The Seat
There are some stories that only WhatsApp can tell.
When Formula 1 superstar Lewis Hamilton announced in December that he would be leaving the Mercedes team for Ferrari after 246 Grands Prix, 84 victories, and 6 drivers’ championships in 12 seasons, much of the focus was on Hamilton’s future plans.
Just as compelling was the empty seat Hamilton was leaving at Mercedes, his departure triggered an intense and extremely private internal process for the automaker—the search for a successor.
"The Seat" is a 45-minute documentary about Kimi Antonelli's journey to becoming a Formula 1 driver for Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, replacing Lewis Hamilton. It premiered on May 5 on Netflix and it got to the streamer’s Top 10 in several countries on its first week. The film is an inside look into the private WhatsApp calls and chats that led to a once-in-a-generation driver change in Mercedes and F1 history. It’s a 45-minute documentary that reveals the private conversations that led the Mercedes team and Toto Wolff, its Team Principal & CEO, to its decision to promote 18-year-old Italian-born Kimi Antonelli to a Formula 1 Driver, making him the third-youngest rookie in the sport’s history.
“It all happened on WhatsApp because the entire Mercedes team literally runs on the app. You very rarely ever send an email. It’s all done on WhatsApp. We have hundreds of WhatsApp groups, and that’s how our entire team is organized, from little details around traveling to big things like engineering and car designs. It’s all shared across WhatsApp.” Toto.
The film explores in real time one of the most pivotal moments in the team's history, which shocked the world upon announcement last August. Viewers are given intimate access into Antonelli’s mental and physical preparation in the lead up to his first Formula 1 season with Mercedes — currently developing in real time. The documentary showcases the rigorous process that Antonelli endured, with peeks into his personal life, including his Italian roots and the unwavering support of his close-knit family, which plays a crucial role in his journey and success.
The Seat is not a paid advertising arrangement with Netflix; it was acquired by the streamer in the same way other film and television content is acquired.
Trailer
