Lando Norris has criticised the creators of Netflix's hit Formula 1 series, saying they are creating “artificial stories” and claiming they have “lost touch with reality”.
Norris, who took pole position at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, was interviewed a week after the seventh episode of Drive to Survive was released, helping to boost Formula One's fan base.
The second episode, 'Frenemies', looks at the rivalry between 25-year-old Norris and Red Bull's Max Verstappen as they battled for the title last season.
In the episode, 27-year-old Verstappen was depicted as looking very upset after Norris's maiden win in Miami, although the footage of the Dutch driver shown immediately after the race was filmed much later in the season.
“They need to show more of the truth about people,” Norris said when asked about his opinion of the new series.
“I am not a fan of falsehood. I want facts. I don't want to see the fictional scenarios and artificially created nonsense that are there.
“There is no need to create drama by portraying Max and our intense struggle. Just show the facts.
“If someone is portrayed incorrectly, people can form false opinions about that person. It's almost a lie in a way, and I just don't think it's right. They just get it all mixed up and they don't care when it happens.
“Maybe it should be more of a documentary about the season than a show, as they're trying to make it out to be. It's gone too far.”
Verstappen also gave his reaction to the Netflix episode, saying: “Obviously I was very upset after Miami. I literally had a great time on Sunday night, so I don't know what I was so upset about.”
An F1 spokesman said: “Drive to Survive has been an important part of growing the sport and attracting new audiences. We should focus on the positive impact of the series rather than criticising something that has brought huge benefits to the sport as a whole.”
Defending its position, Box To Box Films, the company behind Drive to Survive, said: “The stories we present in the Drive to Survive series are not fictional. The narratives are faithful to real events.
“To make Formula 1 more appealing to a wider audience, we tell these stories in a compelling and engaging way that has helped bring leagues of new fans to the sport. It’s a legacy we’re incredibly proud of.
“We would certainly like to have cameras next to the riders 24 hours a day to capture every moment, but that’s not possible; we have to edit the limited footage we can get.
“The show is made under enormous scheduling pressure and sometimes mistakes are made. When they are pointed out to us, as was the case this year with some of the footage of Max after the Miami Grand Prix, we try to correct these unintentional errors.
“Ultimately, Drive to Survive is an entertainment show, not a season review, and we hope to continue to help F1 deliver entertaining content.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
