Drive to Survive is the rare sports documentary that transcends its subject matter. You don't need to care about F1 to get hooked—the show is masterfully edited to create narrative tension, character arcs, and genuine drama from a sport that can seem inaccessible.

For teens, it's genuinely enriching: you see engineering in action, strategy under pressure, global business dynamics, and what it takes to perform at elite levels. The profanity is real (these are stressed-out people in high-stakes moments), and the competitive drama can be intense, but it's all within the bounds of a sports doc.

The Common Sense Media rating of 15+ feels slightly conservative—most 13-year-olds who watch sports or competitive shows will be fine. The real question is interest level: if your kid is into cars, sports, competition, or just well-made documentaries, this delivers. If they're not, they'll probably bounce off it.

Bottom line: It's entertaining, educational, and genuinely well-made. Not exactly wholesome family viewing for young kids, but a solid choice for teens and a show parents can actually enjoy watching with them.