Netflix’s latest racing series is almost here, and its trailer dives into the rise and tragic demise of Formula One champion Ayrton Senna.
The gripping new limited series, which will start streaming on November 29, will chronicle the life and career of the late Brazilian driver. Aptly named Senna, the six-episode drama is set to follow Gabriel Leone (who also starred in Michael Mann’s Ferrari) as Senna, who started his career karting in São Paulo. In 1994, the 34-year-old sports legend died in a fatal crash on lap seven at the San Marina Grand Prix, one day after his teammate Roland Ratzenberger was killed in a separate driving incident that same weekend.
“Even before I got into a car, I already knew I was born to race,” Leone can be heard saying in a voiceover during the teaser. The official logline reads: “Over the course of six episodes, Senna will, for the first time, depict the journey of overcoming obstacles, ups and downs, joys, and sorrows of Ayrton, exploring his personality and personal relationships. The starting point will be the beginning of the three-time Formula 1 champion’s racing career when he moved to England to compete in Formula Ford, all the way to the tragic accident in Imola, Italy, during the San Marino Grand Prix.”
Over the course of 10 years, Senna managed to clinch three world championship titles, 41 races, and 65 pole positions. The iconic racing driver also had a notorious on and off-the-track rivalry with Frenchman Alain Prost, who will be played by Matt Mella (The Bureau). The two became teammates at McLaren in 1988 and together, won 25 of 32 races.
Vicente Amorim will direct the fictionalized biopic and serve as the showrunner. Julia Rezende is also set to direct. In addition to Leone and Mella, the drama will star The Gentleman’s Kaya Scodelario as reporter Laura Harrison and actors Marco Ricca and Susana Ribeiro will take on the role of Senna’s parents.
Piggybacking off the miniseries, Brazilian production company Gullane Entretenimento is also working on a feature-length documentary about the famed racing driver dubbed Senna Kart – Pure Competition, Variety reported in June. Senna previously got the documentary treatment back in 2010, produced by James Gay-Rees, the man who brought us Drive to Survive. Following its premiere, the project took home the Best Documentary Film prize at the 2012 BAFTA Awards.