Rosberg: Drive to Survive ‘would have been horrible for me’

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Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg reckons that ‘Drive to Survive’ production crews working in his environment during his 2016 championship campaign would have been “horrible” for him.

Rosberg retired from F1 at the end of 2016, well before the popular ‘Drive to Survive’ docu-series was put on its rails by Netflix.

The acclaimed series has been praised for its ability to bring the sport to a wider audience.

It has been credited with increasing the popularity of Formula 1, both in the United States and around the world.

Read also: Red Bull 'vetoed Drive to Survive footage of Horner'

But Rosberg doubts that the producers’ behind the scenes and fly-on-the-wall approach to story-telling would have suited him.

“No, no, no, that would be horrible,” he told City A.M. “That would have been horrible because it would have taken concentration away from me actually winning the championship.

“That would have been a disaster.”

While he would have struggled to accommodate DTS filming crews, Rosberg acknowledged the positive impact the series has had on Formula 1 and how it has made fans feel more connected to the sport and to the people involved in it.

“What F1 did so well with Netflix is that it’s a reality TV show,” said the 23-time Grand Prix winner and owner of the Extreme E Rosberg X Racing outfit.

“They got lucky that select individuals like Guenther Steiner or some of the team bosses really accepted to be real, even taking the risks associated with that.

“Formula 1 has had an incredible increase in viewership thanks to social media and Netflix which has been phenomenal, but also thanks to the new generation, which is a very exciting generation.

“That’s been great to see and all of us are tagging along in that a little bit but [electric off-road racing series] Extreme E still needs to find other ways to generate audiences and grow.”

Season 6 of 'Drive to Survive' is expected to start streaming on Netflix at the end of February 2024.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.