[engines droning]
[tense music playing]
[pensive music playing]
[British commentator] And look at that! He improves in yet another sector,
and indeed, that's provisional pole for Ayrton Senna!
What an amazing lap…
Great job, Ayrton. P1 so far.
Car's undriveable, Frank.
You know our car wasn't built for this new regulation.
-We need some time-- -I know that.
I still haven't scored a single point this year.
No, Andrew. I haven't spoken to him yet.
Well, he's not exactly been available to me since I wrote that article.
I know it was years ago, but…
Well, if the retired Frenchman can manage seven wins with the Magic Carpet,
Senna would've won all 16 races last year, for sure.
[chuckles]
I'll call you back. Okay.
Oh no, don't worry, Laura. I don't completely disagree with you.
But still, I won seven races and the championship
against Senna.
-It's something, no? -Sure.
So, how do you think this retired Frenchman is doing
on your side of the paddock?
[chuckles]
Promising.
[chuckles]
Very good.
Hey, chief!
-Hey, Rubens. How's it going? -Man, good lap.
Well, I mean… Could have been better.
The car isn't helping at all. The track even less.
Like rally racing, right, chief?
Yeah, it's tough.
But hey, good luck. I wanna see you steal my pole.
[pensive music playing]
[music fades]
Hand still scraping against the cockpit?
You left McLaren and joined Williams to win the championship,
but Williams isn't the winning outfit you hoped it would be.
Is this an interview?
I'm writing an article about you. About your career.
Starting with go-karts.
Good place to start.
But why waste your time talking about a bad example?
I grew up listening to the roar of the engines in Norfolk.
I can tell when you're on the track.
I guess you can tell the difference.
Unfair advantages?
You are the reporter.
The regulation was revamped.
Electronic driver aids are no longer allowed.
-To hurt your chances? -No.
It affects everybody in the same way.
Even Benetton?
Your rival has it, and you don't. That makes the race unfair.
Yeah, but it's not a matter of losing or winning.
-But you are losing. -But it's not about me.
Electronic aids don't just increase speed.
They improve safety, and that's fundamental,
especially on a track like this. Irregular with no runoffs.
The risk is too big.
And yet you keep racing.
-I wanna be the champion. -Twenty points behind.
There's always the next race.
[crashing]
[people clamoring]
[sirens wailing]
[journalist in Italian] Barrichello crashes violently
at 225 kilometers per hour.
[British reporter in English] …at the Variante Bassa.
This is a huge accident and might be serious.
A severe accident with the Brazilian driver…
[indistinct journalist reports overlapping]
We still don't have any updates about Rubens Barrichello's condition.
Jordan's Brazilian driver is currently being treated
by chief F1 medic Sid Watkins and his team.
Where's Rubens?
Sid!
[machines beeping]
[joyous music playing]
[race car engines droning]
[cheering]
[ticking]
[music fades]
[faint ticking]
[haunting piano music playing]
Hello, chief.
How do you feel, Rubens?
I tried to take the Variante Bassa in fifth.
Bad call.
It wasn't your fault.
He'll be fine.
[TV] Luckily, the Brazilian driver didn't suffer any more severe injuries.
Today is the last day of practice here at Imola.
The drivers have one last chance to secure a good place on the starting grid.
[sighs]
[determined music playing]
-Hey. Is Niki here? -No.
Hey, Ayrton.
-Spoken to Rubens? -Yes.
He's in shock, but he'll be okay.
-Is he going to race tomorrow? -No.
We're all pretty shaken up.
Still, everybody's working like nothing happened.
It's part of the show, isn't it?
Remember when Berger crashed here at Tamburello?
He caught on fire.
You know, back then, did they cancel the race? No.
What about when Donnelly crashed a few years ago? No.
Or when Niki almost died.
You know how it is, mate. There'll still be a race tomorrow.
Of course.
'Cause we are the ones going out on the track, not them.
Yeah, and I'm actually paying to race, and it's not cheap.
Well, I've got to go.
[indistinct chattering]
I need to find Niki.
See you.
Did you notice the track?
The asphalt is shit.
They only resurfaced before the corners.
Yes, and they will end up blaming Rubens, even with the curbs as high as they are.
Niki.
We need to reestablish the drivers' association.
If we do, you should be president.
"A result of politicians making stupid decisions."
You said so yourself at the press conference in Suzuka.
Ayrton… you are a man of action.
-You don't bullshit people. -What about you in '76?
You gave up the race after the first lap.
After what I had gone through that year?
