FILM & TV
by Isabella Rocha posted on May 1, 2024
Netflix released the first trailer for the biopic Senna. 30 years ago, Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna passed away in a driving accident.
this is what i mean when i say senna transcended the sport…there were 3 million people there just to see him
pic.twitter.com/xMpdvK8dkL
— bia (@judesrivers) May 1, 2024
The Brazilian Formula 1 driver, Ayrton Senna, took over the tracks in 1984, and due to his outstanding abilities and charisma, he transcended the tracks and gained many fans worldwide. The world mourned his tragic death on May 1, 1994, when he was only 34 years old. Now, the Netflix limited series Senna comes to portray his legacy and to continue inspiring the upcoming generations.
Despite the biopic basing it on the driver’s life, it won’t be an exact depiction of his life, similar to other biopic projects like Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody. Additionally, the series will have six episodes, following Senna when he moves to England to pursue his driving career until his accident in Imola, Italy, during the San Marino Grand Prix.
When Michael Schumacher realised he had equalled Ayrton Senna for race wins in F1 pic.twitter.com/ERr8Lrgan6
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) May 1, 2024
On top of that, Gabriel Leone, who was part of the Emmy-winning telenovela Hidden Truths, will portray Ayrton Senna. Also, his two famous girlfriends, Xuxa and Adriane Galisteu, are embodied by Pâmela Tomé and Julia Foti, respectively. Furthermore, Matt Mella will take on the role as Senna’s rival, Alain Prost. Also, a part of the cast is the Brazilian-British actress known for her role as Effy in the series Skins, Kaya Scodelario.
lewis really did carry forward senna’s legacy like he said https://t.co/N4meiiXYLu
— sim (@sim3744) April 25, 2024
Since then, Senna’s career has inspired almost all the drivers who came after him, including Sebastian Vettel and the very vocal Lewis Hamilton. Accordingly, Senna was known for his riveting driving style but also for being a compassionate man who was an inspiration inside and outside the tracks. In interviews, he displayed his warm personality, but fans always got a spectacle inside the tracks with his aggressive driving strategies.
When Seb crossed Senna’s win tally in Singapore’15
The shimmer in his eyes and the humble disbelief in his words says it all really pic.twitter.com/gBgxaMRk5o
— V (@VizorIts) May 1, 2024
The driver had a long and successful career at McLaren. He won all three world titles, and six out of his ten years as a driver were with the team. On the same note, the current McLaren CEO, Zak Brown, posted a beautiful tribute to Senna on his X page and called him the greatest driver in history. McLaren has since named one of their car models over Senna, and in the Imola Grand Prix on May 17 to 19, Vettel will drive Senna’s retired McLaren as a homage.
30 years since we tragically lost Ayrton Senna. There will never be anybody like him again. One of a kind. He was one of the reasons why I fell in love with Formula 1. I join everyone at McLaren and the wider motorsport community in remembering one of the greatest drivers in… pic.twitter.com/hbxxJEghpX
— Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) May 1, 2024
Also, McLaren and other teams, including Mercedes and Williams, posted tributes to their pages. Besides, Williams Racing was Senna’s team when he suffered the fatal accident. In addition, the Las Vegas Sphere projected his helmet as a form of homage.
oh the senna helmet on the sphere so special pic.twitter.com/W3C5KkjMkt
— clara (fan acc) (@leclercsletters) May 1, 2024
After his passing, his family created the Instituto Ayrton Senna, led by his sister, Viviane Senna. According to the mission statement, the institute is focused on helping the human development of the Brazilian youth by creating opportunities for them.
Now, Formula 1 cars have an added structure for safety called a halo, which has protected many drivers from accidents similar to Senna’s. The series is releasing later this year, and you can watch the trailer below.
