Senna (2010) – 8/10 Formula 1 documentary movie review

Cast / crew Director: Asif Kapadia

Senna (2010) Documentary. Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna had a single-minded attitude toward racing fueled by belief in God, belief in himself and belief that he was being persecuted by ‘the establishment’ for being too good. 8/10 A peek behind the curtain of Formula One and it’s most mythical hero, Ayrton Senna, this is a must-watch for any F1 fan. It’s interesting and illuminating and features a whole stack of terrific footage we haven’t seen before including some amazing footage of the movie’s villain FISA president Jean-Marie "my decision is best decision" Balestre, wonderful on-board driving action, a great Jackie Stewart interview and in-car radio (especially from Senna’s Brazilian Grand Prix victory). Just from his racing Senna always came across as destructively single-minded (nothing was ever his fault) and this documentary reinforces that and adds the personal, though not entirely unfounded, paranoia and belief system that fueled that despite him being the most lauded and feted driver in the world. There’s less race footage than you might expect but there is still more than enough to satisfy, especially as so much of it is wonderful onboard of Senna in his office doing what Senna did best: drive every car on the knife-edge of control all lap, every lap. This movie contains several sexual swear words and undetailed but unpleasant scenes of real death and injury. Classified 12A by BBFC. Persons under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

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