Senna, Drive to Survive & Rush: The Best F1 Documentaries, Movies & Docuseries Currently

Formula 1 is one of the most popular sports in the world. Millions of people tune in to watch the races every year.

Indeed, there will be great anticipation about the upcoming season following all of the drama in the 2021 season finale last year when Max Verstappen was awarded the Championship in controversial circumstances that saw Lewis Hamilton’s reign and dominance of motorsport come to an end.

There will be many who will be looking forward to seeing the cars get back on the grid at the Bahrain Grand Prix, which is scheduled to take place on March 20, 2022. The rise of sports betting in the U.S. could be huge, as many will be able to use a Virginia sportsbook to place wagers on the events and races that happen throughout the season and it would not be a surprise if there were a number of wagers placed on the first race of the 2022-23 campaign.

Before then, and with a couple of weeks to go until the first race, there might be some who may be unable to wait for the high-octane action to take place. Thankfully, there are a number of incredible films, documentaries, and docuseries available that will allow enthusiasts to satisfy their cravings for the time being.

For those interested, here are some of the best Formula 1 films and documentaries to watch in 2022:

1. Senna (2011)

Senna is a 2011 documentary film about the life of Brazilian Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna, who was killed at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. The film was directed by Asif Kapadia and produced by James Gay-Rees. It was released in the United Kingdom on 8 April 2011.

The documentary is not an authorized biography of Senna; it instead uses archive footage to explore the racing driver’s life and career. Kapadia and Gay-Rees had access to over 300 hours of previously unreleased footage from Senna’s family, team, and friends.

Upon its release, Senna received widespread acclaim from critics and at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, the film won the award for Best Documentary. It also won the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Senna has been credited with helping to increase the popularity of Formula One in Brazil; due to the film, annual ticket sales for the Brazilian Grand Prix increased by over 50%.

2. Rush (2013)

This is another great Formula 1 film, and it tells the story of James Hunt and Niki Lauda’s rivalry during the 1970s. It’s a fascinating look at two of the greatest drivers in history, and it’s definitely worth watching if you’re interested in Formula 1.

The rivalry between Hunt and Lauda is one of the most famous in Formula One history. The two drivers were very different in character: Hunt was flamboyant and outspoken, while Lauda was reserved and analytical. Their contrasting personalities led to a number of on-track incidents, and the two drivers developed an intense mutual dislike. However, they also respected each other’s driving abilities.

The 1976 season was one of the most dramatic in Formula One history. Lauda, who was leading the championship by a comfortable margin, had a serious accident at the German Grand Prix that left him with severe burns and in danger of losing his life. Hunt capitalized on Lauda’s absence to win four races in a row and take the championship lead. Lauda returned to racing just six weeks after his accident and narrowly lost the championship to Hunt by only one point.

3. Formula 1: Drive to Survive Docuseries (2019 – Present)

Perhaps one of the greatest docuseries to have ever been produced regarding motorsport, “Drive to Survive” has been produced by Netflix and reveals the true story behind the sport, with viewers gaining access behind the scenes and to things that are not usually observed.

Viewers will be able to see everything that happens on and off the track with access to their favorite drivers and team members, as well as looking at the owners and managers in a way that we have ever truly experienced.

Final Thoughts

There are so many incredible F1 documentaries, films, and docu series that are worth watching, however the three that have been picked out have to be considered to be amongst the very best to watch at the moment!