Netflix excels at many things, including bingeable series like Stranger Things or Squid Games.
It makes bespoke films as well as real-life documentaries. In some cases, it can have a cultural impact. Sports Illustrated credits Drive To Survive as bringing motorsport back to life. There’s another Netflix series you should not miss if you have a newfound appreciation for F1 in America or around the world.
It is simply called “Schumacher” and tells the story of Michael Schumacher, one of the most influential drivers in the history of motorsport. The German driver, who was first to win seven world titles, still holds that honor jointly with Lewis Hamilton. This Netflix hit shows footage of his family and race action mixed with interviews and race action to create a compelling and touching biography of his life. Anyone who saw the 2010 film Senna knows exactly what to expect. You should watch Senna before you move on to Schumacher.
His family gave their blessing to the film, which included his son, Mick Schumacher, who is currently a F1 driver. Mick has not won a Grand Prix and is a heavy outsider in the Ladbrokes betting odds to drive for Haas. As he starts his F1 career, he has a lot of work to do. There will be inevitable comparisons with his father.
People who don’t know Schumacher need to be prepared for the last stages of the film. A personal tragedy has struck and while we won’t give away any spoilers, it adds a poignant, emotional twist to the high-octane opening. The family’s candid honesty throughout the film is a positive for viewers. It allows us to see the true Michael Schumacher.
Mick Schumacher stated that the documentary was “great”. “I am very happy and relieved that people accepted it the way we intended it to. People have to see the sacrifices that he made to get what he achieved. It is now clear that it wasn’t given to him, and that he had had to work hard for it.
“I think that’s excellent and that’s basically what the documentary’s about – to demonstrate what a hard worker and what a fighter this man is, and I’m proud that we were able transmit that message with this message.”
Although the family gave interviews, it was not possible to peek behind the curtain and see Schumacher’s current life after 2013. This is a sensitive area of Schumacher’s life, and they are very careful to keep it private. It is also fascinating to see how filmmakers handle some of the more controversial aspects of his career, such as the cynical collisions with Damon Hill (Japan 94), and Jacques Villeneuve(Japan 97), and the deliberate blocking of Fernando Alonso while qualifying for the 2006 Monaco Grand Prix.
There is no doubt that his driving skills are flawed, but there are many in his work ethic, hunger for success, and desire to be a great driver. This film captures all of this and more and is a great stop for anyone who’s currently hooked on Drive to Survive.
