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Television

Is Max Verstappen in ‘Formula 1: Drive to Survive’ Season 5?

After years of refusing to appear in the hit Netflix series, is the Red Bull driver part of Season 5?

Update:
After years of refusing to appear in the hit Netflix series, is the Red Bull driver part of Season 5?
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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has taken Formula 1 by storm the last two seasons, winning back-to-back F1 World Championships.

From beating out Lewis Hamilton at the final race of the 2021 campaign, to sweeping past the rest of the field last season, the Dutchman has become one of F1′s biggest names.

Despite his popularity, Verstappen has famously boycotted Netflix’s hit series ‘Formula 1: Drive to Survive’ during its first four seasons.

The series gives fans a behind-the scenes look at the pinnacle of motorsport, and its popularity has helped bring in a flurry of new viewers, especially in the United States, which will host three races in 2023.

Why did Max Verstappen boycott ‘Drive to Survive’?

Although the rest of the F1 drivers have appeared on ‘Drive to Survive’ in the past, Verstappen famously boycotted the show after claiming it misrepresented drivers and team members by over-dramatizing events or rivalries.

“I understand that it needs to be done to boost the popularity in America, but from my side as a driver, I don’t like being part of it,” he said in 2021.

”They faked a few rivalries which they don’t really exist. So I decided to not be a part of it and did not give any more interviews after that because then there is nothing you can show.”

As a result, Verstappen’s first championship-winning campaign wasn’t chronicled by the show as he refused to give interviews or appear on camera.

Will Max Verstappen appear in Season 5?

That’s all changed for the fifth season, with Verstappen set to appear in the hit Netflix series.

“I spoke with them before I gave an interview with them,” he told media during Red Bull’s recent launch event for the RB19 in New York City.

“I of course hope they understood my message and I also know that being a world champion, you have to be a part of something like that so I think I gave them like 30 minutes or an hour of interview.

“I hope they are going to use it well. I don’t know when I am going to watch it but I hope I will be happy after watching it.

“I know it is important to F1 for growing the sport in general.”

‘Formula 1: Drive to Survive’ Season 5 premieres on Netflix on Friday, February 24. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the new season.