There's an underlying feeling that grows stronger as you make your way through the episodes of Netflix's seventh Formula 1 quasi-documentary: they know each other a lot better now. There's a lot less stating the obvious or over-explaining the basics. Even the main characters introduce themselves to the camera far less often - and when they do, there's usually a good reason, like Andrea Kimi Antonelli forgetting his team's full name. Netflix no longer seems amazed by the inner workings of F1. Season 7 continues the steady shift toward tying the storylines more closely to the action on the track.
On the other hand, it also feels like everyone in the paddock is now fully aware that Netflix is always there. Judging by how few moments there are when people really let something slip in private conversations, it seems that F1 people are more cautious when the microphones are on. Sure, Christian Horner gets caught calling Zak Brown a "prick," but later he's not exactly shy about saying something similar in an on-camera interview. Guenther Steiner's absence is definitely felt in this regard. There's still some paddock chatter caught on camera, but nothing quite like Steiner's phone calls with Gene Haas.