No, no, no.
Why risk my life for a title? Hmm?
Sometimes we are the ones who have to decide to race or not.
Not them.
I've never regretted it.
Thank you.
[Frank] We've been on this for a month.
Doesn't make sense that we haven't got a good setup yet.
You're working with the data from Interlagos and Okayama.
-Right? -Yeah.
If we go on with this change, every gain we have on balance
will be a loss we have on downforce.
-Frank, give me balance. I'll do the rest. -It'll still be slow on the corners.
The car's too unpredictable.
It might spin out again, like it did in Brazil.
And if I don't finish the race, that's as slow as you can get.
It's gonna work.
Okay, let's do it.
-[loud thud] -[British commentator] Oh my goodness!
-What a horrific crash! The Simtek MTV… -[Senna] Shit.
…of Roland Ratzenberger seems to have lost its rear wing
at the Villeneuve corner.
It crashed at full speed.
The stands are silent here at Imola.
The Simtek car is completely destroyed.
[sirens wailing]
[unsettling music playing]
-[journalist 1] Is F1 racing safe? -[journalist 2] What's his condition?
[indistinct chattering]
[engineer] Please. Not now, not now. We're working. Please.
-Stand back, please. -Miss, miss, please, not now.
[journalist] Ayrton!
[Senna] Frank, Damon. Guys, this practice is over.
Let's close the pit.
Damon. Put on your helmet. Get in the fucking car.
-It's not your decision, Frank. -And it's yours, I suppose?
-This is still my bloody team, Ayrton. -I'm not going back to the track today.
And I don't even know if I'm gonna race tomorrow.
Did you see Ratzenberger?
All right, that's it. For today!
I need you to keep it under control at the drivers' briefing tomorrow.
[foreboding music playing]
Galvão, um, I'm pretty sure every driver here
is feeling Ratzenberger's suffering in their own body.
You know, Galvão, I just hope he's as lucky as I was.
That's right. We still don't have any official information,
but from what we saw, the images of the accident, I mean…
he's in critical condition.
As you know, Williams has already informed us
they won't return to the track, a decision which I'm sure was influenced by Senna,
who went to the crash site representing the drivers.
Benetton's also out.
And I've just been informed that Benetton are also out.
Benetton has just announced they won't put their cars back on the track.
Schumacher and Senna, the two main championship contenders of the season,
leave their rivalry aside
and won't be trying to better their qualifying times.
[Senna] I was there in '82 when Villeneuve crashed.
-[Prost] I was there too. -[Senna] I was in F2000.
I was a kid.
So the next day, I went to the track. Didn't even consider giving up the race.
But what's happened here is wrong.
What happened with Rubens and Ratzenberger shouldn't happen anymore.
Everything is wrong. The cars, the regulations, this track.
Niki told me about reestablishing the drivers' association.
Yeah, I know. I talked to him.
He thinks I should be the president… but it's not for me.
I thought of you.
Oof.
I would've been a great president.
The best, even.
But as always, boring old Niki's right.
It has to be you.
You were just a kid when you started racing,
so now you know more about it than anyone else.
And look at what happened today, Ayrton.
You're the one that stopped the qualifying.
Now the Federation wants to punish me. Again.
Mm.
Also, I'm 20 points behind on the championship.
-I can't ignore that if I wanna win. -Okay, bon.
The fight with Schumacher is not that fair, is it?
-No. -No.
-No. The electronic aids… -Mm.
And the way they changed the rules was ridiculous.
Of course the cars were not built to run without electronics.
I don't think they know how dangerous it is.
They know.
-They know. -Hmm.
You know, I raced all of last year with those electronic aids.
Of course, back then, they were within the regulations.
You would've had your chance this year.
But they pulled the magic carpet from under your feet.
They and you.
-Me? -Yes.
If it hadn't been for your veto, I would've raced with you last year.
-No. -[chuckles]
Come on, you know that.
I should've vetoed you back in '88 at McLaren as well.
You should come back, Alain.
It was always a pleasure to beat you in the races. I really miss that.
[Prost] Mm-hmm.
No, no, I cannot come back. I, um… I have a new job.
I have to say bad things about you on the television.
No, I want to…
I want to spend more time with my family now.
Everything has to end. It's… inevitable.
What about you? What are your plans for after you retire?
I'm not retiring.
My sister is helping me to organize an institute focused on education.
Children in Brazil really need more opportunities, so…
So you are a nice guy?
Just not so much to me.
I'll do everything I can to help you with the drivers' association.
