Senna: Netflix’s Formula One Legend Misses the Mark in Storytelling
The new Netflix drama series Senna , which brings the life of Brazilian Formula One icon Ayrton Senna to the small screen, is a mixed ride. The show, which explores Senna's journey from his early karting days in São Paulo to his tragic death at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994, was highly anticipated. After all, it's been over three decades since his fatal crash that captured the world’s attention, and this series had the opportunity to dive deeper into the man behind the legend. However, despite its thrilling race sequences and star-studded cast, the show largely fails to capture the complexity of Senna’s personality and the profound impact he had on his fans and fellow drivers.
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At its core, Senna aims to celebrate the driver’s extraordinary achievements, including his three Formula One World Championships and his fierce rivalries with competitors like Alain Prost. Brazilian actor Gabriel Leone portrays Senna, bringing charm and boyish enthusiasm to the role. However, the show reduces Senna to a flat, almost mythical figure, never fully exploring what drove him beyond his passion for racing. Although we see flashes of his determination and his belief in his destiny as a racing champion, the narrative doesn’t dig deep enough into his personal struggles or motivations.
The race scenes are undoubtedly exhilarating, with tight editing that captures the intensity of F1 racing and the thrilling speed of the cars. Fans of the sport will appreciate the realistic depictions of Senna’s legendary performances on the track. However, the emotional beats that should give life to the character fall short. Senna’s life off the track is barely touched upon; his Catholic faith, his philanthropic efforts, and his deep sense of national pride are barely explored. The relationships he had with women, including his brief marriage to Lílian de Vasconcellos Souza and his connection with famous TV host Xuxa Meneghel, are given little depth, turning them into mere plot points rather than meaningful interactions that shape his character.
Moreover, the show struggles with its portrayal of the other figures in Senna’s life. The supporting characters, particularly the British figures who appear as obstacles to Senna’s rise in the racing world, are reduced to caricatures. Their overly dramatic lines and exaggerated accents come across as cliché and detract from the story's emotional impact. Even the portrayal of his rivalry with Alain Prost, which in real life was one of the most intense in F1 history, seems underdeveloped.
While Senna succeeds in bringing the high-speed thrills of Formula One to life, it falters in offering a more rounded picture of the man who became an icon. The series is a tribute, but it leaves much to be desired in its exploration of the true complexity of Ayrton Senna. If you’re a fan of racing, you’ll likely appreciate the action-packed sequences, but if you’re hoping for a deeper look at Senna’s multifaceted life, this show might leave you wanting more.
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