Formula 1: Drive to Survive has caused a global phenomenon: a surge of new fans to F1 and scores of casual viewers eagerly awaiting the next instalment of the smash-hit Netflix series. The wait is almost over.

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Season 5 of the docuseries that takes fans behind the curtain of Formula 1 is rounding the final bend of the formation lap, ready for lights out.

The show will cover the 2022 season as Max Verstappen routed the competition to clinch his second world title in far less dramatic but no less impressive fashion than his first.

Mercedes grew into the season. Hamilton and new teammate George Russell started miles off Verstappen's pace in 2022, but steadily clawed their way into the game to finish strongly. Ferrari showed notable improvements despite a number of questionable strategy calls.

Sebastian Vettel has retired from the sport and will be sure to receive a hero's send-off in the documentary when it finally hits our screens.

While there may not be a pivotal controversial moment to hang the entire season's success on, fans will still be eager to soak up a fresh run of episodes from F1:DTS for all the behind-the-scenes drama.

RadioTimes.com rounds up everything you need to know about the Formula 1: Drive to Survive season 5 release date and more.

Formula 1: Drive to Survive season 5 release date confirmed

Formula 1: Drive to Survive will be released on Friday 24th February 2023.

Once again, the series has been co-ordinated to match the start of the F1 2023 calendar.

The date falls in the middle of pre-season testing in Bahrain. The season starts earlier in 2023 given that it is the longest race calendar in history.

What time is Formula 1: Drive to Survive season 5 released?

As with all Netflix Original shows, Formula 1: Drive to Survive will be released at midnight Pacific Time, which translates as 8am UK time.

This means you can enjoy an uninterrupted night of sleep before diving into the series bright and early in the morning.

How many episodes in Formula 1: Drive to Survive season 5?

There will be 10 episodes in Formula 1: Drive to Survive season 5. Check out the episode titles and synopses below:

Episode 1 - The New Dawn
As the season begins in Bahrain, Ferrari hopes new cars will finally propel them to the top, and Haas makes a risky bet on a last-minute driver switch.

Episode 2 - Bounce Back
Mercedes principal Toto Wolff works to combat the team's unexpected struggles, while Lewis Hamilton navigates a bumpy ride in the team's redesigned car.

Episode 3 - Like Father, Like Son?
Crashes and costs mount for Haas as driver Mick Schumacher fights to live up to his father's racing legacy and prove his worth to the team.

Episode 4 - Matter of Principal
Ferrari drivers and decision-makers feel the pressure of high expectations at a star-studded new event in Miami and a game-changing race at Silverstone.

Episode 5 - Hot Seat
As the Red Bull team pushes to build on their lead against Ferrari, all eyes are on Sergio "Checo" Pérez during a dramatic Monaco Grand Prix.

Episode 6 - Pardon My French
Otmar Szafnauer's efforts to overhaul Alpine bear fruit — until a new round of driver musical chairs throws his plans for the future into question.

Episode 7 - Nice Guys Finish Last
Daniel Ricciardo's future starts to look uncertain when McLaren team managers set their sights on new talent, while Alpine weighs the best way forward.

Episode 8 - Alpha Male
When Pierre Gasly announces he's leaving Alpha Tauri, Yuki Tsunoda faces losing a teammate and a friend. Can he step up to show that he's ready to lead?

Episode 9 - Over the Limit
With both championships within reach, Red Bull's team faces incendiary accusations that they've cheated by violating a league-wide spending cap.

Episode 10 - End of the Road
The 2022 season hurtles toward a conclusion in Abu Dhabi, where Ferrari fights to hold off Mercedes and McLaren hopes for a miracle to overtake Alpine.

Is there a Formula 1: Drive to Survive season 5 trailer?

Here it is, the final trailer for Formula 1: Drive to Survive season 5.

Will Max Verstappen be in Formula 1: Drive to Survive season 5?

Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton
Formula 1: Drive to Survive season 5 will show the entirety of the Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton battle. Getty Images

Based on the very first-look trailer, the answer has to be: YES.

Unfortunately, Verstappen refused to take part in Formula 1: Drive to Survive season 4, claiming that storylines had been engineered in previous seasons of the show.

However, Verstappen appears to have pulled a U-turn since his non-appearance in S4 by featuring in the S5 trailer – a huge sign that he has been interviewed by the DTS team.

Explaining why he wouldn’t feature in the fourth season, he said that he didn’t "like being a part of it", according to the Associated Press, adding: “I understand that it needs to be done to boost the popularity in America. But from my side as a driver, I don’t like being part of it."

He continued: “They faked a few rivalries which they don’t really exist. So I decided to not be a part of it and did not give any more interviews after that because then there is nothing you can show.

"I am not really a dramatic show kind of person, I just want facts and real things to happen.”

Check out Box to Box Films' response to Max Verstappen not appearing in Formula 1: Drive to Survive season 4.

Formula 1: Drive to Survive season 5 will be available to watch on Netflix later this year. Seasons 1 to 4 are available now on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £6.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.

If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide, or visit our Sport hub for all the latest news.

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Authors

Michael PottsSport Editor

Michael Potts is the Sport Editor for Radio Times, covering all of the biggest sporting events across the globe with previews, features, interviews and more. He has worked for Radio Times since 2019 and previously worked on the sport desk at Express.co.uk after starting his career writing features for What Culture. He achieved a first-class degree in Sports Journalism in 2014.

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