Was Ayrton Senna’s family directly involved in creating Netflix's Senna series? Explained

Was Ayrton Senna’s family directly involved in creating Netflix
Still from Netflix's Senna series (Image via Netflix)

Netflix’s Senna series looks into the life of Brazilian Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, exploring his career, passion for racing, and tragic death in 1994. As Ayrton rises from the Brazilian streets to the Formula 1 podium, the six-episode drama explores his complex personality and legacy. This series marks Ayrton's legacy as a racer and a symbol of Brazilian pride and resilience.

Ayrton’s family played a key role in ensuring the essence of the legendary driver was authentically captured on screen. Gabriel Leone as Ayrton, portrayed the legend's humanity and passion throughout the series.

The creators ensured a deeper connection to Ayrton beyond the race track by consulting with his sister and nephew. As radiotimes.com stated on Saturday, November 30, 2024, Gabriel mentions:

"I did have contact with them, especially with his sister and nephew, the ones that take care of his institute. They were really supportive. They were really kind to me."

The series aired on Netflix on November 29, 2024. It tells the true story of Ayrton's rise to fame and pays tribute to his legacy with a compelling story.


Ayrton’s family was involved in creating this series, Senna

This Netflix series would not have been possible without the help of Ayrton's family, especially his sister Viviane and his nephew. Their help was crucial in making sure that Ayrton's personality was portrayed accurately.

Gabriel Leone, who plays Ayrton, mentioned that he talked to Senna's family while the movie was being filmed. They gave Leone important information about Senna's personality, like how kind he was and what his eyes depicted.

Leone spoke about how important it was to portray Senna’s competitive side and his genuine humanity, which was shaped by his upbringing and strong ties to Brazil. This involvement allowed the series to balance the public and private aspects of Ayrton's life, making it both emotionally resonant and authentic. He stated:

"I remember one of the things really stuck with me in one of our conversations, they were talking about Senna's eyes and essence and how kind he was. He was aggressive and passionate. But they were also telling me the other side of him, the human and man side of him."

Plot synopsis

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The series follows young Ayrton's motorsport career in Brazil before moving to England. The series chronicles his rise through the ranks of Formula 1, his fierce rivalries, and his groundbreaking performances with McLaren. Key moments, such as his famous battles with drivers like Alain Prost, are highlighted.

When Ayrton died in a crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, the story reached its peak. The series covers racing and Ayrton's emotional journey, sacrifices, and love for Brazil. After his tragic death, the series digs deeper into his influence on Formula 1, including his advocacy for driver safety.


How did Ayrton face his death?

Ayrton had a fatal crash on May 1, 1994, during the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola. While leading the race, his car crashed into a concrete wall at the high-speed Tamburello corner.

The crash occurred after Ayrton's steering column had broken, causing him to lose control. The impact of the crash was devastating, with the right front wheel striking his helmet, causing fatal skull fractures.

Even though he got medical help right away, including an emergency tracheotomy, Ayrton died soon after the accident from his injuries. The racing world was shocked by both his death and Roland Ratzenberger's earlier death in a crash over the weekend. It led to major changes in Formula One that focused on driver safety and the formation of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association again.

In Brazil and around the world, Ayrton is honored for his motorsport achievements and national pride. His death changed Formula 1 safety rules.

Ayrton united Brazil every Sunday, with millions watching him race, according to showrunner Vicente Amorim in his conversation with Netflix in October 2024.

“Every Sunday the country would come together to see this very special man do very special things. What really captured me, I think, was that he wasn’t just a good driver — he was somebody that cared about being Brazilian, that cared about being Latin American.”

To stream the Senna series, viewers can visit Netflix.

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Edited by Ameen Fatima
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