Fans of Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri voice strong disappointment over the latest episode of Netflix’s Drive to Survive series, released on Friday. Episode three spotlights McLaren’s internal challenges as Piastri and teammate Lando Norris battled fiercely for the Drivers’ Championship last season.
McLaren’s Tense Title Fight
The episode examines McLaren’s efforts to maintain team unity amid the high-stakes rivalry. Norris ultimately claimed the championship, while Piastri, who held a 34-point lead at one stage, finished third, 16 points behind Norris and Max Verstappen of Red Bull.
Team principal Zak Brown strives to project neutrality on camera, despite fan claims of favoritism toward Norris. Supporters anticipated insight into Piastri’s perspective, including speculation that the Australian driver received secondary priority at McLaren. However, the installment largely overlooks these tensions.
Norris Portrayed as Underdog
The narrative frames Norris as the struggling protagonist after his sixth-place qualification at the Bahrain Grand Prix in April. A dejected Norris told media at the time, “I feel like I’ve just never driven an F1 car before. I’m struggling a lot, I don’t know why.” He added, “I need to try and find some answers.”
The episode highlights Norris’s resilience, culminating in his championship victory. A notable Bahrain clip features Brown commenting, “I think Oscar is looking strong. I’m not allowed to put money on it, but if I did, I’d have it on Oscar.”
Key Moments Ignored by Cameras
Contrastingly, Brown erupts in celebration over Norris securing pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix. During the Italian Grand Prix, Piastri shows visible frustration after a race engineer instructs him to yield position to Norris.
Other incidents absent from the edit include Norris making contact with Piastri at the Singapore Grand Prix start, escaping any penalty. McLaren also held “difficult conversations” with Piastri, but production cameras lacked access to those discussions.
Upcoming Season Opener
The 2026 Formula 1 season kicks off on March 8 at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne’s Albert Park, Piastri’s home race.
