The series was first announced on 24 March 2018 when Formula 1 confirmed a collaboration with Netflix for a ten-episode production covering the 2018 World Championship. The initial concept was more limited in scope; executive producer James Gay-Rees later revealed that the series was originally intended to focus solely on Red Bull Racing. Sean Bratches, then Formula One's commercial chief, suggested expanding coverage to all ten teams, a decision that fundamentally changed the show's scope and appeal.
Executive producers James Gay-Rees and Paul Martin at Box-to-Box Films, along with showrunner Sophie Todd, built the format around narrative storytelling rather than technical racing coverage. To create tension and drama, the production team layered track footage with commentary from voices including Martin Brundle and David Coulthard. Researchers identified this as a deliberate marketing strategy — constructing hero-versus-villain dynamics to attract viewers who would not otherwise engage with a sport focused on technical data.
A second season was officially confirmed on 24 July 2019, marking a turning point in the series' trajectory. Filming for Season 2 was suspended from March until July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, disrupting production of episodes covering the shortened calendar.
The series covers each preceding Formula One season, releasing annually. Each season runs for ten episodes. The show is distributed globally through Netflix, giving it simultaneous reach across markets where Formula One had historically struggled to build audiences, most notably the United States. The Netflix Cup, a crossover event between Formula One and professional golf series Full Swing, was broadcast on Netflix in November 2023 as a direct product of the franchise's success.
In February 2026, Netflix and Apple announced a content swap in connection with Apple's acquisition of US Formula One broadcast rights. Drive to Survive became available on Apple TV+ for the first time, while Netflix gained the right to stream the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix live for US subscribers.
Drive to Survive has received significant recognition for increasing the visibility of Formula One, particularly among American fans with limited prior exposure to the sport. The series has been credited with driving a measurable increase in race attendance and television viewership in the United States.
However, the production has also attracted criticism for prioritising drama over accuracy. Specific complaints include the fabrication of commentary, the misplacement of team radio recordings, the staging of scenes, and the overdramatisation of incidents and interpersonal conflicts. Max Verstappen declined to participate in interviews for multiple seasons, citing what he described as the show's creation of false rivalries and its portrayal of certain drivers as villains for entertainment purposes. After discussions with producers, Verstappen agreed to participate in Season 5, on the condition that his representation would remain accurate. His return was reflected in a generally more measured depiction.
The behind-the-scenes documentary format pioneered by Drive to Survive was adapted for Formula One's junior categories. F1 TV released Chasing the Dream in 2020, covering the 2019 Formula 2 Championship and providing visibility for drivers competing for promotion to Formula One. The series has continued through subsequent seasons, with later editions made available on YouTube for free global streaming. The Drive to Survive format influenced similar documentary productions across other motorsport series seeking to expand their audiences.