Former Alpine boss explains quirky tape trick to signal Netflix microphones
Otmar Szafnauer said he used a strip of tape marked “Netflix” on his forehead to alert colleagues when he was being recorded for the Drive to Survive series.
In a recent appearance on the High Performance Racing podcast, former Alpine F1 Team principal Otmar Szafnauer revealed how he signaled his presence on a Netflix microphone during filming for the Drive to Survive documentary. He explained that he affixed a small tape labeled “Netflix” to his forehead whenever he was miked on the pit wall, allowing team members to recognize the recording situation instantly. Szafnauer clarified that the audio equipment was deployed only when Alpine was the focus of a given episode, and he would also be miked on the grid in those moments.
He stressed that, even though the series airs after the season, safeguarding tactical discussions on the pit wall remains crucial. The series, produced by Netflix and Box to Box Films, has boosted the sport’s popularity, especially in the United States, by offering viewers unprecedented behind-the-scenes access.
Why it matters
It shows how F1 teams balance media exposure with the need to protect competitive secrets.
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