Netflix hit the jackpot with Formula 1. They debuted their critically acclaimed ‘Drive to Survive’ docuseries back in 2019, and the sport has ever since become a cult classic. Now, on the back of its meteoric success, the streaming platform has decided to roll out its latest venture: a Golf series starring Formula 1 driver, per sports business expert Joe Pompliano.
Formula 1 was a global market before Netflix stepped in. That being said, the advent of the docuseries has led to a massive influx of fans that has grown the fan following of the sport leaps and bounds than ever before.
F1 was a sport for the purists. That meant it was largely being deprived of a larger demographic of fans who just wanted an entry point into the sport. And Drive to Survive served that to them on a platter. Naturally, since the show premiered on Netflix, the sport has seen a massive jump in viewership both on the track and in terms of broadcasting numbers.
Netflix ready to debut F1-themed Golf series
Both entities know the pull they have. Hence, it should not come as a surprise that Netflix, after its monumental success foraying into the world of F1, would want to experiment and surpass the boundaries of how sports entertainment is consumed in the United States.
That’s exactly why the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix is going to be the testing ground for a pathbreaking collaboration between F1, Netflix, and the sport of Golf. That’s right, Netflix has a project in the pipeline that is going to get two of, arguably, the most popular sports to the fans in one bite-sized blockbuster!
Pompliano reported on Twitter, “Netflix is kicking off the Las Vegas GP by hosting its first live sports event — a golf match between F1 drivers & PGA players.” And the line-up is as star-studded as it can be. According to Pompliano, Lando Norris, Alex Albon, Carlos Sainz, and Pierre Gasly will be participating in the event.
F1 to prove stiff competition to the stars of Golf
Both Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris have an unmatched affinity for the game of Golf within the Formula 1 paddock. What’s more, Charles Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, and Alex Albon have all spent their time off the race track on the Golf course together.
It’s no secret that the ‘inner circle’ of the younger generation of the sport have really developed a special and deep bond despite being rivals. That means, in preparation for this tournament, the F1 drivers have inadvertently put in a lot of practice hours.
Don’t think the PGA players will walk over the F1 gang. As it turns out, the F1 boys are pretty well versed with the sport of Golf and are expected to give the established PGA stars a run for their money, courtesy of Netflix.
