Formula 1 has seen many champions become superstars over the years. There is something about a racing car driver that people just go wild for. Perhaps it’s the danger involved that makes us look at F1 drivers with such awe and reverence? Perhaps it’s all the glitz and glamour that adorns the side lines that draws us to the sport like moths to a flame? Perhaps its because we can all drive, but we can’t all drive as fast as F1 racing drivers do, so we’re all a bit jealous. Jealousy does tend to breed obsession, and let’s face it, we’re all a bit obsessed.
When the F1 season comes around, we all flock to the best betting sites Canada has to offer, which you can find on this site, and we spend a fortune on sports racing bets. And when F1 season is over, and all the drama has played out, we flock to the movies to watch films about F1 to keep us going until next season. A good Formula 1-themed film can be just the tonic we need to get our F1 fix, and there are some excellent offerings in the world of entertainment.
It’s in the world of documentary film making that F1 truly shines. Yes, there have been notable movies based on both racing legends and fictional characters, but nothing quite beats a film that opens a window onto the real-life drama that unfolds on the track. F1 documentaries feature incredible footage from iconic races, interviews with drivers, owners, and members of the teams, and stories that are so unreal that they couldn’t be made up. Here’s our list of the documentaries that we think are the best of the best:
Life on the Limit
Produced by Michael Shevloff and Nigel Sinclair, directed by Paul Crowder, and narrated by Michael Fassbender, Life on the Limit is an eye-opening documentary that takes safety as its main concern. Life on the Limit tracks the journey of F1 through the lens of several high-profile F1 personalities. Interviews with the likes of Bernie Ecclestone, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, and Nigel Mansell shed light on the dangers associated with F1 and the safety measures that have been introduced over the years in the wake of tragic accidents. There’s plenty of incredible footage from the track that has never been seen before, which lends the documentary all the drama that race goers crave.
Williams
Williams tracks the story of one of the most famous teams in racing history. We learn the history of the Williams family through the eyes of the family’s matriarch, Virginia Williams. Racing fans will find the journey fascinating; beginning with Frank Williams and ending with Claire, Frank’s daughter and the current head honcho at Williams.
Senna
Ayrton Senna needs no introduction to F1 racing fans. Even if he was before your time, there is no doubt that you know his name, and that upon hearing it your hair stands on end. His tragic and untimely death sent a wave of fear throughout the racing world, and the repercussions of that fateful day can be felt on the track today. Senna focuses on the 10 years leading up to Senna’s death in Italy in 1994. The documentary reveals a man who was so much more than just another racing car driver, and we are left feeling, perhaps, more bereft than we did before. However, don’t let that stop you from watching this incredible film that truly celebrates an incredible life.
More to See
We’ve only highlighted the top 3 F1 documentaries, but there are plenty more to watch. Enjoy your off-season with these insightful and moving tributes to some of the best drivers that ever lived:
- McLaren
- Ferrari: Race to Immortality
- Crash and Burn
- Weekend of a Champion
- Heroes
- Schumacher
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