SENNA: When Death Becomes the Closing Chapter of Fame [REVIEW]

The lives of athletes often seem somewhat one-dimensional as material for biographical films. Typically, they fight desperately for their dreams against a backdrop of disbelief from those around them. Then they rise to fame, reach the pinnacle of success, are consumed by their celebrity, fall, and sometimes even die—and that’s about it. There is a certain template to their cinematic portrayal, one that, unsurprisingly, the six-episode Netflix series Senna adheres to, with Gabriel Leone in the lead role. However, this formulaic approach isn’t a criticism here, as it’s a biography of an athlete, not a tale of an artifact-hunting spy. What Senna achieves skillfully is enriching the classic depiction of an athlete’s life with a profound exploration of his true existence, where sport plays a pivotal role.

The most compelling aspect of the series is the constant tension between Senna’s intense desire to win—which borders on a death wish—and his relationships with those around him. These people often remain too obscured for him to realize that his only chance of saving his life lies with them. They were never as attractive to him as the allure of the sport. Ultimately, Ayrton Senna failed to maintain this balance.

The series vividly and rhythmically illustrates Senna’s ascent to the top, alongside the gradual disintegration of his personal life as everything succumbed to his relentless ambition to win under any circumstances—be it in rain, fog, or hunger, fueled only by dreams. Is such a life realistic? The series suggests it is, but the price is steep. Through the lens of Senna’s competitors in the 1980s, the show demonstrates that most drivers couldn’t pay that price, as they were held back by a survival instinct that Senna seemed to lack. Yet, analyzing his fatal accident makes it evident that it wasn’t just ambition but a combination of physical and external factors beyond the driver’s control that led to the tragedy. Speculation about Senna’s involvement in modifications to the steering column that may have caused the crash persists, but fortunately, the Netflix series avoids delving deeply into such technical analyses. Instead, the creators cleverly open the narrative with a metaphorical reflection on the end of Senna’s life at the Imola circuit. This is epitomized by the moment Senna touches the uneven asphalt at the turn where his car, instead of veering left, went straight into a concrete wall the following day. This poignant scene foreshadows the tragedy to come.

This metaphor sets the tone for the series, which meticulously, albeit sometimes tediously, chronicles Senna’s arduous climb from Formula Ford to Formula 2000, Formula 3, and finally Formula 1. Once at the top, however, the pace slackens, and the narrative loses some of its grip. It may sound harsh, but I expected Senna to be wilder, more uncompromising, and his life less monotonous and more multifaceted, even on a personal level. Childhood flashbacks, challenging dynamics with a skeptical father, and expressions of love for his mother don’t quite suffice. Episodes three and four, in particular, feel somewhat disappointing, though hardcore motorsport fans—unlike myself—may remain captivated. The most engaging aspect remains the rivalry, but the tension is diminished, as even casual F1 viewers are likely familiar with Senna’s achievements and know he will triumph in the key races, with a few setbacks along the way. This predictability leaves little room for suspense, making the personal backdrop behind Senna’s victories or defeats essential. Unfortunately, his off-track life isn’t all that thrilling.

Still, despite this lack of sensationalism, Senna is worth watching. It doesn’t oversimplify or glorify Ayrton Senna into an exaggerated hero or a superhuman figure. This grounded portrayal, combined with the stunning aesthetics of F1 racing, archival footage, and Gabriel Leone’s excellent performance—complemented by Kaya Scodelario—makes the series a compelling watch.

Astute viewers will also notice reflections on family, love, and the politics of powerful nations towards South America, particularly Brazil, Senna’s homeland. Yet, death remains the central theme, framing Senna’s life as that of a driver—a champion who always sought to win. The series closes not with a detailed dissection of his fatal crash but with the imagery of a young Ayrton, learning to drive on a dirt road in Brazil under his father’s guidance. Gripping the steering wheel tightly, he couldn’t have imagined that this moment marked the beginning of a journey that would end behind the wheel, in front of a crowd cheering him on.