Katie George didn’t know much about Formula 1 before the release of “Drive to Survive.” Like many, she was first introduced to the sport through the Netflix series, which was first released in 2018.
The show documented Formula 1 in a way never before done with sports. With only a handful of drivers to cover, everything about the sport was accessible, giving viewers a personal connection even with all the star power. With a sport so unlike tradition, the show’s release pushed the boundaries of the typical American sports fan. The show grew Formula 1 in the ways it hoped, turning interest into viewers and into fans.
George was hooked immediately.
“I grew up in Kentucky so I’ve been to the Kentucky Speedway a couple times. I’d attended some NASCAR and attended the Indy 500,” George said. “I’ve always enjoyed it but I was never a diehard fan and didn’t follow the sports until ‘Drive to Survive.’ Really watching that kind of gave me an itch to think, what are the possibilities?”
She reached out to ESPN, and soon after was on the ground for the 2022 Miami Grand Prix providing digital content through pre-race and post-race shows.
MORE: Watch Formula 1 races live all season on ESPN+
Her responsibilities with ESPN’s Formula 1 coverage have only grown…
