The dust has settled on the 2025 Formula 1 season, and what a breathless, chaotic, and transformative year it was. As the paddock takes a well-earned break and the factories hum with the development of the 2026 challengers, the attention of the wider world turns to one thing: Netflix. Drive to Survive Season 8 is on the horizon, and the pressure is on the producers to deliver. The 2025 season wasn’t just another year of racing; it was a year of seismic shifts, heartbreaking failures, and miraculous redemptions.
Netflix has a history of curating hundreds of hours of footage, sometimes glossing over the nuances that die-hard fans crave. But this year, the storylines are too juicy, too pivotal, and too dramatic to ignore. From the rise of unexpected heroes to the crumbling of dynasties, here are the 10 moments that Drive to Survive Season 8 must nail to do justice to an unforgettable year in Formula 1.
1. The undeniable Rise of Franco Colapinto
It would be an egregious oversight if Netflix failed to acknowledge the phenomenon that was Franco Colapinto. In a sport often criticized for being a closed shop, Colapinto kicked the door down. As the first Argentine driver to score points in decades, he didn’t just fill a seat; he reignited a nation’s passion. Stepping in for Logan Sargeant, Franco proved he wasn’t just a “super sub”—he was the real deal.
We need to see the archives. We need to see the raw emotion of that first point-scoring finish. But more importantly, we need the subplot involving Flavio Briatore. The parallels between Franco’s aggressive, no-nonsense style and the “bad boy” management of Briatore offer a cinematic goldmine. Franco proved he has “balls,” earning the respect of the paddock’s fiercest veterans. If Netflix doesn’t give us at least a dedicated segment on this South American sensation and his mentorship under the watchful eye of F1’s most controversial figures, they are missing the heartbeat of the 2025 grid.
2. Carlos Sainz’s Blue Redemption
The narrative arc of Carlos Sainz in 2025 is the stuff of Hollywood scripts. It began with the melancholy of his final days at Ferrari—the “Red Wedding” of Abu Dhabi where he committed every sensation of the Scuderia to memory. But the real story is his rebirth in Williams blue. The transition was shaky, fraught with the technical headaches of moving from a race-winning car to a project in transition.
However, the payoff was spectacular. Netflix must capture the crescendo of his season: that satisfyingly brilliant performance in Azerbaijan and the emotional podium in Qatar. Sainz achieved a rare milestone, joining the likes of Alain Prost in scoring podiums for three legacy teams: Ferrari, McLaren, and Williams. We need to see the behind-the-scenes integration with James Vowles, the candid moments at his home in Madrid, and the psychological journey of a driver who was let go, only to prove his worth by dragging a midfield car to glory. It’s a story of resilience that defines the spirit of F1.
3. The Ferrari Reality Check for Lewis Hamilton
This is the sensitive one. The world watched with bated breath as Lewis Hamilton donned the scarlet overalls, chasing the ghost of Schumacher and his own eighth title. But 2025 was not the fairytale start many hoped for. It was gritty, it was difficult, and at times, it was heartbreaking.
Netflix needs to tread carefully but honestly here. We don’t need manufactured drama; the reality was dramatic enough. We need to hear the candid, reflective insights into his struggles. The soundbites from the early season growing pains, the “sad sight” of a legend struggling to find positives—exemplified by his crushing remark that the only good thing about the car was “the weather”—paint a picture of human vulnerability. It wasn’t just about lap times; it was about the shattering of a dream and the slow, painful process of rebuilding it. Seeing Lewis finding his feet in Maranello, away from the PR polish, would be a defining element of the season.
4. The Rookie Meat Grinder
2025 was a year of fresh faces, but F1 is a cruel mistress. While we had the “super subs,” we also saw the brutal reality of the rookie experience. Netflix should dedicate an episode to the “Class of ’25″—highlighting the highs of Isack Hadjar’s rise and his podium at Zandvoort, contrasting with the immense pressure on Kimi Antonelli.
The story isn’t just about success; it’s about survival. Seeing Hadjar go from a terrible start in Australia to receiving that call-up to the senior Red Bull team is a classic hero’s journey. But the flip side is equally important: the rookies who were chewed up and spat out. The contrast between the jubilant hugs from Anthony Hamilton and the devastating moments of broken trophies and thousand-yard stares encapsulates the terrifying stakes of modern Formula 1. It’s a reminder that for every Verstappen, there are a dozen drivers who never quite make it stick.
