I know that Rubython's motor racing-related works have met with a mixed reception from enthusiasts, and I share some of the misgivings commonly expressed. His biography of Ayrton Senna, entitled The Life Of Senna, originally published to roughly coincide with the tenth anniversary of the Brazilian's death, contains abundant detail, but also some flaws and "padding".
For me there is not sufficient nuance in the analysis of a very complex and intricate subject. Too much in the way of "black and white" thinking, and some careless and ill-advised choices of words to describe the merits of teams and drivers.
Another aspect of the book which stands out for me is the amount of repetition. In addition, there are inconsistencies, contradictions even, in appraisals of events or people. An occasional absence of cohesion and continuity which does not inspire confidence.
The above reservations notwithstanding, this book contains some interesting material concerning Senna's methods and motivations, and what made him unusual, although much of this is down to quotations from, and interviews with, associates and friends of the subject. One does get the sense of how Senna elevated his sport to another level in some respects.
I would say that the passages concerning the chronology of the Imola 1994 weekend itself are reasonably well done.and illuminating.
This book is good in places, not so good in others, and I suspect that the definitive English-language biography of Senna has yet to be written.
Showing posts with label ayrton senna. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ayrton senna. Show all posts
Tuesday, 8 January 2019
Wednesday, 19 December 2018
Ayrton Senna - The Hard Edge of Genius - Christopher Hilton
I recently decided to revisit some "old" books, starting with racing driver biographies, and first on my list was this work about Ayrton Senna, written by the late Christopher Hilton.
The Hard Edge Of Genius was written in the early 1990s, and the edition which I have takes the story up to the point where Senna had just clinched his second world championship title.
There have been many books about Senna, but to me this one still stands up as one of the best. It is notable for its relative brevity, its breezy tone and style, and its genuine efforts to explain and understand a man who was already regarded as something of a phenomenon.
An intriguing dimension of going back to this biography was to acquire a snapshot of how Senna was perceived when he was arguably approaching the apogee of his career. The story was not yet complete of course, but the notion of the "flawed genius" was already largely in place. The Brazilian did seem to mellow in later years, but when this book was written that stage of his development could not be clearly foreseen. Indeed, there are some fascinating predictions as to how the Senna tale might develop or end.
Like other authors who have tackled this subject, Hilton makes a creditable attempt to grasp the essence of what made Senna tick, and like others he was confronted with a complex, somewhat elusive set of conclusions. Some of the factors which made Senna special were what made people hostile towards him circa 1990, although I think that later on people appreciated him more, partly because he was sometimes cast as the underdog (in 1992 and 1993 for example), and this helped to fill out and consolidate the mystique which existed even before Imola 1994.
Good use is made of quotations and observations from people who knew and worked with Senna. This is important, because the author is able to make some credible assertions about the Senna approach and persona based on actual events which occurred long before he even reached the glittering heights of Grand Prix racing.
Going through this work again I was reminded most of all what a remarkable, unusual and multi-faceted person Senna was. These characteristics are what make him and his story much more compelling than those individuals with merely statistical claims to greatness.
This biography stands as a very worthy effort to analyse Senna and the "Senna effect". Hilton himself, and others, wrote books later which encompassed the whole story, including his tragic demise, but this remains a praiseworthy effort in its own right.
The Hard Edge Of Genius was written in the early 1990s, and the edition which I have takes the story up to the point where Senna had just clinched his second world championship title.
There have been many books about Senna, but to me this one still stands up as one of the best. It is notable for its relative brevity, its breezy tone and style, and its genuine efforts to explain and understand a man who was already regarded as something of a phenomenon.
An intriguing dimension of going back to this biography was to acquire a snapshot of how Senna was perceived when he was arguably approaching the apogee of his career. The story was not yet complete of course, but the notion of the "flawed genius" was already largely in place. The Brazilian did seem to mellow in later years, but when this book was written that stage of his development could not be clearly foreseen. Indeed, there are some fascinating predictions as to how the Senna tale might develop or end.
