Lando Norris has said he enjoyed the fourth season of Drive to Survive, but noted that they misplaced a team radio message in an attempt to create drama between him and team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.
The fourth season of the popular docuseries was released last week during the second day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, and the McLaren pair had previously sat down to watch an early release.
It covered the Australian’s arrival from Renault, and his stuttering opening year with the Woking squad, as well as placing emphasis on the Briton’s comment that he did not feel “sympathy” for the 32-year-old.
He revealed that the series is insightful and gave a good perspective into the beginning of the relationship between the newly introduced teammates.
“I watched episodes one and two,” he told reporters.
“I won’t spoil it as it’s the first proper introduction to Daniel, myself and us at McLaren. I think it’s good, gives you good insight.”
‘Out of place’ comments
However, he joined Max Verstappen and Toto Wolff in emphasising that there is some manipulation at play from the series makers to attempt to manufacture drama.
“From my side it looks good, maybe not so much from the other side (Ricciardo’s) but there are obviously some comments here and there that may be out of place,” he explained.
“When you are the person it’s about, you don’t agree with it so much because it can make you look like you said something at a time and place which is definitely not correct.”
They added in the start of the 2021 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix when the pair went side-by-side into Turn One, and a radio message of the 22-year-old saying “he forced me off” was included, but it was lifted from a completely different race as they barely even got close to one another.
He affirms that the show is still good for the sport as it widens F1’s demographic, but he is unsure about fabrication such as what we saw in episode two.
“There’s a bit of me and Daniel going side by side in turn one when we are not even close and I claim he pushes me off, which is from a completely different race,” Norris explained.
‘Exciting and good’ for Formula 1
Continuing, Norris said that as long as Netflix don’t step over the line, Drive to Survive can be very beneficial for Formula 1.
“There are things which may be a bit too much like that and I don’t agree too much with it. But on the whole, I think it’s just exciting and good for everyone.
“As long as they don’t overdo it and literally make someone look like they have done something they definitely haven’t, I think that’s too far.
“As long as they don’t do that, it’s good.”
Norris and Ricciardo are set to partner each other once again in 2022 as they aim to break into the top three in the Constructors’ Standings having been narrowly beaten to third by Ferrari last year.