Netflix teams up with Formula 1 for documentary series

Netflix has partnered with Formula 1 for a season-long collaboration on a docu-series that follows the 2018 FIA Formula One World Championship, set to be screened in early 2019.

The original series will take audiences inside the cockpits, the paddock and the lives of the key players in Formula 1. It will have exclusive access to the world’s fastest drivers, team principals and owners, as well as Formula 1’s own management team.

Netflix has commissioned 10 episodes from the 2018 season. The series will be executive-produced by James Gay Rees (Senna) and Paul Martin for Box to Box Films. Sophie Todd will be showrunner.

Bela Bajaria, VP of content for Netflix, said: “This partnership with Formula 1 furthers our mission of working with world-class brands and production partners to produce best-in-class unscripted series.

“We can’t wait for this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix and to embark on an incredible season across the world.”

Sean Bratches, F1 managing director of commercial operations, said: “Formula 1 is a global sport that we are actively repositioning from a motorsport company to a media and entertainment brand.

“The agreement with Netflix serves to chronicle the fascinating story of what transpires behind the scenes during a grand prix season.

“This is a perspective of the sport that has yet to be unveiled to fans around the world. This series will unleash a compelling vantage point to the sport that will delight fans and serve as a catalyst to entice new fans.”

The docu-series becomes the latest in a string of sports investments by SVOD services and cable networks. Amazon and Netflix have both recently found audiences for original sports-themed docs such as Last Chance U and All or Nothing. Most recently, Amazon also greenlit a La Liga football docu-series.

HBO Europe and HBO Latin America have also announced Destino Rusia 2018 as their first coproduced doc series.