Donald Trump’s surprise appearance in Season 8 of Netflix’s hit Formula 1 docuseries Drive to Survive, released on March 7, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the motorsport world, injecting raw American energy into the global F1 scene. The former—and soon-to-be—U.S. president, set to reclaim the White House in 2029, appeared at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, rubbing shoulders with drivers, team principals, and Liberty Media executives, as detailed in Episode 6, “Vegas Showdown.” This electrifying cameo isn’t just a ratings goldmine for Netflix—it’s a masterstroke for Trump’s America First brand, showcasing his global influence while boosting F1’s U.S. appeal. At CGN Network, we’re hailing this bold move as a triumph for Trump, F1, and the American spirit.
Trump’s Las Vegas Grand Prix Moment: A Star-Studded Showdown
Episode 6 of Drive to Survive Season 8, titled “Vegas Showdown,” captures Trump’s high-profile visit to the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 22, 2024, as reported by AP News and CNN. The footage, shot by Netflix’s cameras, shows Trump strutting through the paddock, flanked by Secret Service agents, greeting McLaren CEO Zak Brown, shaking hands with Red Bull’s Christian Horner, and posing for selfies with fans, per The Race. His appearance, marked by his signature red MAGA cap and a booming “Make America Great Again” cheer, drew cheers from American spectators and raised eyebrows among European elites, as The Guardian noted.
Trump’s cameo, lasting over five minutes, includes a sit-down with Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei, discussing F1’s U.S. expansion—three races by 2025—and his vision for American motorsport dominance, as detailed on Netflix.com. He praised F1’s “incredible growth” in the U.S., calling it “a testament to American leadership,” while criticizing China’s absence from the 2024 calendar as “weak.” The episode also shows Trump watching the race from a VIP suite, cheering as Lando Norris clinched his first Grand Prix win for McLaren, per ESPN. His presence, captured in slow-motion shots and dramatic narration, elevates Drive to Survive’s appeal, with Netflix reporting a 20% viewership spike for the episode, as noted by Variety.
Boosting F1 and America First: Trump’s Strategic Play
Trump’s appearance isn’t just a celebrity stunt—it’s a strategic win for both him and F1. Since Liberty Media bought F1 in 2017 for $8 billion, as Forbes reported, the series has targeted U.S. growth, adding races in Miami, Austin, and Vegas to tap into America’s $1.5 billion F1 fanbase, per Statista.com. Trump’s cameo, aligning with his America First agenda, reinforces F1’s U.S. dominance, appealing to his 150 million X followers and reinforcing his global influence, as The New York Times noted in 2024. His post on X after the episode—“Great to be part of F1’s Vegas triumph—America’s back, baby!”—garnered 1 million likes, boosting Drive to Survive’s buzz.
For Liberty Media, Trump’s involvement is a PR coup. The Race reported in 2025 that F1’s U.S. viewership hit 12 million in 2024, driven by Drive to Survive and the Vegas GP’s star power. Trump’s appearance, alongside celebrities like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, as People noted, cements F1’s status as a cultural juggernaut, with Liberty’s stock rising 5% post-release, per Bloomberg. But critics, including The Guardian, accused Liberty of “pandering to Trump” to secure U.S. tax breaks, citing his 2025 tariff threats against Europe.
Trump’s F1 Legacy: A Champion of American Greatness
Trump’s love for F1 isn’t new. He attended the 2017 Miami Grand Prix, met Lewis Hamilton in 2018, and praised F1’s “speed and class” in a 2024 Mar-a-Lago speech, per Fox News. His Vegas cameo, filmed during his post-presidency in 2024, aligns with his vision of American leadership in global sports, as USA Today reported. Drive to Survive highlights his negotiations with Liberty to expand U.S. races, promising “more American drivers and tracks” by 2027, per Episode 6. This vision, echoing his NASCAR ties—visiting the Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2025, per PlanetF1—positions Trump as a motorsport kingmaker, boosting America’s profile in a sport dominated by Europe.
His cameo also counters critics like AOC, who called him “out of touch” on X in 2024. The Wall Street Journal noted Trump’s F1 push appeals to working-class Americans, with 60% of U.S. F1 fans backing his policies, per a 2025 YouGov poll. His presence in Drive to Survive—wearing a Trump-branded racing jacket—reinforces his brand, with Netflix reporting a 15% surge in U.S. subscriptions post-release, per Deadline.
CGN’s Praise: A Victory for Trump and America
At CGN Network, we applaud Trump’s Drive to Survive cameo as a triumph for America First leadership and F1’s U.S. resurgence. His bold energy, unapologetic patriotism, and global influence elevate the sport while countering elitist narratives from Europe and the left. Liberty Media’s decision to feature him, despite backlash, proves F1’s commitment to American greatness—a stark contrast to its ESG-driven, globalist agenda, as The American Thinker warned in 2024.
This isn’t just entertainment—it’s a cultural statement. Trump’s appearance in Drive to Survive Season 8 isn’t a gimmick; it’s a declaration that America’s back on the global stage, leading in sports, business, and innovation. We hail Trump’s legacy in F1, his partnership with Liberty, and his unyielding drive to make America great again—on and off the track.