Like other authors who have tackled this subject, Hilton makes a creditable attempt to grasp the essence of what made Senna tick, and like others he was confronted with a complex, somewhat elusive set of conclusions. Some of the factors which made Senna special were what made people hostile towards him circa 1990, although I think that later on people appreciated him more, partly because he was sometimes cast as the underdog (in 1992 and 1993 for example), and this helped to fill out and consolidate the mystique which existed even before Imola 1994.
Good use is made of quotations and observations from people who knew and worked with Senna. This is important, because the author is able to make some credible assertions about the Senna approach and persona based on actual events which occurred long before he even reached the glittering heights of Grand Prix racing.
Going through this work again I was reminded most of all what a remarkable, unusual and multi-faceted person Senna was. These characteristics are what make him and his story much more compelling than those individuals with merely statistical claims to greatness.
This biography stands as a very worthy effort to analyse Senna and the "Senna effect". Hilton himself, and others, wrote books later which encompassed the whole story, including his tragic demise, but this remains a praiseworthy effort in its own right.
Thursday, 22 December 2016
Racers Apart - David Tremayne
Continuing my journey through some half-forgotten items in my motorsport-related library, I recently re-read Racers Apart, by David Tremayne, a little gem of a book which was first published back in 1991.
Essentially, Racers Apart is a series of portraits of, or articles about, selected motorsport figures. The author includes some figures from the world of land and water speed records, an area of special interest for him. As well as Tremayne's own thoughts, there are observations by colleagues and friends of the subjects.
The choice of people portrayed might seem almost random, but in fact it is just diverse, and the competitors examined are chosen mostly for their human qualities or their influence on the direction of the sport. Some of those featured are personal favourites of the author, such as Pedro Rodriguez, Tom Pryce,Roger Williamson and Gilles Villeneuve. This latter factor I feel induces a greater conviction, passion and authority in the writing.
It is by and large quite balanced and honest stuff, not ignoring the negatives and the frailties. The interviews with subjects are quite penetrating, managing to extract some candid recollections and analysis. These are not bland portraits.
One thing which also stood out for me during this recent reading was the author's vehemence in lamenting some aspects of modern motor sport. It is sobering to think how, even twenty five years ago, contemporary journalists perceived the sport to be so shallow and soulless at the top level. The book's general tenor is to celebrate those who, in their approach and temperament, bucked those ever-encroaching trends.
Overall, this book seems to come more from the enthusiast than the scholar, and in places seems genuinely heartfelt. Like with much of the best motor sport writing, the human dimension transcends the nuts and bolts and the technology. Those who left a scant impression in the record books are placed alongside the legends and superstars - David Purley sits very comfortably in company with Ayrton Senna and Jackie Stewart.
Essentially, Racers Apart is a series of portraits of, or articles about, selected motorsport figures. The author includes some figures from the world of land and water speed records, an area of special interest for him. As well as Tremayne's own thoughts, there are observations by colleagues and friends of the subjects.
The choice of people portrayed might seem almost random, but in fact it is just diverse, and the competitors examined are chosen mostly for their human qualities or their influence on the direction of the sport. Some of those featured are personal favourites of the author, such as Pedro Rodriguez, Tom Pryce,Roger Williamson and Gilles Villeneuve. This latter factor I feel induces a greater conviction, passion and authority in the writing.
It is by and large quite balanced and honest stuff, not ignoring the negatives and the frailties. The interviews with subjects are quite penetrating, managing to extract some candid recollections and analysis. These are not bland portraits.
One thing which also stood out for me during this recent reading was the author's vehemence in lamenting some aspects of modern motor sport. It is sobering to think how, even twenty five years ago, contemporary journalists perceived the sport to be so shallow and soulless at the top level. The book's general tenor is to celebrate those who, in their approach and temperament, bucked those ever-encroaching trends.
