 "McLaren's Lando Norris and Red Bull's Max Verstappen during testing. Image: Reuters")
Lando Norris has strongly criticised the makers of Netflix’s Formula 1 documentary series Drive to Survive after what he perceives as misleading editing in the latest season. The McLaren driver, who played an important role in the show’s coverage of his title battle with Red Bull Racing star Max Verstappen, expressed disappointment over how their relationship was depicted, calling it “fake stuff.”
Norris slams ‘fake’ editing in Drive to Survive
Norris, who clinched pole position at the Australian Grand Prix earlier in the day, took issue with the way the makers of the show portrayed his dynamic with Verstappen. While the documentary suggested a fierce rivalry, Norris insisted that the two are good friends and that the show needlessly created tension where none existed.
“They need to show the truth about people more. I’m not a fan of fake stuff. I want facts, I don’t want made-up scripts and fabricated nonsense, which there is. The portrayal of Max and how we were against each other so much… They don’t need to create drama. There’s drama, they can just show the facts of the drama,” Norris said.
“To portray someone in an incorrect way, people are going to have their opinions of that incorrect person. It’s almost lying in some ways,” Norris said. “I just don’t think that’s correct. I don’t think you can paint someone in the wrong picture when it’s not the truth. It’s not fair, especially when so many people love [the series] and believe what they see,” he added.
Controversy over Miami GP footage
The controversy erupted after the show’s portrayal of Norris’ maiden Grand Prix victory in Miami last season. The series framed it as a close contest with Verstappen, even though Norris had won comfortably. Additionally, footage showed Verstappen appearing unhappy with the result, an image that was actually taken from the Dutch Grand Prix later in the season and not from Miami. After backlash from fans and the drivers, Netflix removed the segment, calling it an “unintentional error.”
Verstappen himself dismissed the false narrative, sarcastically remarking, “Apparently I was very sad after Miami. I literally had the best time ever Sunday night, so I don’t know what I was upset about.”
Despite the controversy, Norris continued his stellar start to the 2025 season with a dramatic victory in the Australian Grand Prix. The race, marked by unpredictable weather conditions, multiple crashes, and Safety Car periods, saw Norris securing a hard-fought win. Verstappen took the second spot and George Russell of Mercedes came third.