Max Verstappen says he refused to take part in the latest series of Netflix’s hit docu-series, Drive to Survive.
The Red Bull driver, who currently leads the world championship, will obviously feature in the show given he is in a tight battle with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, but he refused to give one-on-one interviews to Netflix for the programme.
The Dutchman blamed the way the shows creators twisted comments and “fake a lot of stuff” for the enjoyment of the viewer.
“I understand that it needs to be done to boost the popularity in America,” Verstappen told The Associated Press ahead of F1’s return to America this weekend. “But from my side as a driver, I don’t like being part of it.
“They faked a few rivalries which they don’t really exist,” he explained. “So I decided to not be a part of it and did not give any more interviews after that because then there is nothing you can show.
“I am not really a dramatic show kind of person, I just want facts and real things to happen.”
Asked if they would present him and Hamilton as bitter rivals, he replied: “Probably in the Netflix show we will be. One time we bumped into each other walking, so probably that will be in there.”
Drive to Survive has been a huge hit for Netflix and F1, with it boosting the sport’s popularity worldwide, particularly in the USA.
Ferrari and Mercedes refused to participate in the first season of the show, but later caved into pressure after witnessing its popularity.
