary analysis of his former team Haas would have been appreciated.

Season 7 is an amusing representation of current F1. Despite the young, vibrant, modern-day image, it’s the old guard that keeps it going by actually saying something. As the public-facing grand prix world gets increasingly dull, does DtS give us some ‘real’ behind-the-scenes insight? Yes, at times – but you’ll have to fast-forward to get there…

Formula 1: Drive to Survive – Season 7
Netflix
Available to view now

Desktop Wind tunnel

Never enjoy a productive day working at home again with your very own miniature wind tunnel for die-cast cars. The Windsible is available in three sizes so you can test the aero efficiency of your 1:64, 1:24 or 1:18-scale miniatures.
Fun-Tech-Lab Windsible, from £202. fun-tech-lab.com

Il Pianista art print

Art brand Ricardo produces some mesmerising designs, none more so than this Elio de Angelis celebration. As well as a gifted driver Elio was also a concert-standard pianist. This art print merges his Brabham cockpit among the keys.
Il Pianista print 50x70cm, £60. ricardo-car-artwork.com

Hollister Shelby hoodie

Motor sport-inspired products are now seeping into mainstream retailers. High-street chain Hollister is the latest to catch on with a host of Formula 1, NASCAR and automotive designs, like this grey Shelby hoodie.
Hollister Shelby Graphic Hoodie, £49.95. hollisterco.com

Deckorate Wall Art

Wall-hangers don’t come much more edgy than those of Belgian company Deckorate, which takes real skateboard decks and transforms them into works of art with an automotive twist – like this Ayrton Senna set.
Deckorate Legendary F1 3-Pack Ayrton Senna, £215. deckorate.net

Signed Mansell Williams FW11

A new release from Model Cars Group (MCG) this year is this eye-catching 1:18 model of Nigel Mansell’s 1986 Williams. It’s hand-signed on the sidepod with certificate of authenticity.
Williams FW11, £199.95. Available at The Signature Store, thesignaturestore.co.uk

Adidas x Mercedes F1 trainers

Whether you hustle like Russell or shimmy like Kimi (Antonelli) do it in style with Adidas’s tie-in with Mercedes-AMG F1. These VI Court Base are
a twist on a classic Adidas design.
Adidas x Mercedes-AMG F1 Vl Court Base, £60. Available at Mercedes-AMG F1, mercedesamgf1.com

The Collector

Flipping quids in

Do you ever wonder how collectibles appear on the secondary market, but are sold out at the retailers – often listed at a higher price? Welcome to the world of ‘flipping’.

Flipping is the term used when you buy something and sell it immediately for a higher price, to meet demand – usually because the item is highly desirable or
a limited edition. Think supercar or watch – but it also happens in the collectibles market. So how do you get in the know?

Let’s talk pre-ordering and why it can be a huge advantage – and even open up the potential to flip items for profit quickly. Remember trying to get hold of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures? Toys ‘R’ Us was a battle zone, and it still happens – but now online. The key is to be as close to the source as you can. If you want to know about the latest McLaren releases, sign up to its newsletter and become a McLaren Plus member. When stock is released, get in there quick!

Lego is a great example, now with official F1 partner status. Its socials tease products, often listing pre-order items which will be delivered to your door the day it comes out. But Lego can be an investment. With a product life-cycle of 18-24 months, pick the right set, keep it sealed and in a few years it might be worth serious money. If you can get a signature, all the better; we have a Kimi Räikkönen-signed Ferrari F1 Pit Stop set, inset, on sale at The Signature Store.

Scale helmets can be slow-burner investments. Then there’s special edition books – signed editions or special bindings are worth seeking out. Merchandise can also be surprisingly desirable – caps issued for a specific race (Lewis Hamilton at Silverstone, for example), if unworn, are wanted by fans who couldn’t be there.

Buying to sell is different to collecting, so a little knowledge can prove lucrative, but make sure you know your niche and follow your instincts. If  you really like something, someone else will too.

Andrew Francis is director at The Signature Store.thesignaturestore.co.uk