Lando Norris has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the portrayal of Formula 1 in Netflix's popular series Drive to Survive. The McLaren driver stressed the importance of authenticity, criticizing the show for using misleading footage to depict his rivalry with Max Verstappen during the 2024 season.

In the second episode of the seventh season, the show portrayed Verstappen as upset following Norris's first victory in Miami. However, the footage used was from later in the season, which Norris finds misleading. "They need to show the truth about people more," Norris stated. "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 British driver pointed out that the creators of the show often exaggerate or create unnecessary drama. "The portrayal of Max, and how we were against each other so much, they don't need to create that drama, just show the facts," Norris added.

Max Verstappen, who eventually won the title, also commented on the representation, jokingly noting that the show suggested he was very sad after the Miami race, contrary to his actual mood. "I literally had the best time ever Sunday night, so I don't know what I was upset about," Verstappen said.

Box To Box Films, the production company behind the series, defended their work, stating that the narratives follow real events and that any errors are unintentional. They are committed to correcting these mistakes when they are highlighted.

An F1 spokesperson emphasized the positive impact of Drive to Survive on the sport's popularity. "Drive to Survive has been a very important part of growing the sport and reaching new audiences. We should focus on the positive impact of the series and not criticize something that has been hugely beneficial to the whole sport," the spokesperson mentioned.