It’s often the case that when people aren’t watching the sport they love, it’s a good chance they will be consuming content related to it. And the great news for fans of Formula 1 is that there are some excellent movies based on the sport, and many of them are not to be missed.
Drive To Survive
Drive to Survive is arguably the greatest Formula 1-inspired movie of all time. Available to view on Netflix, it takes the viewer inside the action and behind the scenes in a way that hasn’t been done before. Of course, if you watch and support Formula 1, you’re very much on the outside looking in. But, Drive To Survive gives a behind-the-curtain look at all the antics, drivers and teams. Formula 1 betting markets have always focused on punters being on the outside. But now you could say they’re on the inside and armed with more knowledge because of this move.
Senna
You can’t write a list of the greatest movies about Formula 1 and not include Senna, which can be watched across multiple platforms, including Amazon and YouTube. Ayrton Senna caught and continues to capture the imagination, even after his passing in 1994. It’s fair to say that everyone knows what happened to Senna in Imola, but this move gives viewers real insight into his life up until that point. And it also cements his place as a sporting legend, ensuring he will never be forgotten.
McLaren
Everyone, even if they’re not fans of Formula 1, will recognise the McLaren name. Well, in McLaren, the movie, viewers will learn the story of Bruce McLaren. The original film and dramatised footage combine in this widely available film, including anecdotes from those who knew him best. What is also telling is how he made it to the top of the sport. And even though McLaren have had a challenging couple of years, it’s the ethos he set that will ultimately see them rise again. It’s a Formula 1 rags-to-riches story at its very best.
Jochen Rindt: Uncrowned Champion
The only posthumous champion in Formula 1 is Jochen Rindt, the focus of the Sky Sports feature Jochen Rindt: Uncrowned Champion. He won the Formula 1 championship in 1970, but his career was cut short in tragic fashion. The documentary film showcases some fantastic footage from the sport from the 60s and 70s, with interviews also giving a fascinating insight into Rindt as a person. Back then, Formula 1 was glamorous and dangerous in equal measures, and you see it all play out dramatically here.
If it isn’t a racing weekend, but you want your Formula 1 fix, the four movies mentioned above are some of the best the sport has to offer. And what’s great about them is the insight they provide, with a behind-the-curtains look at how careers have panned out and how tragic and memorable events have unfolded on the track.