5. The Return of the “Driver Cam”
One of the surprise hits of the previous season was the “Driver Cam” episode in Singapore, where drivers documented their own weekends. It broke the fourth wall and gave us a level of intimacy that standard camera crews can’t achieve. Season 8 needs to bring this back, perhaps at a different, high-stakes venue.
Imagine the candid banter, the unfiltered reactions, and the personal moments captured on a smartphone by the drivers themselves. It allows their personalities to shine through without the filter of a producer’s narrative. Whether it’s the McLaren duo causing chaos or the midfield drivers showing us the unglamorous side of travel, this format is a winner. It empowers the drivers to tell their own stories, often revealing more truth in a 30-second selfie video than in a sit-down interview.
6. The Red Bull Revolution: Horner Out, Mekies In
Here lies the biggest political earthquake of the year. The transition of power at Red Bull Racing is arguably the most critical storyline for the sport’s history books. Christian Horner stepping down marked the end of an era, followed by a period of radio silence that only Netflix can penetrate. We need to see Horner in the Oxfordshire countryside, reflecting on his empire and his exit.
But the phoenix rising from the ashes is Laurent Mekies. His task was impossible: fill Horner’s boots and salvage Max Verstappen’s season. The comeback story—Max going from 100 points behind Oscar Piastri to finishing within two points of Lando Norris—is a testament to Mekies’ leadership. This wasn’t just a title fight; it was a resurrection. Netflix must show us how Mekies changed the atmosphere, how he managed Max, and how he steered the Red Bull ship through its stormiest waters. This is Succession on wheels.
7. Sauber’s Final Bow and the Birth of Audi
As one name disappears, another giant emerges. The transformation of Sauber into the factory Audi team is a fascinating look at the business and engineering side of F1. With Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley taking the reins, the “Team from Hinwil” underwent a complete metamorphosis over the winter.
Netflix has a unique opportunity to archive the final days of a legacy team that started in 1993, contrasting it with the ruthless efficiency of the incoming German giant. We want to see the friction, the hope, and the sheer scale of the operation as they prepare for the 2026 regulations. The launch presentation was just the tip of the iceberg; the real story is in the wind tunnels and boardrooms where the future of the sport is being hammered out.
8. The Max to Mercedes “What If?”
It may have fizzled out in the end, but the saga of Max Verstappen potentially moving to Mercedes defined the early part of 2025. The headlines, the tension, and the visible unhappiness of the World Champion created a whirlwind of speculation. Netflix cannot pretend this didn’t happen just because he stayed.
The sight of Max looking “full and depressed” in press conferences, while Toto Wolff circled like a shark, was pure drama. It highlighted the fragility of contracts and loyalty when performance dips. Even though Max recommitted to the Red Bull-Ford project, the courtship by Mercedes was a significant chapter. It showed a chink in the armor of the Verstappen-Red Bull partnership and provided a fascinating glimpse into the high-stakes poker game of driver transfers.
9. Adrian Newey: The Green Architect
Adrian Newey leaving Red Bull was the shock of 2024, but his arrival and ascension at Aston Martin in 2025 is the story of 2025. Seeing the greatest designer in F1 history settling into his new home at Silverstone, and eventually taking the role of Team Principal, is a narrative of evolution.
We need to see the dynamic between Newey and the Strolls. How does a man used to winning championships adjust to a team that is still climbing the mountain? His presence in the paddock, his insights during the Monaco Grand Prix, and his thoughts on the 2026 car are invaluable. This isn’t just about aerodynamics; it’s about Lawrence Stroll’s master plan finally coming together with the ultimate piece of the puzzle.
10. George Russell: The Silent Assassin
While the world focused on Lando, Oscar, and Max, George Russell quietly put together a masterpiece of a season. As the new team leader at Mercedes, filling the void left by Hamilton, Russell delivered over 300 points and led the team with ruthless consistency.
His story is one of vindication. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his contract and the shadow of Kimi Antonelli, Russell kept his head down and let his driving speak. Netflix needs to sit down with George and explore his mindset. How did it feel to finally be the “Number 1”? How did he handle the pressure of tutoring the next generation while fighting for his own future? Russell’s season was a masterclass in professionalism, and he deserves his moment in the spotlight as the man who steered the Silver Arrows back toward the sharp end of the grid.
Conclusion
The 2025 season provided a script that no writer could invent. It had tragedy, comedy, political intrigue, and breathtaking racing. Drive to Survive has the footage; now they just need the courage to tell the right stories. If Season 8 can weave these 10 threads together, it won’t just be a recap of a racing series—it will be a definitive document of one of the most turbulent and exciting years in Formula 1 history. Over to you, Netflix.