Mercedes Method 1 group principal Toto Wolff has admitted he initially was skeptical about Netflix's hit docuseries Drive to Survive, resulting from factual inaccuracies.
Whereas Drive to Survive has been a significant component within the sport's exceptional progress stateside, Wolff wasn't satisfied it was an honest product; Mercedes really declined to take part within the first season, as did another high groups within the paddock.
“I began to observe and I hated it,” admitted Wolff, talking on the Autosport Enterprise Alternate (ABX) in New York Metropolis on Wednesday, celebrating the rise of racing in America.
When requested what he disliked about it, Wolff defined that he had sat down to observe an early Season 1 episode that centered on a rivalry between Spanish drivers Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz. The episode, titled ‘The King of Spain', irked Wolff for its overdramatization of the battle between the 2 drivers.
“It was Fernando Alonso in opposition to Carlos Sainz, and it was made up,” commented Wolff. “[Treating it] like that is the competitors for the world championship and it was [over tenth in the drivers' standings]… I assumed, that is not for me. Switched it off. Did not even watch the second.”
However Wolff's opinion on the present quickly advanced because the 2019 season progressed.
“I received again to Europe and a good friend of mine known as me, and mentioned that she would love to return along with her sons to the Austrian Grand Prix,” continued Wolff. “And I mentioned, ‘How come? You have by no means been excited about Method 1', and he or she mentioned ‘My sons love Drive to Survive'.”
Toto Wolff is interviewed through the Autosport Enterprise Alternate, New York
Picture by: Getty Photos
It was in that second that Wolff realized Netflix could have hit on one thing particular, and sarcastically, the truth that the highest groups refused to participate within the present helped them to do it.
“What occurred was, as a result of we did not characteristic, it gave Netflix the chance to indicate smaller groups and drivers that weren't a lot within the highlight,” mentioned Wolff. “I feel that captured the audiences.
“In a method, what we did was proper, however it wasn't the rationale we did it.”
Seven seasons later, Drive to Survive stays central in F1's push to develop and entice new audiences. Each the Mercedes F1 group and Wolff have turn into frequent friends on the docuseries. These appearances helped to offer group principals like Wolff a ‘film star' standing, in accordance with Apple government Eddy Cue, who was additionally talking at ABX NYC.
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