Overall, this book seems to come more from the enthusiast than the scholar, and in places seems genuinely heartfelt. Like with much of the best motor sport writing, the human dimension transcends the nuts and bolts and the technology. Those who left a scant impression in the record books are placed alongside the legends and superstars - David Purley sits very comfortably in company with Ayrton Senna and Jackie Stewart.
Thursday, 1 May 2014
Ayrton Senna
In the summer of 1983, I was slowly becoming obsessed with Formula 1 racing, having had my imagination well and truly captured by the exploits of Gilles Villeneuve a couple of years before. I vividly recall reading the various motor sport magazines around that time, and learning about a remarkable young Brazilian, who in those days raced under the name Ayrton Senna da Silva. Soon enough this precocious talent found his way to Grand Prix racing, and we now found ourselves commemorating the twentieth anniversary of his tragic accident at Imola.
Only yesterday I was speaking with a female friend, who told me that she had no great interest in Formula 1 as such, but had been utterly captivated by Senna's charisma, and remains so to this day. Untold millions around the globe were affected in a similar way. Senna possessed that intangible magic which transcended his own field of endeavour, an accolade which goes to the very few. It can be persuasively argued that he played a massive role in transforming F1 into the slick multinational media spectacle that we see today. He broadened the appeal of the sport.
Not unnaturally, Senna's tenure with the McLaren team tends to be highlighted, but I find his period with Lotus, from 1985 to 1987, equally compelling. The legendary outfit was in a slow decline, but Senna's mixture of raw ability, work ethic and competitive spirit kept them in the hunt. His tally of pole positions from those seasons, even when up against McLaren, Williams, Ferrari et al, speaks for itself. Senna was competitive almost everywhere, at least in '85 and '86, and his fearsome commitment and dedication were already clearly evident. Both in and out of the car, he took the "science" and "art" of Grand Prix racing to a new level, even above that practised by such modern greats as Stewart, Lauda and Prost, who had been cited as innovators and modernisers.
In common with most of the truly great drivers, Senna had what almost amounted to a "sixth sense", by way of his mechanical sensitivity. The most startling example of this which I have personally seen was captured in a British television documentary covering the 1993 season. At one race, Senna returned to the pits, unhappy with the performance of his car, and insisted that there was a minor problem with the engine, this seemingly having not been highlighted by telemetry and so forth. After much debate, the engine was dismantled, and sure enough a small but significant fault was discovered....
Only yesterday I was speaking with a female friend, who told me that she had no great interest in Formula 1 as such, but had been utterly captivated by Senna's charisma, and remains so to this day. Untold millions around the globe were affected in a similar way. Senna possessed that intangible magic which transcended his own field of endeavour, an accolade which goes to the very few. It can be persuasively argued that he played a massive role in transforming F1 into the slick multinational media spectacle that we see today. He broadened the appeal of the sport.
Not unnaturally, Senna's tenure with the McLaren team tends to be highlighted, but I find his period with Lotus, from 1985 to 1987, equally compelling. The legendary outfit was in a slow decline, but Senna's mixture of raw ability, work ethic and competitive spirit kept them in the hunt. His tally of pole positions from those seasons, even when up against McLaren, Williams, Ferrari et al, speaks for itself. Senna was competitive almost everywhere, at least in '85 and '86, and his fearsome commitment and dedication were already clearly evident. Both in and out of the car, he took the "science" and "art" of Grand Prix racing to a new level, even above that practised by such modern greats as Stewart, Lauda and Prost, who had been cited as innovators and modernisers.
In common with most of the truly great drivers, Senna had what almost amounted to a "sixth sense", by way of his mechanical sensitivity. The most startling example of this which I have personally seen was captured in a British television documentary covering the 1993 season. At one race, Senna returned to the pits, unhappy with the performance of his car, and insisted that there was a minor problem with the engine, this seemingly having not been highlighted by telemetry and so forth. After much debate, the engine was dismantled, and sure enough a small but significant fault was discovered....
