Country's fastest man backs Drive to Survive effect

Drive to Survive

Country's fastest man backs Drive to Survive effect

Sprinter Zharnel Hughes has backed Netflix to grow his own sport

Chris Deeley

Saturday 20 January 2024 22:57 Updated: 19:16

Britain's fastest man Zharnel Hughes has backed the 'Drive to Survive' effect to increase interesting in sprinting and athletics, much the way it brought a new audience to Formula 1.

Drive to Survive is arguably Netflix's most successful ongoing docu-series, and has pulled in an entirely new audience for the sport by focusing on the personalities behind the wheel and on the pit wall.

The streaming giant is launching a new NASCAR series later this month too, looking to replicate the success they've had in open-wheel racing.

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The as-yet-unnamed track and field series doesn't have its own release date yet, but Anguilla-born Hughes has been looking at the F1 series as a potential roadmap.

Netflix's Drive to Survive series has been a massive hit

A number of drivers, including Daniel Ricciardo, have had their profiles boosted by Drive to Survive

Hughes: Documentary will have Drive to Survive impact

“I love the experience I’ve had with them,” Hughes told The Guardian. “I definitely think there’s a lot of spice in there that people will gravitate to. And I’m pretty sure you’ll hear some backlash with regards to how people talk about how they get prepared for races and so forth too.

“It’s great exposure for our sport. I think it’ll draw more attention, which we actually need. So it’s a good thing.”

NASCAR Formula 1 Drive to Survive Netflix