After only watching four episodes of the latest season of popular Netflix series 'Drive To Survive', Red Bull driver Max Verstappen refused to take part in season five with the Dutchman unhappy with how certain drivers were portrayed. Amongst the drivers he believed were shown in a bad light during the series were friend Lando Norris and himself, amid his intense battle with Lewis Hamilton. The Dutchman was fighting for his maiden title against Hamilton, who was gunning for a record-breaking eighth world crown. At times the battle became heated, such as at Silverstone and Monza where the pair crashed hard. Verstappen believes that while he was trying to achieve his lifelong dream, the hit show was pulling him down. He explained: "As a person, I am trying to build a brand just by being myself. But then a series like that can just put you down completely different. "It's just because they like it like that, and I think that is very wrong. I prefer not to be a part of it," he said, at the start of the year.
Verstappen wants control over how Netflix portray him
"Not all, but quite a lot of things are wrong. People get the wrong idea about a certain person of how they actually are, they don’t know because they are new to the sport and they just watch the series. My opinion is not going to change," he continued. But now it appears the World Champion may have changed his mind about taking part in the program. Speaking with the press, including RacingNews365.com in Britain, Verstappen explained that after a quick chat with producers, things have improved. He added that if the show's suits can allow him to have a say in how he is portrayed in the show this time, then he may agree to take part. “You know that if you get a bit more of a say in how you are going to be portrayed, instead of giving an interview and then not knowing what is going to be done with it,” he explained. "That's all I'm asking for and it's just more realistic, at least from my side. "I cannot control what they do with other drivers, but at least I want to be in control of what I'm releasing and that's what we're going to do. "Of course, I hope that is going to be good, because I also understand that Netflix has really helped a lot for popularity, especially in the US, and I don't mind playing a role in that."
Verstappen: It needs to be good for both of us
"But it needs to be good for both of us," he said. "I'm not a big fan of being in the foreground anyway. "I also understand for people watching it, the whole 'Drive To Survive' stuff, that they want more people in it and more of a personal story. But in a way, I don't want to be seen if you can’t control what is being put out there. "You need to be able to say: 'well, sorry guys, I don't really think that makes me look good'. Sometimes you don't even know that there is a camera around, or someone is walking behind you and they can use that. "So yeah, we had a good chat, let's see what comes out of it and how much I'm going to be in it. "I understand, of course, they want me in it. So okay, sure, but it needs to be more on my terms. Otherwise, there's no point in me participating."
Most read
