In a move that's usually reserved for fast-food chains trading jabs over chicken sandwiches, Formula 1's Red Bull Racing has jumped into the social media fray—taking a playful swing at Netflix over a promotional clip that's sparked a firestorm among fans.

The drama started when Netflix posted a clip from its comedy series Running Point, captioned "How to get your friend into Formula 1." In the scene, one character shows another a picture of Carlos Sainz and gushes about F1 drivers being "hot European guys with perfect cheekbones."

The implication? That the best way to recruit new fans is to focus on the drivers' good looks. While some might find it lighthearted, others—especially longtime female fans who've fought for years to be taken seriously—called it reductive and frustrating. "This is the worst representation of F1 I've ever seen," one fan posted, while others accused Netflix of dragging the conversation back to appearances just when the sport was gaining credibility.

Another common complaint? That the "Americanization" of F1 is turning the paddock into a celebrity-influencer playground, rather than a serious motorsport arena.

Enter Red Bull Racing. The team's official X account, never one to miss an opportunity for a good-natured jab, joined the pile-on. And coming from a team that's both a central figure in Netflix's Drive to Survive docuseries and a key partner in keeping the show alive, the criticism carries extra weight.

This isn't just fan banter—it's a signal that the relationship between the grid and Netflix may be cooling. Red Bull's social media move aligns with what star driver Max Verstappen has been saying for years: that Drive to Survive often fabricates storylines for drama. The Dutch champion has been vocal about his frustration with the show's approach, and now his team seems to be echoing that sentiment.

For F1 fans, especially those who've been following the sport long before the Netflix boom, this moment feels like a turning point. The sport is at a crossroads between maintaining its racing integrity and embracing the entertainment-driven spotlight. And while a little cheeky banter is always welcome, the underlying message is clear: F1 is about the racing, not just the jawlines.