Netflix called out for Max Verstappen portrayal on Drive to Survive as eagle-eyed F1 fans spot major editing blunder

F1 fans have called out Netflix for their portrayal of world champion Max Verstappen during the seventh series of Drive to Survive.

The latest season of the hit show, which this time covers the entire 2024 season, was released worldwide on Friday.

It covers a range of key talking points from the season, including Lewis Hamilton's decision to leave Mercedes and sign for Ferrari, McLaren's resurgence to become Constructors' Champions for the first time since 1998, and Verstappen's on-track rivalry with Lando Norris.

Netflix have a unique way of profiling the season, often focusing solely on one team during a specific race weekend. For instance, one episode could focus on McLaren's progress at a Grand Prix, while another episode would focus on Ferrari at a different race.

That means the show misses out some key moments and perhaps can appear to portray a driver in a different way to what is genuine as a result.

During series seven, fans have criticised the streaming giant for their portrayal of Verstappen at one particular point.

One episode covers Norris' maiden victory at the Miami Grand Prix, which he won following the deployment of a safety car and Verstappen hitting a bollard, thus causing damage to his front wing.

It is claimed the victory has been portrayed as 'the end of the world' for Verstappen, who is seen looking distraught in a separate room to the race winner.

But eagle-eyed fans have spotted that in the clip, the Dutchman was actually wearing the blue second-placed driver's cap from the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort - not Miami. Verstappen did finish in second place behind Norris in both races.

On further inspection, it can clearly be seen that there is a black podium cap next to Verstappen with the Dutch flag on it.

Podium caps do not have the driver's national flag printed on them as they are produced well in advance of each Grand Prix, with the flag instead matching the country that the race is being held in.

Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: "They do know we all watched it live. Max was very happy for Lando."

A second stated: "This is one of the reasons why I can't watch this."

A third said: "Meanwhile this was Max after the race celebrating Lando's win and even went clubbing with him after."

A fourth added: "Using a clip where Max is wearing the Zandvoort cap."