How 'Drive to Survive' Changed F1

It’s Friday and you know what that means, race weekend has started!

Here’s what we got this week:

• 📽️ Drive to Survive Effect: How has the Netflix series impacted the sport

• 💰 Richest F1 Drivers: Here are the richest drivers under 50

• 🇨🇦 Canadian GP: Interesting facts about the race

PLUS: F1 Arcade (Topgolf like) coming to Boston early 2024, K-Mag making his 150th start this weekend reflects on career, F1 CEO won’t slow down Red Bull

📽️ Drive to Survive Effect

If you are a fan of Formula 1, you have probably watched Drive to Survive, the Netflix documentary series that takes you behind the scenes of the world's fastest sport. But did you know how it was made, how it impacted F1, and what the future holds for it? Formula 1 sat down with the producer, James Gay-Rees to talk about it.

• How it all started: He was approached by F1's former commercial chief Sean Bratches in 2017, who wanted to create a series that would showcase the human side of F1 and attract new audiences. Gay-Rees agreed to take on the project, despite having no prior knowledge of F1.

• How it is made: Each season of Drive to Survive takes about a year to produce, from filming to editing. He says that they have a team of 25 people who follow the teams and drivers throughout the season, capturing their stories and emotions. There’s a good relationship with F1 and the teams, who give them access and trust them to tell their stories honestly.

• How it impacted F1: There has been a huge impact Drive to Survive has had on F1, especially in terms of attracting new and younger fans. He says that he has received positive feedback from fans, drivers, teams, sponsors, and media, who appreciate the way the series showcases the drama and excitement of F1. He also says that he has seen a change in the culture of F1, which has become more open and transparent since the series started.

• What the future holds: Gay-Rees is looking forward to continuing the series for as long as possible, as he believes that there are still many stories to tell and many fans to reach. They’re always looking for ways to improve the series and make it more engaging and immersive. He hints that there might be some spin-offs or specials in the future, focusing on specific aspects or characters of F1. Read more

💰 Richest F1 Drivers

Formula 1 is not only a thrilling sport, but also a lucrative one. With teams spending millions of dollars on cars, engines, and equipment, the racers also earn hefty salaries and endorsements. Let’s look at the richest racing icons under 50. All net worths are estimates btw.

1. Lewis Hamilton ($285m): The seven-time world champion and the most successful F1 driver of all time, Hamilton has won 103 races and 183 podiums so far. He also makes millions from his deals with brands like Bose, Monster Energy, Sony, and more.

2. Fernando Alonso ($240m): The two-time world champion and one of the most respected F1 drivers, Alonso has raced for McLaren, Renault, and Alpine. He also has his own streetwear brand, Kimoa, and endorsements with Adidas, Citibank, Pirelli, and others.

3. Kimi Räikkönen ($150m): The 2007 world champion has raced for Sauber, McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus, and Alfa Romeo. He also has investments in real estate and sponsorships with iLOQ, Oakley, Wrangler, Singha, and more.

4. Jenson Button ($150m): The 2009 world champion and a veteran F1 driver, Button has raced for Williams, Brawn GP, and McLaren. He also works as a commentator for Sky Sports and a senior advisor to the Williams racing team. Read more

🇨🇦 Canadian GP

Here are some interesting facts about the Canadian GP.

• The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is 4.361km long and has a lap record of 1m 13.078s set by Valtteri Bottas in 2019.

• The first Canadian Grand Prix was held in 1967 at Mosport.

• Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton hold the record for most pole positions with six each.

• Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton also hold the record for most wins with seven each.

• Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen are the only other drivers on the current grid who have won the Canadian Grand Prix.

• Jolyon Palmer, former Renault F1 driver, said that Canada is a really nice track to drive and you get a sense of atmosphere going around it. Read more

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💨 Hot Laps

• 🕹️ F1 Arcade, think Topgolf meets F1, just raised $38 million to build 30+ locations around the world. Each location will have 60+ F1 simulators! The first one is set to open in Boston in early 2024.

• 🇩🇰 Kevin Magnussen will celebrate his 150th Grand Prix entry in Canada this weekend, reflecting on his long career in F1. He debuted with McLaren in 2014 and scored his only podium in his first race.

•🚦Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has ruled out any mid-season rule changes to stop Red Bull's dominance, saying it would be unfair and manipulative. He praised Red Bull for doing an incredible job and said the other teams are very close behind them.