Friday, 4 May 2012
Senna versus Prost - Malcolm Folley
I recently purchased the Kindle version of Malcolm Folley's book Senna versus Prost.
My appreciation of this book blossomed as my reading of it progressed. Following the first few chapters, I found myself lamenting that it offered little in the way of new information, and the format itself seemed clumsy and confusing. However, as I worked my way through it, it began to make a lot more sense.
The stated remit of this publication, to chronicle the legendary rivalry between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, is not always adhered to slavishly, and it often feels more like a re-telling of Formula 1 history in the approximate period 1980-1994. The text sometimes dwells on issues with only a tenuous or indirect link to the Senna versus Prost dynamic. To be fair, these tangents often make for enlightening and entertaining reading!
The problem faced by any author seeking to tell the tale of "Senna versus Prost" is that there is very little genuinely new to say, the story having been analysed and committed to paper ad nauseam. However, Folley does a creditable job, taking the trouble to undertake new interviews with many of the key figures, including Prost himself, and also drivers and team personnel who were closely connected to the two men. The input of these individuals, particularly their colourful and amusing "behind the scenes" anecdotes, forms the backbone of the book for me.
Whether or not this book merely retraces old ground will depend to some extent on the vintage of the reader, and also which books and articles they have accessed over the years. The genuinely new information can be extracted with care.
To his credit, I thought that Folley did a fine job of conveying a sense of how the atmosphere between the two drivers, within the McLaren team, and in the sport generally, gradually became more poisonous, particularly in the period 1989-1993. It also brought back to me vividly the bitter taste which I felt in my mouth around the time of Suzuka '89. The egos and back-biting are certainly laid bare here., and some of the memories are unedifying, but compelling nonetheless. It all makes some of the controversies of more recent times seem tame by comparison.
Surprises? Well, I thought that the 1990 season overall was given scant coverage, and the actual race in Japan in 1989 was not described as intensively as I expected, though in fairness the off-track aftermath is done justice.
So how do the two drivers emerge from it all? Prost appeared principled but perhaps naive, realising too late that in the shape of Senna he was dealing with somebody on a different plane, talent and personality wise, to what he had previously been confronted with. One could also argue that he was embroiled in just as many, if not more, intrigues as Senna, and with more different team-mates....
The genius and prodigious talent and intensity of Senna are amply outlined, but his flaws are not overlooked, the author largely leaving the words of the Brazilian's contemporaries and rivals to tell the tale.
To hardcore enthusiasts and historians, the treatement of some aspects of this tale might seem overly simplistic and "populist", but for the uninitiated or the casual reader, it will be be different. This is arguably a cut above your average, run-of-the-mill, Formula 1 pot-boiler. The book benefits from the passage of time, as this allows a more detached and nuanced assessment, and some key protagonists are willing and able to be more forthcoming, candid and frank with their opinions. Jo Ramirez, Damon Hill, Martin Brundle and Derek Warwick and others offer cutting opinions and verdicts.
All in all, a good read, but it may well be that the definitive book on the Senna/Prost era has yet to be written....
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Rubens Barrichello
With the news, as expected, that Bruno Senna will fill the one vacant seat at Williams for the 2012 season, another Brazilian driver is contemplating what looks like the end of the one of the most distinguished and eventful of all Formula 1 careers. With characteristic good grace and class, Rubens Barrichello wished his successor good luck, but where does he himself go from here?
I first came across the name Rubens Barrichello in 1990, when my interest in motorsport was at its height, and I avidly devoured news of the goings-on in the junior formulae. In winning the intensely competitive GM Lotus Euroseries, the novice exhibited not just a fine turn of speed, but also some of the subtler qualities which separate the potential World Champion from the mass of raw and eager youngsters.
There was more of the same in British Formula 3 the following year, as Rubens engaged in a lively tussle for the title with David Coulthard, eventually emerging triumphant. I seem to recall that he occasionally had some difficulty getting off the starting line, and this made for some entertaining racing, something not always prevalent in Formula 3!