Thank you.
Bon. Time to go.
[dramatic music playing]
[ticking]
[music fades]
[anchor in Italian] The sports media mogul has announced
that his government will be upstanding.
When asked about the possibility of selling his businesses
to focus on politics,
he answered that an immediate sale would be impossible.
[anchor continues indistinctly]
And now some sad news just in from the Imola Grand Prix.
[anchor in English] Ratzenberger was declared dead
eight minutes after arriving at the hospital.
Even after the death of the Austrian driver,
Formula One organizers have confirmed
that tomorrow’s race will still take place.
[in Italian] It had been 12 years since the last death
at a Formula One Grand Prix when Italian Riccardo Paletti died…
[woman in English] I saw the crash on TV.
-It was terrifying. -Try not to think too much about it, okay?
From here, I'm going straight to Lisbon.
As soon as I land, I'll get a car and meet you there.
-Miss you. See you tomorrow. -Bye, Dri.
Bye.
Adriane. She's scared.
She already was with Rubinho's accident. Imagine now.
Yeah, everyone's pretty worried.
What about you? Will you race tomorrow?
I'm 34 now, Galvão. Not a kid anymore.
I cannot stay quiet, pretending nothing happened.
You're not one to put your head in the sand.
Well, I'm going.
Uh-oh, the Brit's here, sniffing for news.
No, I don't have a room number for him. I just wanted to leave it behind the desk.
Good evening.
Please can I have my key?
-You don't give up, huh? -Look who's talking.
-Thanks. -[receptionist] Prego.
But I have one question. To finish that piece on your career.
Just one.
The question's on the tape.
[mysterious music playing]
It's the first time I'm thinking of not racing.
[Zaza] Beco, when you started out at Toleman,
you said you only wanted to be Formula One champion,
and then you would quit.
I knew you wouldn't quit.
You have a need to race. It's who you are.
But you're more than just that, son. Much more.
Can you hear me?
-Thanks, Mom. -[Milton] Son?
Hey, Dad. Were you listening?
[Milton] I wanted to hear you too. How's the car?
Mm. We're
working on it.
Good.
Stay out of trouble, son.
Stay out of trouble, Dad.
Beco?
You're the best driver in the world.
You don't need to prove anything to anyone.
Do what you think is right, like you always have.
Good night.
Good night, Dad.
[crowd cheering]
[pensive music playing]
We're all, all… deeply saddened by the situation we're in.
Dealing with a tragedy like this,
it isn't easy.
We've lost one of our own.
Roland Ratzenberger.
But all safety regulations have been met. I can assure you of that.
Since I became president last year,
we've been making every effort to increase safety,
and important changes have been made.
But…
the risk is always there.
No one here is naive.
For better or worse, this is our sport.
Look, I understand this is a delicate situation,
but we have to move on.
That's why we have therefore decided that today's race will go ahead.
I believe this to be the correct decision under the circumstances.
I think it would be a mistake to review rules and regulations
without examining what happened in depth.
Well…
Now, regarding the restart procedure,
track stewards have been notified of a technical issue with the…
[tense music playing]
-We both know that to be the truth-- -Max.
Um… Yeah, I'll… I'll catch you up.
Ayrton, how can I help you?
I know the risk is part of motor racing,
but we should do everything we can for safety.
And with these new rules, it's just--
All the changes were approved by the teams and drivers last season.
Please let me finish.
Please. We're not in the briefing room anymore.
It's just me and you here. Okay?
-What do you want, Ayrton? -The drivers need to be heard.
-You have been. -No, we haven't.
Since Okayama, we've been trying to tell you about the problems.
Since before, actually.
And how many accidents, serious accidents, happened during testing early this year?
Lehto, Hill, Alesi, and now Barrichello and Ratzenberger.
You criticize the rules, but you're the one
that keeps finding himself in breach of the regulations.
Now, remember,
you're under a suspended two-race ban for your behavior last year.
So, what are you suggesting?
Postpone the race.
Cancel it so that the death of a driver is not forgotten.
The race is going to happen, Ayrton.
But no driver is forced to race.
[melancholy music playing]
[Sid] These wounds, they don't seem to heal.
They've become part of you.
I know.
The adjustments on the wheel made no fucking difference.
My hands are scraping against the side of the cockpit all the time.
I wish I could have done something for him.
Ayrton… you've already saved one life out there.
Comas is racing today because of what you did in '92.
And saving a life… is an incredible thing.
You do it every day.
Regrettably not.
