The essence of Formula 1’s docuseries Drive to Survive has always been its ability to make fans feel like they’ve learned something new before the lights go out on a new season, that they’ve been taken behind the scenes, beyond the podium celebrations and press conferences. But in Season 8, viewers were left with more questions than answers. The biggest of them all: where was Lewis Hamilton?
One of the defining storylines of last season was Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari from Mercedes, arguably one of the most shocking transfers in modern motorsport history.
His difficult campaign that followed with the Marnello-based team, ending without a win or podium for the first time since his debut in 2007, was a dramatic arc that seemed tailor-made for the Netflix series. It was a season of struggles, adaptation, and scrutiny and the perfect kind of narrative that Drive to Survive typically thrives on.
Lewis Hamilton’s story told without his voice in Drive To Survive Season 8
Yet across the eight episodes released on Friday, February 27, there was not a single sit-down interview with the seven-time world champion.
His story revolved around archival footage and standard media interactions, but nothing offered fresh insight into his mindset during that turbulent year.
Instead, Hamilton’s season was largely framed through the perspectives of others, including his former teammate George Russell along with selective clips highlighting tensions within Ferrari.
Who’s watching? 👀
Drive To Survive Season 8, now playing on Netflix 📺#F1 pic.twitter.com/4FdduIiUzf
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 27, 2026
Hamilton was not alone in declining direct participation. Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso also chose not to sit for interviews with the Drive To Survive producers.
Season 8 had two major storylines at its disposal: Hamilton’s challenging transition to Ferrari and the dramatic departure of Red Bull’s long-time team principal Christian Horner. The latter was explored in detail with Horner even revealing the names behind his sacking. But, Hamilton’s story felt incomplete.
Without meaningful contributions from some of the sport’s biggest personalities, the series appeared to lose some of its authentic, fly-on-the-wall feel.
For many hardcore fans and critics, Season 8 lacked the organic access and raw insight that once defined the show, leading to mixed and, in some cases, disappointing reviews.
Also Read: F1 2026 Season: Teams, Drivers, Full Schedule, Live Streaming Details – All You Need To Know
