Watch the Formula 1: Drive to Survive - Season 8 trailer here

credit: Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

Yes, it’s that time of the year again when a new season of Formula 1 creeps up on us. All teams are currently out in Bahrain doing their penultimate tests as the clock winds down to the season opener in Melbourne next month.

However, if you’re still craving more F1 action, then there’s still time to look back on events from 2025 with the upcoming series of Netflix’s smash hit Drive to Survive. We all saw how the title race between Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen unfolded on the track, but for an unseen look behind the curtain, Netflix has you covered.

Drive to Survive’s contribution to F1’s growing popularity

The behind-the-scenes documentary spanning all 12 months of the calendar year has been instrumental in F1's booming success over the last few years. Around 190 countries have access to the series, which is translated into more than 50 languages as F1’s popularity reaches the furthest corners of the globe.

Although viewership has dipped in recent years, the Sports Business Journal reported in July 2025 that season 7 of Drive to Survive managed to gain 10.4 million views since its release in February of that year. Its success has also spawned a number of similar documentary series in other sports, including golf, rugby and tennis.

It was this kind of viewership that convinced Apple to spend $150 million a year to become the exclusive US broadcast partner in a brand new five-year deal announced last year.

The Trailer

When is Drive to Survive - Season 8 released?

Season 8 of Formula 1: Drive to Survive will be released on Netflix on February 27. All seven other seasons are also available to watch on the platform.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Red Bull Content Pool