I've lost quite a few.
You're a three-time world champion and the fastest driver in Formula One.
What more do you need?
I'll tell you what.
Why don't we quit and go fishing?
Like we do on vacations.
We could go fishing or do anything else we want.
You'd have more time for your girl. What do you think?
I can't quit, Sid.
[wistful music playing]
If you can't stop, you'd better have a good reason to race.
[pensive music playing]
[Laura] When I started writing about your 30-year career,
I decided to start from the beginning with go-karting.
But now might actually be the time to question the present
and look towards the future.
Thirty years after getting your first go-kart from your dad,
ten years in Formula One, three world championships.
Why do you keep racing?
[Niki] Ayrton.
Is that what you asked for?
Much more beautiful than the green-and-yellow rag you carry around.
Thank you.
Aren't you gonna tell me what you plan to do with it?
If it's the only way to make them pay attention…
I'm gonna win the race and take this flag to the podium with me.
I'm gonna race for Ratzenberger.
I will tell you this, Ayrton.
If you decide to accept Ferrari's offer,
it would be an honor for all of us.
I can't, Niki. Can't do that with Gerhard.
He finally has his chance to be first driver.
-I can't make him second again. -[scoffs] Bullshit.
You know, I will not cheer for you.
But I hope you have a good race.
-[girl] Stop! Stop! Wait! -Oh, guys, cut it out.
Bruno, Paula, If you wanna run, go outside.
Are they only gonna show the race when it starts?
These kids are impossible today.
-Do you remember Beco at that age, Zaza? -He was like a little volcano.
[Galvão] We're live for all of Brazil
with the Imola Grand Prix.
This is the third race of the Formula One 1994 season.
Senna begins in pole position.
He's seeking his first victory this season after not scoring in the first two races,
which were won by Benetton's Michael Schumacher.
[suspenseful music playing]
-[man] Laura Harrison? -Yes.
-[man] This is from Ayrton. -Thank you.
[crowd cheering]
[French commentator] We have Ayrton Senna on the radio, live from the track.
Hello! Hello, Ayrton!
Are you confident for a good race here today in Imola?
[Senna] I hope it's a good race for everyone,
and I want to take the moment to say a special hello
to my dear, dear friend Alain.
He's there with you.
We miss you, Alain.
[gladiatorial music playing]
[Senna] More tight.
[engines revving]
[French commentator] Alain, you got to talk to Senna before the race.
Oui, oui, I spoke with Ayrton,
and he was really worried about the state of the track.
And what can I say? I agree with him, actually.
[cheering builds]
-[cheering dulls] -[peaceful music playing]
[cheering intensifies]
Another very serious accident in Imola.
Pedro Lamy's Lotus has been destroyed.
[Frank] Accident at the start, Ayrton.
Lamy and Lehto. Safety car will go on the track.
[Senna] How bad was it?
[British commentator] Two tires of Lamy's car
went over the fence and into the crowd.
They're okay. They're okay.
[British commentator] It's been a very dangerous weekend here at Imola.
[Frank] Track cleanup. Estimate two laps to restart.
[apprehensive music playing]
[Milton] You're in control,
but the car talks to you.
The steering wheel moves the column,
which makes the wheels turn on the ground.
To the right and to the left.
So, son, it's like your hands are on the ground too.
On the dirt or the asphalt.
Feel it.
[legato string chords play]
[young Senna imitating race car engine]
[race car engine revving]
Safety car off.
Ayrton Senna made pole in the first two races of the year,
but Michael Schumacher won them both and leads the championship.
Today, here in Imola, Senna was polesitter again
and is trying to protect his lead in the race
from Benetton's German driver.
Michael Schumacher is trying to pressure Ayrton Senna
right now on lap six.
Senna's trying to make his Renault engine scream louder than the Ford engine.
He's coming into the fastest stretch,
where they reach speeds of up to 330 kilometers per hour.
Senna's had a bad crash.
Ayrton Senna
has had a very bad crash.
[British commentator] Senna crashed. He ran off at the Tamburello corner.
[Japanese commentator] He failed to make the turn.
[Italian commentator] He veered off…
[German commentator] …and crashed into the wall.
[overlapping commentaries]
[Spanish commentator] He's gone off. We have a serious accident at Imola.
[German commentator] …the Maggiore Hospital in Bologna…
[Spanish commentator] …taken to hospital.
[reporter 1 in English] The driver was taken to hospital here in Bologna.
-[reporter 2 in Italian] His condition… -[reporter 3 in Italian] …very serious.
