Director: Asif KapadiaStarring: Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost
Genre: Documentary
Year: 2010
How: Apple TV (Netflix)
Notable Awards:
- Sundance Film Festival: World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary
Arguably one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers in history, Aryton Senna is often overlooked due to a career tragically cut short. Delving into the life of a driver at the top his career, and the politics surrounding the sport, Senna is gripping, even for those unfamiliar with Formula 1.
Ayrton Senna was born to a wealthy family in Sao Paulo. Even at an early age he showed great prowess behind the wheel, first driving at the age of seven. By thirteen, Ayrton was competing in karting, which later in life he would regard as "the purest form of racing." The was no money in it, no politics, just racing.
He swiftly moved up in the racing world and by 1984, had a ride with Toleman, a newer team and not one expected to be very competitive. Senna quickly proved himself an extraordinary driver, especially in the rain, something that he demonstrated at the Monaco Grand Prix. Starting 13th Senna quickly worked his way up to second. The rain continued to intensify, yet he making up a staggering four seconds a lap on the leader, Alain Prost. The race was called before taking the lead but his reputation had been established.
For the 1985 season, Senna joined Lotus-Renault. In the second race of the season, Ayrton took his first career pole and converted it first career win, in what was a very rainy Portugese GP. Senna would stay with the team for another two season, honing his skills before leaving for the more formidable McLaren team.
Much of the story is about Ayrton's rivalry with French driver Alain Prost. Prost, already a two time champion, was known as the "Professor" due to his calculating, methodical approach to racing, doing whatever it took to be ahead on points, a stark contrast to Senna's passionate style. Ayrton was not very comfortable with the politics of the sport, something Prost excelled at. Their rivalty truly evolved during the 1988 season, when Senna joined Prost at McLaren.
Senna and Prost put up a facade of friendliness, but both grasped what Ayrton's signing would mean for the team. McLaren dominated the rest of the field. Between the two, they took all but one pole and one victory the entire 1988 season. Their only real competition came from each other. The season would come down to the final race in Japan. Senna had the point lead going into the final race of season in Japan. If he won that race he would win his first championship. But Senna stalled at the start, falling to 14th, but then it started to rain. Ayrton would drive an amazing race and storm all the way back to snatch both the victory and the world championship from Prost.
The 1989 season saw the two drivers become more alienated and the politics of the sport come into play. Something Senna did not enjoy. Once again the season came down the race in Japan, only this time if Senna did not finish, Porst would take the championship. The race was neck and neck, then Prost and Senna came together. Prost race was over but Ayrton drove down a slip road and proceeded to win in spectacular fashion, a result Prost would contest. The president of the FIA at the time, Jean-Marie Balestre, was close with Prost and ruled in favor of the Frenchman, giving him the Championship and suspending Senna from the 1990 season. After, Prost would leave McLaren to drive for Ferrari.
For a third third year in a row the season hinged on the race in Japan. Senna won the pole , only to find that pole position had been moved off the racing line, to a part of the track with half the grip, a decision undoubtedly influenced by Balestre.
The film is a fantastic weave of archival F1 film inter-spliced with TV interviews and rare footage from things like drivers meetings. Despite the often low resolution offered in the 80's the quality and breadth of the material makes the documentary incredibly immersive, sometimes feeling like you are hurtling around the track along with Senna. This is a documentary that transcends the racing genre. Even people who don't even like cars will be able to amazing and tragic story.
If you need any more proof check this out, Honda pays tribute to Senna's record breaking lap at the Suzuka Circuit, only in light and sound.
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/07/honda-senna-tribute/
For the 1985 season, Senna joined Lotus-Renault. In the second race of the season, Ayrton took his first career pole and converted it first career win, in what was a very rainy Portugese GP. Senna would stay with the team for another two season, honing his skills before leaving for the more formidable McLaren team.
Much of the story is about Ayrton's rivalry with French driver Alain Prost. Prost, already a two time champion, was known as the "Professor" due to his calculating, methodical approach to racing, doing whatever it took to be ahead on points, a stark contrast to Senna's passionate style. Ayrton was not very comfortable with the politics of the sport, something Prost excelled at. Their rivalty truly evolved during the 1988 season, when Senna joined Prost at McLaren.
Senna and Prost put up a facade of friendliness, but both grasped what Ayrton's signing would mean for the team. McLaren dominated the rest of the field. Between the two, they took all but one pole and one victory the entire 1988 season. Their only real competition came from each other. The season would come down to the final race in Japan. Senna had the point lead going into the final race of season in Japan. If he won that race he would win his first championship. But Senna stalled at the start, falling to 14th, but then it started to rain. Ayrton would drive an amazing race and storm all the way back to snatch both the victory and the world championship from Prost.
The 1989 season saw the two drivers become more alienated and the politics of the sport come into play. Something Senna did not enjoy. Once again the season came down the race in Japan, only this time if Senna did not finish, Porst would take the championship. The race was neck and neck, then Prost and Senna came together. Prost race was over but Ayrton drove down a slip road and proceeded to win in spectacular fashion, a result Prost would contest. The president of the FIA at the time, Jean-Marie Balestre, was close with Prost and ruled in favor of the Frenchman, giving him the Championship and suspending Senna from the 1990 season. After, Prost would leave McLaren to drive for Ferrari.
For a third third year in a row the season hinged on the race in Japan. Senna won the pole , only to find that pole position had been moved off the racing line, to a part of the track with half the grip, a decision undoubtedly influenced by Balestre.
The film is a fantastic weave of archival F1 film inter-spliced with TV interviews and rare footage from things like drivers meetings. Despite the often low resolution offered in the 80's the quality and breadth of the material makes the documentary incredibly immersive, sometimes feeling like you are hurtling around the track along with Senna. This is a documentary that transcends the racing genre. Even people who don't even like cars will be able to amazing and tragic story.
If you need any more proof check this out, Honda pays tribute to Senna's record breaking lap at the Suzuka Circuit, only in light and sound.
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/07/honda-senna-tribute/
Rating: 9.1/10