Rubens continued his motor racing education in Formula 3000 in 1992. He did not meet with the instant success enjoyed in the previous categories, and there must have been the fear, seemingly endemic amongst young drivers, of an imminent career plateau. However, any worries proved unfounded, as he was signed up by the Jordan F1 team for 1993.
As soon as he entered the highest echelon of the sport, Rubens showed that he belonged there, with his maturity and natural talent. The 1994 season brought conflicting emotions, with points on the board, but also the trauma of a serious crash in practice at Imola, and the death of Ayrton Senna.
The capricious form of the Jordan team dictated that the following two campaigns did not improve markedly on what had gone before, and Rubens must have been delighted with the chance to drive for the new, but well equipped, Stewart team for 1997. His second place at Monaco was memorable, prompting emotional scenes, including tears from Jackie Stewart himself.
By now, Rubens was regarded within the F1 fraternity as a fast, reliable and technically adept performer, as well as a consummate team-player. It must have been somewhat galling, therefore,that when the Stewart outfit notched up its first victory, at the Nurburgring in 1999, it was team new-boy Johnny Herbert to whom the cards fell, although the Brazilian hid any disappointment with his usual good humour and grace.
Now came the call from Ferrari, and although he was playing second-fiddle to the great Michael Schumacher, at least Rubens had the theoretical possibility to be a contender for race-wins and podiums at every Grand Prix. His outpouring of emotion and joy on the podium at Hockenheim after his first F1 victory was both moving and engaging, and everyone in the sport was genuinely delighted that he had achieved that richly deserved milestone.
The rest of Barrichello's tenure at Maranello brought more Grand Prix wins, but also controversy and debate concerning his precise role within the team, and his relationship with Schumacher. Whatever reservations Rubens may have harboured, he got on with his job professionally and assiduously, reinforcing his reputation as a steadfast and conscientious customer, as well as a "good bloke".
After the dizzy heights and tumult of the Ferrari years, the rest of Ruben's career was perhaps destined to be an anti-climax, but a renaissance of sorts occurred in 2009, with the almost fairytale exploits of the Brawn equipe.
The time with Williams has been frustrating, but Rubens usually managed to maintain his dignity and optimism.
His strenuous efforts to remain in F1 at the end of 2011 indicated that his motivation and desire remained intact, but can he adapt those competitive juices to other, less exalted, forms of motorsport? The DTM, Indycars and endurance racing all remain theoretical possibilities.
If this is indeed the end of Rubens Barrichello in F1, it will feel strange without him. Many fans will not have seen a race without him competing. In many respects he has set a benchmark for how drivers conduct themselves, overcome adversity and maintain motivation and focus.
Whatever the future holds for Rubens, the best of luck to him.
I first came across the name Rubens Barrichello in 1990, when my interest in motorsport was at its height, and I avidly devoured news of the goings-on in the junior formulae. In winning the intensely competitive GM Lotus Euroseries, the novice exhibited not just a fine turn of speed, but also some of the subtler qualities which separate the potential World Champion from the mass of raw and eager youngsters.
There was more of the same in British Formula 3 the following year, as Rubens engaged in a lively tussle for the title with David Coulthard, eventually emerging triumphant. I seem to recall that he occasionally had some difficulty getting off the starting line, and this made for some entertaining racing, something not always prevalent in Formula 3!
Rubens continued his motor racing education in Formula 3000 in 1992. He did not meet with the instant success enjoyed in the previous categories, and there must have been the fear, seemingly endemic amongst young drivers, of an imminent career plateau. However, any worries proved unfounded, as he was signed up by the Jordan F1 team for 1993.
As soon as he entered the highest echelon of the sport, Rubens showed that he belonged there, with his maturity and natural talent. The 1994 season brought conflicting emotions, with points on the board, but also the trauma of a serious crash in practice at Imola, and the death of Ayrton Senna.
