Coming later in 2024, Senna is a new Netflix series showcasing the life of the iconic racer. One of the best drivers to ever race in Formula 1, the show celebrates the great man's life while also telling the story of his struggles to get to the top.
From the story and cast to the release date, here’s everything you need to know about Senna on Netflix
Watch the teaser trailer for the new Senna Netflix series
Released just one day before the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna’s death, the Senna trailer shows him taking his first victory at his home Grand Prix. As every lap passes, key moments of his life are shown on his visor. These include family memories, his first karting days, and, of course, his rivalry with Prost.
The trailer perfectly sums up Senna’s life, a man who lived on the edge achieving his dreams no matter the cost. You can watch the first teaser trailer for Senna on Netflix below:
Release date speculation
Fans were given their first glimpse of Senna during Netflix’s 2024 Series and Film Preview show in February 2024. During the show, a small clip from the series was played. So, when can fans expect to be able to watch the full series?
At the time of writing, Netflix is yet to confirm an official release date for Senna. The trailer released at the end of April reveals that the show will premiere sometime in 2024 with no set release date.
It's possible that Senna will debut in November 2024 to coincide with the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos, but Netflix has not confirmed this. Held in Senna’s home city, Sao Paulo is also the location of one of Senna’s most famous wins.
Despite suffering from a faulty gearbox in the 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix, Senna managed to take victory at Interlagos for his first home victory in F1. Senna’s victory roar was broadcast all around the world before he had to be helped from the car due to exhaustion.
A man of legend
Ayrton Senna is undeniably one of the best to ever set foot in an F1 car. Winning three world championships, the Brazilian managed to compete against and beat the likes of Nigel Mansell, Nelson Piquet, and Alain Prost.
Senna was also dominant around the streets of Monaco. In his F1 career, he won on the streets of Monte Carlo six times, including five consecutive victories between 1989 and 1993. Senna still holds the record for the most wins at Monaco, a record that doesn’t appear to be getting broken anytime soon.
Despite Senna’s achievements, it was his rivalry with Prost that most remember. Beginning with their frayed relationship while teammates at McLaren, things really flared up during the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix.
With both gunning for the championship, a collision on lap 47 resulted in Prost winning the title after Senna was disqualified. In the following year’s race, Senna got his revenge, colliding with Prost on the very first corner, taking both out of the race. This handed Senna the championship in 1990.
Senna’s life was tragically cut short. A crash during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola resulted in his death at the age of 34. That weekend also saw the death of Roland Ratzenberger the day prior, plus a serious crash involving Rubens Barrichello.
It is without doubt that Senna would have achieved more success if not for his accident. A documentary, also titled Senna, was released in 2010, using archival footage to tell his life story. Now, 14 years later, a new Netflix series will tell his story once again.
Cast
Senna sees Gabriel Leone stepping into the racing boots of Ayrton Senna. The 30-year-old Brazilian actor and musician has already received recognition in the racing world for playing the part of former Ferrari driver Alfonso de Portago in 2023’s Ferrari starring Adam Driver.
Joining Leone is Alice Wegmann as Lilian, Senna’s first wife, Kaya Scodelario (Skins, The Gentleman) as a fictional journalist, and Camila Mardila as Viviane Senna, Ayton’s sister. The real Viviane has assisted in the production of the show.
Other noteworthy members of the cast include Patrick Kennedy (Downton Abbey, The Queen’s Gambit) as former McLaren CEO Ron Dennis, Steven MacKintosh (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Luther) as Williams founder Frank Williams, and Matt Mella as Alain Prost.
Will you be watching Senna when it lands later this year? Let us know in the comments below!
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