[reporter 4 in English] Ayrton Senna da Silva has died,
according to an official statement from Maggiore Hospital of Bologna.
This is news we wish we'd never had to report.
Ayrton Senna da Silva has died.
[mournful cello music playing]
Ayrton Senna was the greatest driver who's ever lived
in the history of Grand Prix racing.
He, uh, was supreme in almost every way in the sport
and great personality, not only as a driver but as a man.
At 2:16 p.m., Ayrton Senna died at the Imola circuit.
Ayrton Senna, one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history.
A tragic weekend for Formula One,
as Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna was killed as he came off the track.
[sobs] When I saw the crash,
I was unable to continue my report.
[reporter 4] Brazil bids farewell to its great idol, Ayrton Senna.
Today, the Brazilian nation has lost not only a three-time world champion
but a hero.
We've lost someone who waved the Brazilian flag up high
on the highest podiums.
Formula One has lost one of its greatest figures,
and Sundays have lost their sparkle for an entire nation.
[crowd chanting] Ole, ole, ole, ola!
Senna, Senna!
Ole, ole, ole, ola!
Senna, Senna!
SENNA FOREVER WE LOVE YOU
FOREVER MISSED SENNA
-[crowd continues chanting] -[mournful music playing]
[music fades]
[tape player clunking]
[poignant piano music playing]
[tape player whirring]
[Senna] I'm a racing driver.
I think that, even before I got into a car,
I already knew I was born to race.
Since I was a boy, I had this feeling the world moved too slow for me.
[chuckles]
It was like I had a different perception of everything.
Of time, especially.
My mother says I didn't learn to walk.
I learned to race.
She called me "little volcano." [chuckles]
Then one day, I got into the go-kart that Milton, my dad, built for me.
And that's when I found myself, for real.
It was just me, the car,
and the track.
Just me and time.
That's it. I'm a racing driver.
And, for a driver, the battle is always against time
but never just against time.
It's an endless joy.
It's an adventure, adrenaline.
Pure racing.
When I was a boy, I only wanted to race and win for myself.
I think that, after 20 years of racing,
I learned that no one wins alone.
That's why I never stopped racing.
Because when I'm in my car, I know that I'm not alone.
[clicks]
[in Portuguese] I'm really lucky. I've always had a great life.
But everything I've achieved came through dedication and perseverance…
um…
and a strong drive to achieve my goals.
A drive to win. Win in life, not as a racing driver.
And to all of you who are watching right now,
I say, whoever you are,
regardless of your position in life,
from the highest social class to the lowest,
always aim for strength and determination.
Always do everything with love
and a strong faith in God,
and one day, you'll get there.
One way or another, you'll get there.
["The Best" by Tina Turner playing]
♪ Ooh, you come to me ♪
♪ Give me everything I need ♪
♪ Give me a lifetime of promises ♪
♪ And a world of dreams ♪
♪ Speak the language of love ♪
♪ Like you know what it means ♪
♪ Mm, and it can't be wrong… ♪
[cheering and applause]
♪ Take my heart and make it strong, baby ♪
♪ You're simply the best… ♪
Is it possible to be equal?
-At the championship? -No.
-Shit. -Can only be one winner. [chuckles]
♪ Better than anyone ♪
♪ Anyone I ever met ♪
♪ I'm stuck on your heart ♪
♪ I hang on every word you say ♪
♪ Tear us apart? No, no ♪
♪ Baby, I would rather be dead… ♪
[cheering and applause]
[in Portuguese] Come here, Dad. Come.
♪ I start losing control ♪
♪ You're walking away With my heart and my soul ♪
♪ I can feel you even when I'm alone ♪
♪ Oh, baby, don't let go… ♪
[cheering and applause]
I'm a fan! I'm really a fan. I'm very excited.
♪ Oh, you're the best ♪
♪ Better than all the rest ♪
♪ Better than anyone ♪
♪ Anyone I ever met ♪
♪ Ooh, I'm stuck on your heart ♪
♪ I hang on every word you say ♪
♪ Oh, tear us apart? No, no ♪
♪ Baby, I would rather be dead ♪
♪ Oh, you're the best ♪
[fans chanting] Ole, ole, ole, ola!
Senna, Senna!
Ole, ole, ole, ola!
Senna…
[hopeful music playing]
[engines droning]
[mysterious music playing]
[somber music playing]
[determined music playing]
[haunting music playing]
[tense music playing]
-[dramatic drumbeats pound] -[music fades out]