The best driver who ever lived - SENNA

When I saw people raving about "Senna," it seemed a little odd to me, considering it was a 2010 documentary that, regardless of its quality, would likely be quite limited by the parameters of its format.

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However, for those who, like me, were passionate about the world of motorsports, it was quite easy to place it in the Olympus of racing cinema alongside gems like Ford V Ferrari or, my personal favorite, Rush.

After watching it for the first time, the reason is very obvious, as the documentary directed by Asif Kapadia, far from being "limited" by the format, ends up being a masterclass in the potential that real footage has when used correctly.

And while Senna's story has been portrayed in multiple series and documentaries (in fact, a solid Netflix biopic was released last summer), and the Brazilian driver needs no introduction, it's impossible not to be deeply moved by the way his professional career is portrayed in "Senna," edited with such impressive tact that at more than a few moments we forget we're watching a documentary, without resorting to the forced drama we're accustomed to from projects like Drive to Survive.

Still considered one of the greatest drivers of all time, the three-time Formula 1 world champion was largely responsible for the sport's current relevance. Far from delving into the politics and technical aspects of F1, Senna focuses on humanizing the legend behind the helmet: a human being with desires and fears, clinging to God at all times and with victory as his sole objective. I like "SENNA" because it has a minimalist approach, a grounded story, and doesn't see the need to overwhelm us with narration or interviews that disrupt the flow of the events being portrayed. It's a time machine to a historical moment where things were a little more chaotic, and the risk factor (which ultimately claimed his own life) was greater than ever.

From his rivalry with Alain Prost to his disagreement with many of the FIA's policies, SENNA is a documentary that addresses his legacy with respect, and without resorting to sensationalism, immerses us in his biography.

Although I feel this documentary is primarily made for sports fans, there's a universality in its narrative that will make it enjoyable for basically anyone. It's nostalgic, sad, but particularly optimistic.

This score was taken from my Letterboxd account.