The capricious form of the Jordan team dictated that the following two campaigns did not improve markedly on what had gone before, and Rubens must have been delighted with the chance to drive for the new, but well equipped, Stewart team for 1997. His second place at Monaco was memorable, prompting emotional scenes, including tears from Jackie Stewart himself.
By now, Rubens was regarded within the F1 fraternity as a fast, reliable and technically adept performer, as well as a consummate team-player. It must have been somewhat galling, therefore,that when the Stewart outfit notched up its first victory, at the Nurburgring in 1999, it was team new-boy Johnny Herbert to whom the cards fell, although the Brazilian hid any disappointment with his usual good humour and grace.
Now came the call from Ferrari, and although he was playing second-fiddle to the great Michael Schumacher, at least Rubens had the theoretical possibility to be a contender for race-wins and podiums at every Grand Prix. His outpouring of emotion and joy on the podium at Hockenheim after his first F1 victory was both moving and engaging, and everyone in the sport was genuinely delighted that he had achieved that richly deserved milestone.
The rest of Barrichello's tenure at Maranello brought more Grand Prix wins, but also controversy and debate concerning his precise role within the team, and his relationship with Schumacher. Whatever reservations Rubens may have harboured, he got on with his job professionally and assiduously, reinforcing his reputation as a steadfast and conscientious customer, as well as a "good bloke".
After the dizzy heights and tumult of the Ferrari years, the rest of Ruben's career was perhaps destined to be an anti-climax, but a renaissance of sorts occurred in 2009, with the almost fairytale exploits of the Brawn equipe.
The time with Williams has been frustrating, but Rubens usually managed to maintain his dignity and optimism.
His strenuous efforts to remain in F1 at the end of 2011 indicated that his motivation and desire remained intact, but can he adapt those competitive juices to other, less exalted, forms of motorsport? The DTM, Indycars and endurance racing all remain theoretical possibilities.
If this is indeed the end of Rubens Barrichello in F1, it will feel strange without him. Many fans will not have seen a race without him competing. In many respects he has set a benchmark for how drivers conduct themselves, overcome adversity and maintain motivation and focus.
Whatever the future holds for Rubens, the best of luck to him.
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Peter Gethin
The sad news was announced today of the death of Peter Gethin, Formula 1 driver of the early 1970s, at the age of 71.
Peter was of course best known for his victory in the extraordinary 1971 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, possibly the most exhilarating race in F1 history. He led home a howling pack of cars driven by Ronnie Peterson and Francois Cevert, amongst others, in what was for many years thereafter the fastest race in the history of the World Championship.
As he crossed the finishing line that day at Monza, mere feet ahead of the pack, Peter had the presence of mind to raise his arm in triumph, just in case there was any doubt about the result in those days prior to the advent of full electronic timing!
The rest of his F1 career could not hope to match the giddy heights of Monza, but he did win a couple of non-championship events, including memorably beating the F1 stars in his F5000 Chevron in the 1973 Race of Champions.
In addition to his F1 exploits, Peter had success in F5000 in both Europe and the Antipodes, as well as in Can-Am racing.
Following his retirement from driving, he remained involved in the sport, becoming involved in team management, including with the Toleman Formula 1 team in 1984. This meant that he had to deal with a certain Ayrton Senna da Silva. A contractual dispute meant that the Brazilian was prevented from competing at Monza that year, and there is some famous footage of Peter and Ayrton debating matters in the paddock.
Condolences go to Peter's family and friends.
Peter was of course best known for his victory in the extraordinary 1971 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, possibly the most exhilarating race in F1 history. He led home a howling pack of cars driven by Ronnie Peterson and Francois Cevert, amongst others, in what was for many years thereafter the fastest race in the history of the World Championship.
As he crossed the finishing line that day at Monza, mere feet ahead of the pack, Peter had the presence of mind to raise his arm in triumph, just in case there was any doubt about the result in those days prior to the advent of full electronic timing!
