Inside Netflix’s Drive to Survive Season 8 with Series Director | F1, AusGP & Monaco Stories
Paddock 43: An F1 PodcastShow Notes
This week on Paddock 43 we sit down with David Hayes, Series Director of Formula 1: Drive to Survive, just days before Season 8 drops on Netflix.
With Drive to Survive Season 8 releasing Friday, 27th, we go behind the scenes of the global Formula 1 phenomenon that reshaped the sport and the fandom.
David shares what it’s really like filming inside the F1 paddock, how storylines are crafted across a chaotic race season, and the pressure of producing one of the most-watched sports docuseries in the world.
We also dive into:
What fans can expect from Drive to Survive Season 8 How the series has transformed Formula 1 globally Behind-the-scenes moments that never make it to air A wholesome and hilarious story about Lando Norris in Monaco Early thoughts on the 2026 Formula 1 season Australian Grand Prix anticipation and what makes Melbourne so special
And yes… we were filmed for the upcoming season and then cut from the final edit. 😂 We unpack how that happens and why storytelling in F1 is more complex than fans realise.
If you love Formula 1, Netflix’s Drive to Survive, the Australian Grand Prix, or want insider insight into how modern F1 media is made, this episode is a must-listen.
Listen now and follow Paddock 43 for weekly F1 race previews, behind-the-scenes interviews, and motorsport culture conversations. 🏁 Welcome to Paddock 43 – The Formula 1 Podcast That Keeps It Real!
🏎️💨If you love F1 drama, race breakdowns, driver gossip, and unfiltered opinions, you’re in the right place! Paddock 43 is your go-to podcast for everything happening on and off the track
.🚥 What You’ll Get Every Week:
✅ Race Recaps & Analysis – Who dominated, who bottled it, and what it means for the championship.
✅ Breaking F1 News & Rumours – Driver transfers, team drama, FIA chaos—nothing’s off-limits.
✅ F1 Lifestyle & Behind-the-Scenes – From team principals to race engineers, we break it all down.
✅ Hot Takes & Debate Segments – lets get controversial
Unlike other F1 podcasts, we bring the energy, the humour, and the unfiltered takes—just like chatting F1 with your best mates.
Subscribe & Never Miss an Episode!
🔔💬 Join the Paddock 43 Community:
📲 Follow us on Instagram (@paddock43podcast) & TikTok (@Paddock43Podcast) for BTS, F1 Memes, Live Q&As, and Breaking News Updates.🎤 Got a question or F1 hot take? Drop it in the comments—we might feature it in the next episode!🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube – Hit that follow button so you never miss a race-week recap!🏁 Welcome to Paddock 43—where F1 meets the fans. Let’s race!
🏎️💨@ellebaillieu
More from Paddock 43: An F1 Podcast
James Coker joins Elle to talk F1 fandom, why he stepped away from WTF1, and the realities of making motorsport content. Plus: did McLaren favour Lando, is Oscar Piastri’s Grill’d burger cursed, and what will Kimi Antonelli do in Austin? Honest opinions, US Grand Prix predictions and an unexpectedly passionate burger review.
Back from Singapore, and I think Lewis got the gamble wrong, McLaren’s collision was unnecessary, and Kim Kardashian handled her PR brilliantly. Plus: Max’s first Singapore win, my Zone 1 Walkabout experience, F1’s return to Africa and what the V8 comeback actually means.
What actually happened in Malaysia? F1 journalist and On the Grid author Luke Smith joins Elle to explain the software chaos, what he heard in the paddock and why testing missed the problem. With over a decade covering F1, Luke breaks down the regulations, the fix and what comes next—plus Singapore tips and the latest calendar discussion.
Franco’s Baku mistake deserved more than five grid places, in my opinion. But the abuse that followed online? Absolutely not.