Bye-Week Content: 8 Events from DTS Season 7 Important for 2025

Drive To Survive: every fan either loves it or hates it. However, nobody can deny that the Netflix docu-series has a special inside view to moments that are usually left off of the average weekend streaming. While some scenes may be dramatized and sensationalized, Drive To Survive recaps the 2024 season beautifully in a way that connects the past to the present. These 8 important events from season 6 of the show will continue to be influential during the 2025 racing season.

1) Lando Norris’ wins

In 2024, Lando Norris won the Grands Prix in Miami, Singapore, the Netherlands, and Abu Dhabi. After being antagonized, insulted, and called “Lando No-wins” by viewers, Norris proved himself as a race-winner and possible contender for the WDC title in 2025. He is not the naive driver he once was, now willing to lay more on the line and face higher risk if it means higher reward. Norris could turn out to be a serious force in 2025 if the car is strong, and his successes in 2024 only reflect the same in the future.

2) Oscar Piastri’s wins

Oscar Piastri took the top step of the podium in Hungary and Azerbaijan in 2024, and the young Aussie is ready for even more success to follow. This will be his third year driving for the McLaren F1 team, and similarly to Norris, he should perform well with a formidable car. Piastri has shown that he does not care for whatever divides may exist on the grid, that he will beat anyone to win, and that he isn’t afraid to speak his mind on his opinions of other drivers. Piastri, with a newly-signed contract extension, will be a tough opponent to defeat this upcoming season.

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner with wife Geri Halliwell, aka Ginger Spice. Photo courtesy of Hello.

3) Christian Horner allegation troubles

In early February of 2024, rumors started to circle about Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner having a possibly inappropriate online relationship with a female staff member at Red Bull. An independent investigation was initiated, and eventually it was declared that Horner was cleared from allegations. The ruling was later overturned after photo evidence of the scandal was released, and Red Bull still suffers tension within the team and leadership. Horner has always been a controversial figure to the other team principals, but now the credibility of Red Bull is tainted, especially Horner’s relationship with Jos Verstappen, Max’s dad. With rookie Liam Lawson joining the team and the slow decline of Red Bull’s performance in 2024, it is unclear how smoothly the 2025 season will go.

4) Carlos Sainz’s move to Atlassian Williams Racing

In February of 2024, Lewis Hamilton announced a change that would rock the world of F1 - the 12-season-loyal driver to Mercedes was transferring to Ferrari for the 2025 season and beyond. Of course Charles Leclerc, the chosen one of Ferrari, would not be the one to lose his seat, and instead Carlos Sainz was dropped by the Italian team. Sainz looked at options at Alpine, Sauber, and Williams, but ultimately decided to wear cobalt blue for 2025 beside new teammate Alex Albon. So far, the car has been incredibly quick, which is not expected from an unproven team like Williams. Sainz seems content at his new team, wanting to bring it back to its former glory and help rebuild along with Team Principal James Vowles. 2025 looks like an opportunity for Williams to achieve some success, and I can’t wait to see how this season goes for them.

Leclerc grinning after a sweet victory in Monaco. Photo courtesy of Forbes.

5) Charles Leclerc breaking the Monaco curse

Let’s recap each Monaco race that Leclerc has driven since he joined Ferrari: in 2019 he was eliminated in Q1 because of a strategy mistake and DNF’d the race, in 2020 he DNF’d the race, in 2021 he missed the event due to a gearbox failure, and in 2022 he placed fourth after a poor pit stop. As the Monegasque driver was unable to win his home race due to poor Ferrari strategy and not being able to even start the race due to technical failures, Leclerc’s bad luck was dubbed the Monaco curse by many fans. However, Leclerc placed P1 in qualifying and won the race in 2024 in a show of extreme skill and pride - a day that the tifosi will forever remember. After the race, Leclerc was emotional as he dedicated his helmet and race win to his late godfather Jules Bianchi and his family at the race. This is one of the most rewarding events of the 2024 season, and now that the “curse” is “broken,” Leclerc has good chances this year in Monaco to prove himself again.

6) Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in Singapore

Beloved Aussie, honey badger, biggest smile on the grid, and so much more: Daniel Ricciardo was one of the most familiar and welcoming faces on the grid for 14 years. During his time in F1, Ricciardo raced for Red Bull, Renault, McLaren, and the Visa CashApp RB Formula One team (now Racing Bulls). Ricciardo was known for his laughter and genuine joy for the sport, but after his shocking switch from Red Bull to Renault, even his attitude couldn’t save his plummeting performance. In 2024 at the Singapore Grand Prix, Ricciardo raced his last race, placing P18 in the VCARB car. After that race, kiwi Liam Lawson took his seat to become Yuki Tsunoda’s new teammate. Since leaving the sport, Ricciardo has been promoting his brand Enchanté, and fans think he may return when Cadillac becomes the 11th team on the grid in 2026. No matter what’s next for Ricciardo, I hope he knows how loved he is by fans and that he left a unique and positive impact on the sport.

Bottas giving a cheeky smile from his new role as reserve and test driver. Photo courtesy of Mercedes.

7) Valtteri Bottas’ move from Sauber

Valtteri Bottas has been racing for 12 F1 seasons so far, and although his fame may not compare to more popular drivers such as Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen, the Finnish driver is not completely unknown. Bottas raced alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes from 2017-2021 before his replacement by George Russell. Bottas left at the end of the season to drive for Alfa Romeo, now called Sauber. Sauber is a consistently bottom-tier team, and while it kept Bottas in the sport, not many successes came of his move. In 2025, Bottas signed as Mercedes’ reserve and test driver, ready in case Russell or rookie Kimi Antonelli miss a race. This could either be the start of Bottas’ gradual exit from F1 or the opposite as he may find a future seat by signing for the premium team - only time will tell.

8) McLaren’s WCC title win

As you probably know, 2024 was the year of papaya on top as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri secured the Constructor’s Championship with McLaren. The MCL38 was an incredible car, and its sleek and quick design definitely helped McLaren become a major contender and ultimately winner of the championship. Norris finished the season with 374 points as Piastri ended with 292 for a total of 666 points overall. Unveiled at the F175 live event in February, the MCL39 is largely the same as last year’s car - which makes sense as McLaren hopes for another Constructor’s victory. Both drivers have been performing well at preseason and the first practices, and they could continue to dominate this season in a strategic and well-built car.

A post-win celebration between Piastri and Norris in Abu Dhabi. Photo courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter.

All of the exciting events above + Will Buxton and Jensen Button narrating the docu-series = a season that will most likely be a rollercoaster ride and difficult to beat. I’m so excited for the entertainment ahead, both on track and summed up at the end of the season for DTS season 8. Hope you enjoyed reading about these connections, and as always, thanks for reading!

Lights out and away we go,

Lucy xx