The rest of his F1 career could not hope to match the giddy heights of Monza, but he did win a couple of non-championship events, including memorably beating the F1 stars in his F5000 Chevron in the 1973 Race of Champions.
In addition to his F1 exploits, Peter had success in F5000 in both Europe and the Antipodes, as well as in Can-Am racing.
Following his retirement from driving, he remained involved in the sport, becoming involved in team management, including with the Toleman Formula 1 team in 1984. This meant that he had to deal with a certain Ayrton Senna da Silva. A contractual dispute meant that the Brazilian was prevented from competing at Monza that year, and there is some famous footage of Peter and Ayrton debating matters in the paddock.
Condolences go to Peter's family and friends.
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Senna - DVD review
For various reasons, and much to my chagrin, I did not get around to seeing Senna at the time of its release in the cinemas. However this documentary film has now been released on DVD, and these are my thoughts.
I approached the viewing with mild trepidation, having heard and read the praise lavished on the movie since it came out, and worried whether the reality would live up to the hype. Also, I had seen several other Senna-related documentaries over the years, and wondered if this one would just re-hash and repackage the material from previous efforts.
My concerns, I am happy to report, were largely misplaced. I found Senna to be a beautifully produced film, meticulously researched and well-balanced.
I would not describe it as a definitive documentary about Senna's racing career. Little effort is made to examine the technical aspects of racing, and some portions of Ayrton's exploits are afforded scant coverage. Rather, it is primarily a human story, possibly aimed at the layman or casual fan rather than the racing "anorak". Having said that, there is plenty here for any Formula 1 enthusiast to relish.
Particularly impressive is the amount of rare archive material which has been uncovered for this film. It was not just a case of showing the same old familiar footage. Some of the material from the Brazilian media was particularly revealing.
Thankfully, the producers resisted the temptation to employ "talking heads", in the form of journalists and racing people, to tell much of the story. Any such analysis, supplied by a select few observers, was in audio form only, accompanied by pictures, and was used largely to add context to the narrative. These contributions, together with the striking footage, and the words of Senna himself, served to drive things forward admirably.
Instead of being a dry, chronological account of Senna's achievements in the sport, the film concentrates on several of the pivotal periods and races in his time in F1. From Monaco in 1988, which many regard as a watershed, because of his otherworldly qualifying performance and unforced error whilst leading the race, to the Japanese Grand Prix of the same year, when he clinched his first title, and other episodes.
Naturally, a sizeable proportion of the movie is taken up by the tumultuous years of the Senna/Prost rivalry, from the relatively cordial, but still tense, days of 1988, to the outright animosity of 1989/90. Although Senna's side of the story is told, the film is quite even-handed and non-partisan.
Perhaps the passing of time has enabled some observers to be more dispassionate and candid about the events of that era, and this seems to emerge in the film. The sourcing of commentaries from various countries (UK, Brazil, USA etc) also helps to instill a sense of balance.
Some of the most illuminating passages of the film are the clips from drivers' briefings, and Senna's interactions with his fellow drivers and officialdom. The tension evident in those meetings is palpable, particularly in Japan in 1990. Senna's increasing concern about safety matters is also clear, from 1990 onwards.
I would not go so far as to say that this is a "warts and all" documentary, but neither is it a deferential whitewash. For example, the infamous interview with Jackie Stewart is given an airing, as are the criticisms by the likes of Alain Prost.
The sections dealing with racing are interspersed with home and family footage, and some effort is made to assess Senna's social impact in his home country. I think the film-makers pitched this side of things just about right.
In addressing the traumatic events of Imola in 1994, the film does not try to be wise after the event, and allows the pictures and words to tell the sad story. The aftermath of Imola is dealt with beautifully;moving but not maudlin.
