Formula won

With Senna, Netflix seems to have finally found its footing in sports programming

- NITIN S.J. ASARIPARAMBIL

Senna

Available on Netflix

Rating: 4/5

Ayrton Senna da Silva and his millions of fans were driven by emotion; the series based on him does not shy away from this. The story of Senna, three-time Formula 1 champion, is well known to followers of the sport-there are statistics enough to fill an almanac. Yet, when Senna finds himself in his Formula Ford car, the engine roars alongside 'Highway Star' by Deep Purple, completing an excellent sensory setting of the early 1980s for the viewers. The musical choices make for quite an experience-especially if you are watching with Dolby-enabled speakers-and pair well with the outstanding colour grading of each frame.

Netflix seems to have finally found its footing in sports programming, though it came through a creative portrayal of Senna and not with its documentary series or the live telecasts it recently forayed into. Gabriel Leone takes up the challenge of playing Senna, and almost perfectly captures the champion's grit, passion and charisma. Matt Mella as Alain Prost, his arch-rival, is also a treat to watch. It is evident that Vicente Amorim, the lead director and showrunner, is not only a fan of Senna, but also an ardent follower of the sport through its evolution over the past few decades.