Netflix to screen new Formula 1 documentary on 2018 season
A new Formula 1 documentary series based on the 2018 season will air on Netflix early next year
It comes on the heels of the successful Grand Prix Driver series about McLaren's troubled 2017 season, which was recently shown on Amazon.
The Netflix deal is also one of the first that the F1 organisation has concluded with a major global brand under Liberty's ownership.
Production company Box-to-Box Films has been granted full access to the F1 paddock, teams and drivers for the 10-episode series.
One of the men behind it is executive producer James Gay Rees, who was also responsible for the acclaimed Senna film and the Academy Award-winning Amy, as well as successful documentaries about Bansky and Oasis.
F1 says that the series will "reveal the intense fight for the heart, soul, and direction for the future of this multibillion-dollar business."
The deal has been well received by teams, whose sponsors now have the chance to reach an audience who might not follow regular race coverage.
McLaren executive director Zak Brown, who sanctioned the earlier Amazon series, said that the Netflix deal was a positive development for F1.
"It's really good news," he told Autosport. "Our Amazon Prime series went over really well with the fans, and showed them parts of the sport that no one's ever seen.
"The Netflix series will be a deep dive into the sport, as opposed to one team.
"I think some teams will give more access than others, by their choice.
"People who wouldn't normally be exposed to it will see it, find it fascinating, and hopefully that leads to more viewers."
Bela Bajaria, vice president of content for Netflix, said the F1 deal "furthers our mission of working with world-class brands and production partners to produce best-in-class unscripted series".
F1 commercial chief Sean Bratches hailed the Netflix deal as a significant step in Liberty's transformation of the championship.
"F1 is a global sport that we are actively repositioning from a motorsport company to a media and entertainment brand," he said.
"The agreement with Netflix serves to chronicle the fascinating story of what transpires behind the scenes during a grand prix season.
"This is a perspective of the sport that has yet to be unveiled to fans around the world.
"This series will unleash a compelling vantage point to the sport that will delight fans and serve as a catalyst to entice new fans."
Australian Grand Prix qualifying: Hamilton pole, Bottas crashes
Lewis Hamilton denies Mercedes 'party mode' key to Australia pole
How studying Schumacher helped make Coulthard a McLaren F1 mainstay
Winner of 13 grands prix including Monaco and survivor of a life-changing plane crash, David Coulthard could be forgiven for having eased into a quiet retirement – but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, in fact he’s busier than ever, running an award-winning media company and championing diversity in motor racing. Not bad for someone who, by his own admission, wasn’t quite the fastest driver of his generation…
How Red Bull found more downforce for Hungary
Red Bull initially feared it would be on the back foot at Formula 1’s Hungarian Grand Prix, with the team seemingly less comfortable at high downforce circuits than previous years.
Russell: Hungary pole justifies faith in Mercedes F1 car concept
George Russell believes Mercedes’ pole position and double podium finish in Hungary last weekend justifies its decision to stick with its current Formula 1 car concept.
Alpine confident it will beat Aston Martin while Alonso is there
Alpine Formula 1 boss Otmar Szafnauer believes that his team can continue to outperform Aston Martin during Fernando Alonso’s tenure at the Silverstone squad when he switches camps for 2023.
How studying Schumacher helped make Coulthard a McLaren F1 mainstay
Winner of 13 grands prix including Monaco and survivor of a life-changing plane crash, David Coulthard could be forgiven for having eased into a quiet retirement – but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, in fact he’s busier than ever, running an award-winning media company and championing diversity in motor racing. Not bad for someone who, by his own admission, wasn’t quite the fastest driver of his generation…
Could F1 move to a future beyond carbonfibre?
Formula 1 has ambitious goals for improving its carbon footprint, but could this include banishing its favoured composite material? PAT SYMONDS considers the alternatives to carbonfibre and what use, if any, those materials have in a Formula 1 setting
How Russell has proven he deserves to be Hamilton's Mercedes heir
He’s fast, he’s smart, and he’s already shown he’s not going to let Max Verstappen intimidate him. George Russell won’t say it, but LUKE SMITH says he’s ready to take the lead at Mercedes when Lewis Hamilton moves on to a quieter life. And – whisper it – Mercedes and Lewis are starting to think so too
The traits that fuelled Alonso's unexpected Aston Martin move
Fernando Alonso’s bombshell switch to Aston Martin sent shockwaves through Formula 1, not least at Alpine that finds itself tangled in a contract standoff with Oscar Piastri. Not shy of a bold career move and with a CV punctuated by them, there were numerous hints that trouble was brewing
The elements Ferrari must resolve to first save face, then win championships
OPINION: Ferrari's Formula 1 title hopes look all but over after another strategic blunder in last week's Hungarian Grand Prix denied Charles Leclerc the chance to fight for victory, while handing it to chief rival Max Verstappen. The Scuderia now faces intense scrutiny over what it must now do to finally become a genuine factor in championship battles
The clues about Hamilton’s F1 retirement plans revealed after Vettel’s decision
OPINION: Sebastian Vettel is set to leave Formula 1 at the end of 2022 and will, rather shockingly, be replaced by Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin. But what about the final chapter of the other driver that defined the post-Michael Schumacher era? In Hungary, Lewis Hamilton spoke about his future in the context of Vettel’s upcoming departure, which offered clues on how long it will last
Why all signs point to F1’s Monaco special relationship continuing
OPINION: With more potential venues than there are slots in future calendars, rumours have been circulating that the Monaco Grand Prix could be a casualty of F1’s expansion into new markets. But MARK GALLAGHER thinks this is highly unlikely
Hungarian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
The Hungarian Grand Prix race result, after a dry race held without safety car conditions, bore little resemblance to what was anticipated after qualifying. While certain drivers were nullified by some iffy strategy calls, others shone to grasp opportunities afforded to them in the last F1 race before the summer break