Okon: I don’t think Drive to Survive reflects reality

Yesterday, the fifth season of the acclaimed Netflix series, dedicated to the behind-the-scenes life of Formula 1, premiered and, as you might expect, this work of British and American documentaries has received mixed reviews.

Most likely, the audience will like the fifth season no less than the previous one, but, for example, Esteban Okon, one of the heroes of the series, reproaches the creators for trying to distort reality in order to increase entertainment.

The Alpine F1 driver will probably not be the only one who thinks that the events that took place on the circuits and in the Formula 1 paddock in 2022 have been overdramatised.

“I don’t think the series reflects reality,” Okon told reporters. – For example, it always seems strange to me when I finished 8th in France and then say on the screen: “Today is like a victory for me.”

I think I said that when I finished 5th in Austria or 4th in Japan, but not when I finished 8th at the French Grand Prix. In general, such things are strange to watch, but I suppose that’s part of the show. We have nothing to complain about as Netflix is ​​watched by such a wide audience. I love it.”

However, when Okon was told he had just complained about the not-so-realistic approach of the series creators, the rider explained, “No, I’m not complaining, but I don’t want my words to be taken. like I was happy with the 8th result. . I want to win, I don’t want to finish eighth, but the show has to be treated normally.”

There was a period last year when Max Verstappen, after watching several episodes of the fourth season of Drive to Survive, refused to star in the fifth, but then, after consulting the producers of the series, changed his mind, after which he stated that he asked them to still consider his point vision. The current world champion was also not happy with the fact that they interpret real characters and events too freely.

Apparently Max decided not to be stubborn and agreed to certain compromises, including heeding the arguments of Stefano Domenicali, President of Formula 1, who said last spring: “A driver who refuses to participate because he feels he is not correctly shown is to take an unconstructive position.

We need a dialogue, we need to figure out how such a rider can fit into the format so that he sees it as correct. We will discuss this subject with all riders.”