Perez defends 'Drive to Survive' after Verstappen snub

Sergio Perez has leapt to the defence of Netflix docu-series 'Drive to Survive' after Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen's slating and snub of the series.

Ahead of this weekend's United States Grand Prix, Verstappen revealed he had chosen not to take part in the popular programme this year as “they [Netflix] would fake a lot of stuff.”

Speaking to the Associated Press, he explained: “They faked a few rivalries which don’t really exist, 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.”

Perez was featured heavily in this year's series three episode 'Man on Fire' which largely focused on Romain Grosjean's crash in Bahrain last year.

The episode was one that drew criticism for overdramatising the Frenchman's fiery accident, stretching the 28 seconds from impact to extraction to over four minutes.

It also drew ire for the blatant staging of a phone call from team principal Christian Horner to Perez wherein the former said 'Welcome to Red Bull' before turning to the camera and announcing the driver for 2021.

Asked his opinion of the series, Perez explained: “First of all, I really respect Drive to Survive because what it has done for Formula 1 is tremendous. It’s really something I appreciate.

"Honestly, at the beginning I didn’t think it was that big or that important for our sport and then secondly, yeah, they probably create some drama.

“The way they sell the sport is a bit of a drama. It is a show but at the end of the day, it is good for the sport and is good for the fans so I am happy with it.”

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 star Lewis Hamilton issues heartfelt Macklemore statement after Ed Sheeran tour axe

• Yesterday 23:23

Red Bull star's F1 future boosted with rival tipped to race in Japan in 2027

• Yesterday 22:27

Controversial F1 race director Michael Masi lands top job

• Yesterday 21:45

Ferrari 'Achilles' heel' exposed after big missed opportunity for Lewis Hamilton

• Yesterday 20:45

Max vs 100 Results: Final times and positions as Verstappen takes on epic Silverstone challenge

• Yesterday 19:43

Max Verstappen series switch gets green light as F1 2027 calendar confirmed

• Yesterday 17:45