The lights are staying green for Netflix’s biggest motorsport gamble. Formula 1: Drive to Survive has officially been renewed for a ninth season, keeping the cameras rolling through the drama of the 2026 grid. But it’s not all good news in the paddock, as the all-female spin-off F1: The Academy looks to have quietly hit the brakes for good.
What’s Confirmed So Far
Executive producers James Gay-Rees and Paul Martin confirmed the renewal, promising the new season will dig deeper into the sport’s hidden corners than ever before. True to its usual release rhythm, Season 9 is expected to drop on the Friday of pre-season testing, just a week before the new Formula One season kicks off.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Show | Formula 1: Drive to Survive |
| Renewed For | Season 9 |
| Platform | Netflix |
| Expected Drop | Pre-season testing Friday |
| Season 8 Views | 5.7M (first 2 weeks) |
| Long-Term Goal | 10 seasons total |
| Spin-off Status | F1: The Academy not returning |
Why This Renewal Matters
Since debuting in 2019, Drive to Survive has done more than entertain, it’s widely credited with turbocharging Formula 1’s popularity in the United States and turning team principals into household names. Even with Season 8 sharing rights with Apple TV+ for live races, viewership numbers have held up impressively well, giving F1 executives confidence to aim even higher.
Speaking about the show’s future, Formula 1’s Chief Media Rights Officer Ian Holmes admitted nobody expected the series to run this long, revealing plans are already in motion for a milestone tenth season. To keep things fresh, producers are experimenting with more self-shot, driver-led footage, building on techniques first tested during the Singapore and Las Vegas Grands Prix.
The Numbers Tell An Interesting Story
While the show remains a hit, viewership has gradually declined season over season, based on Season 4 through Season 8’s two-week launch numbers. Despite that dip, Holmes insists the audience retention is still remarkably strong for a show eight seasons deep.
What About F1: The Academy?
Unfortunately, the same enthusiasm doesn’t extend to F1: The Academy, the Reese Witherspoon-produced spin-off following the sport’s all-female racing tier. Despite decent buzz around the actual F1 Academy racing series, the Netflix docuseries pulled in far fewer views than its parent show, and with no official word on a second season, fans are increasingly convinced it’s been quietly shelved.
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