Formula 1: Drive to Survive season 5 coming this February

The Formula 1 docuseries Drive to Survive has given racing fans a peek inside the garages and paddocks of the 10 F1 teams since it debuted in March of 2019. Each new season of the show has highlighted the events of the previous racing year and has premiered close to the start of the new F1 calendar.

So with the 2023 Formula 1 season set to go green in Bahrain on March 5, when can Netflix viewers expect to see the flag drop on Drive to Survive season 5?

Formula 1: Drive to Survive season 5 Netflix release date

Netflix recently released a trailer for the new season and announced that Drive to Survive season 5 would premiere on February 24. Two-time defending champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull will participate in season 5 after refusing to be included in season 4 because of what he felt were embellished storylines and exaggerated rivalries.

As he told the New York Times last spring, “I’m quite a down-to-earth guy, and I just want it to be facts, don’t hype it up. I understand of course it needs to be like that for Netflix. It’s just not my thing.”

Verstappen’s absence from Season 4 deprived viewers of his perspective on the thrilling 2021 championship fight between him and Lewis Hamilton. While Verstappen’s runaway sprint to the 2022 title won’t provide the same drama of the previous year, there is no shortage of storylines from the 2022 Formula 1 season for Drive to Survive season 5 to focus on, including the final F1 laps for 5-time champion Sebastian Vettel and two-time title winner Fernando Alonso.

Ferrari also saw a resurgence in 2022, fueled by strong performances from Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. Mercedes fans will hope for a return to title contention for Hamilton in 2023, while Drive to Survive season 5 will tell the story of his first winless season in his 16 years in F1.

The 2022 F1 season also saw solid showings from Hamilton’s teammate George Russell and McLaren’s Lando Norris, as well as the dismissal of Norris’ teammate, the ebullient and camera-friendly Australian Daniel Ricciardo.

Formula 1: Drive to Survive season 5 premieres on Feb. 24.