As mentioned before, the film does not attempt to be an exhaustive chronicle, but I was surprised that scant mention was made of Senna's relationship with Gerhard Berger, and that Ayrton's exploits in the junior formulae, and especially his Formula 3 rivalry with Martin Brundle, were largely ignored. Admittedly, these are minor complaints, in view of the time constraints.
One very nice touch was seen at the end of the film, when the story came full circle, and we returned to Senna's karting days, before politics, money and pressure held sway.
For me, Senna was definitely worth the wait. An endearing and compelling portrait of a complex man and his remarkable, if tragically short, life.
I approached the viewing with mild trepidation, having heard and read the praise lavished on the movie since it came out, and worried whether the reality would live up to the hype. Also, I had seen several other Senna-related documentaries over the years, and wondered if this one would just re-hash and repackage the material from previous efforts.
My concerns, I am happy to report, were largely misplaced. I found Senna to be a beautifully produced film, meticulously researched and well-balanced.
I would not describe it as a definitive documentary about Senna's racing career. Little effort is made to examine the technical aspects of racing, and some portions of Ayrton's exploits are afforded scant coverage. Rather, it is primarily a human story, possibly aimed at the layman or casual fan rather than the racing "anorak". Having said that, there is plenty here for any Formula 1 enthusiast to relish.
Particularly impressive is the amount of rare archive material which has been uncovered for this film. It was not just a case of showing the same old familiar footage. Some of the material from the Brazilian media was particularly revealing.
Thankfully, the producers resisted the temptation to employ "talking heads", in the form of journalists and racing people, to tell much of the story. Any such analysis, supplied by a select few observers, was in audio form only, accompanied by pictures, and was used largely to add context to the narrative. These contributions, together with the striking footage, and the words of Senna himself, served to drive things forward admirably.
Instead of being a dry, chronological account of Senna's achievements in the sport, the film concentrates on several of the pivotal periods and races in his time in F1. From Monaco in 1988, which many regard as a watershed, because of his otherworldly qualifying performance and unforced error whilst leading the race, to the Japanese Grand Prix of the same year, when he clinched his first title, and other episodes.
Naturally, a sizeable proportion of the movie is taken up by the tumultuous years of the Senna/Prost rivalry, from the relatively cordial, but still tense, days of 1988, to the outright animosity of 1989/90. Although Senna's side of the story is told, the film is quite even-handed and non-partisan.
Perhaps the passing of time has enabled some observers to be more dispassionate and candid about the events of that era, and this seems to emerge in the film. The sourcing of commentaries from various countries (UK, Brazil, USA etc) also helps to instill a sense of balance.
Some of the most illuminating passages of the film are the clips from drivers' briefings, and Senna's interactions with his fellow drivers and officialdom. The tension evident in those meetings is palpable, particularly in Japan in 1990. Senna's increasing concern about safety matters is also clear, from 1990 onwards.
I would not go so far as to say that this is a "warts and all" documentary, but neither is it a deferential whitewash. For example, the infamous interview with Jackie Stewart is given an airing, as are the criticisms by the likes of Alain Prost.
The sections dealing with racing are interspersed with home and family footage, and some effort is made to assess Senna's social impact in his home country. I think the film-makers pitched this side of things just about right.
In addressing the traumatic events of Imola in 1994, the film does not try to be wise after the event, and allows the pictures and words to tell the sad story. The aftermath of Imola is dealt with beautifully;moving but not maudlin.
As mentioned before, the film does not attempt to be an exhaustive chronicle, but I was surprised that scant mention was made of Senna's relationship with Gerhard Berger, and that Ayrton's exploits in the junior formulae, and especially his Formula 3 rivalry with Martin Brundle, were largely ignored. Admittedly, these are minor complaints, in view of the time constraints.
One very nice touch was seen at the end of the film, when the story came full circle, and we returned to Senna's karting days, before politics, money and pressure held sway.
For me, Senna was definitely worth the wait. An endearing and compelling portrait of a complex man and his remarkable, if tragically short, life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)