Sainz: F1's Complexity Dulls Appeal for Netflix Fans

Carlos Sainz asserts that F1’s intricacies make it less captivating for Netflix’s audience compared to MotoGP.

The series “Drive to Survive” has significantly benefited Formula 1, particularly in attracting a new audience, including women and younger viewers.

However, the Netflix series has also faced strong criticism for exaggerating feuds and fostering unnecessary drama.

One rivalry that was particularly amplified in the early seasons was between Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz, who were then teammates at McLaren F1.

This rivalry amused and mainly made the Spanish driver laugh. This narrative arc even became a joke between Sainz and Lando Norris, as recounted by the Ferrari driver.

“In F1, we get along well among drivers.”

“Today, there may be a trend where, in all sports, there is more respect and sportsmanship – more so than in the days of Rossi, [Jorge] Lorenzo, [Marc] Marquez, or in football with [Zinedine] Zidane and [Marco] Materazzi. There’s more harmony now.”

“But with Netflix, battles or characters have been created – and all this doesn’t really exist in some cases.”

“Netflix took it upon themselves to dramatize this and add a Hollywood touch. It’s true that duels exist, but they have been exaggerated. It’s Hollywood.”

“Lando Norris and I are colleagues. Rivals and colleagues. In one episode of season 4, we appeared as sworn enemies. In fact, we were teammates and got along wonderfully.”

“In Australia, at the start of the new F1 season, we met and I said, ‘Did you watch Netflix?’ He said yes, and we laughed about it for a while. Even a fan who has followed F1 for a long time and knows all the details laughs at that episode.”

“They take a line here, a line there, to try and create this rivalry.”

Is F1 too complex for ‘Netflix’ fans?

Nevertheless, Liberty Media continues to expand its motorsport empire. The Americans, having acquired F1, went on to purchase MotoGP and then Formula E.

According to Carlos Sainz, F1 would do well to emulate MotoGP – the Ferrari driver finds the series more entertaining and simpler than F1.

“I think a MotoGP race is on average more entertaining than F1.”

“The issue is that for F1 to be entertaining, you need to understand the strategy and the pit stops, but for the new Netflix fan who has just entered the world of F1 and is starting to do their research, it’s great to have to understand all that.”

“That’s what happened to my girlfriend, who has nothing to do with F1: I explained everything to her and she said, ‘That’s really cool’.”

“Now, give me a MotoGP race and an F1 race, and if I’m a complete novice, I’ll tell you MotoGP is more entertaining.”

“It’s simpler, you see who crosses the finish line first, they overtake each other more often.”

“But I wouldn’t fault F1 for being less entertaining because once you understand it, it’s also very entertaining.”

“I think the Netflix phenomenon has really helped F1 stand out from MotoGP. Liberty Media has opened everything up, the world of YouTube, etc.”

“MotoGP is in this process and it takes time. F1 started its transformation just under 10 years ago. MotoGP is going to be hugely successful, it’s my second favorite sport after F1.”