Yuki Tsunoda’s career has taken a downturn after his fame from Drive to Survive – but he’s not the only one.
Drive to Survive has truly changed Formula 1 and brought the sport to fans worldwide. The Netflix series not only shows the exciting side of racing but also gives us a peek into the personalities and stories of the drivers both on and off the track. Fans have loved following the personal journeys of these racers as they try to make their mark in the tough world of F1.
The show has created an interesting mix. Some drivers became very popular thanks to the show, but that doesn’t always mean they had the same success on the track. On the other hand, some drivers who didn’t get much screen time don’t have as big a fanbase.
Here’s a look at some Drive to Survive stars who didn’t quite live up to their new fame.
Yuki Tsunoda quickly won fans with his funny personality and honest radio messages. The show first followed him in 2021 during his rookie year and his move to Milton Keynes, which he jokingly called “the most boring place in the world.” Over time, he grew into a key team player after Pierre Gasly left and stayed with AlphaTauri until they rebranded as Racing Bulls in 2024. He then joined Red Bull’s senior team in 2025. Despite this, he was replaced by Isack Hadjar in 2026 and became a reserve driver. He hasn’t raced since the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but might return next year with Haas.
Daniel Ricciardo was another fan favourite thanks to his great sense of humor and funny comments on the show. He often joked about being the funniest and best-looking driver on the circuit. Ricciardo was a star from the first season when many teams didn’t want to be on camera. He was seen as a possible world champion but ended up moving between teams, including Renault and McLaren. He returned to Red Bull as a reserve driver in 2024 but was outperformed by Tsunoda before retiring. Now, Ricciardo is Ford Racing’s global ambassador, finishing his F1 career with eight wins and 32 podiums over 13 years.
Romain Grosjean stood out in the early seasons when fewer teams agreed to join the documentary. His struggles at Haas in 2018 were well documented. He raced for Haas until 2020, when he had a terrifying crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix. His amazing escape from the fiery crash touched many hearts. That race was his last in F1. After that, he switched to IndyCar in 2021, earning his first pole at the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, then moved to sports car racing before returning to IndyCar full-time in 2024.
Kevin Magnussen was one of the early stars thanks to his rivalry with Nico Hulkenberg, which highlighted the battle between Haas and Renault for fourth place in the constructors’ championship. He stayed with Haas until 2020 before racing in IMSA, IndyCar, and even the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Magnussen returned to Haas in 2022, but his 2024 season was his last after a race ban following a clash with Pierre Gasly. He holds the record for the most F1 starts without leading a lap and went back to sports cars with BMW in 2025.
While not a driver, Guenther Steiner became famous on the show for his straightforward attitude and colorful language. He was Haas’ team principal from 2016 to 2023 and featured heavily in the early seasons. His contract wasn’t renewed in 2024, but he’s stayed in motorsport as a media personality, author, and commentator for German broadcaster RTL. Steiner also worked as a race ambassador for the Miami Grand Prix and led a group that bought the Red Bull KTM Tech3 MotoGP team.
Christian Horner was always in the spotlight on Drive to Survive, with plenty of scenes showing his family life too — including a funny moment when Father Christmas asked him if he’d been good this year! Horner was Red Bull’s team principal and CEO until 2025, during which the team won six World Constructors’ Championships. He left midway through 2025 and hasn’t taken on a new role yet, but rumors say he might join Aston Martin soon.
These Drive to Survive stars have given fans plenty to cheer and talk about, even if their time in the spotlight hasn’t always matched their racing success.