“If ‘Drive to Survive’ was present during my time I would have become a Hollywood actor”: Rubens Barrichello


“If ‘Drive to Survive’ was present during my time  I would have become a Hollywood actor”: Rubens Barrichello

Rubens Barrichello

Despite whatever our personal opinions of the incredibly popular F1 Netflix series ‘Drive to Survive’, it is undeniable that it has changed the landscape of the Formula 1 world. Especially in terms of the viewership, and the overall brand image of the sport in the world. Formula 1 has always been among the world’s premier sports, but this popularity never translated particularly well into the huge, untapped market of the United States.

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In a masterclass of marketing by Formula 1’s owners, Libert Media, the Netflix series was launched in 2019. Since then, the sport experienced a huge boom in popularity among teenagers, and this has been especially true in the United States. This tweet should help you put things into perspective.

Of course, there has been a lot of criticism of the series by viewers and just Formula 1 fans as a whole, many of who feel that the series overdramatizes the sport, and is making the sport lose its essence. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen clearly shares this view, and as a consequence has refused to participate in the documentary series.

But its impact is undeniable, and Formula 1 is certainly capitalizing on it, with a race in Miami added this year, and a race in Las Vegas scheduled to take place starting from next season, 2023. This can only be to take advantage of the market and opportunity created in the United States through Drive to Survive.

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Also Read: “I think we need to stay fan-focused, recognise what Netflix has done for Formula 1,” Zak Brown on impact of Drive To Survive

Rubens Barrichello feels he would like to compete in today’s F1

Former Brabham and McLaren driver, John Watson had earlier criticized the impact of the series, blaming it for recent ‘controversies’ in the sport.

Speaking to RacingNews365, he criticized the involvement of Formula 1 staff in what he terms the ‘show’, and felt that the increased focus on making the sport ‘entertaining’ is having a negative consequence on the governance aspects of the sport.

“These people, ie. the FIA and their officers, some of them have become a part of this ‘show’. They’re not there to be that – they’re there to adjudicate. They’re not there to be known or shown or whatever.”

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“They are people that should be behind the scenes and shouldn’t at any point of time be given acknowledgment. That’s not their job, and that’s not what they’re in that position for.”

Despite the show’s many critics, drivers, former drivers, and fans alike, former Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello is not one of them. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Barrichello clearly enunciated that he likes the new dynamics present in the sport.

I like this F1it is very different from mine. If ‘Drive to Survive’ was present during my time [at the Formula 1 grid], I would have become a Hollywood actor.”

Aside from Ferrari, Rubens Barrichello also raced in the sport with Jordan, Stewart, Honda, BrawnGP and Williams. In an active career that lasted 18 years, Barrichello competed in 326 Grands Prix, and scored 658 points. He also stood on the top step 11 times (12 if you count this one time) and achieved 68 podium finishes. He also currently competes in Brazil’s Stock Car Series, taking one championship victory in 2014.

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