«Dedicated to all those who lost their lives while racing to the limit».
So it closes'1', the Formula One documentary produced by Exclusive Media Group for Amazon Prime Video, directed by Paul Crowdwer.
It is a 2013 film of just under two hours, made up of archival footage and exclusive interviews, with still the presence of many of the beloved champions who are no longer with us today, historic pilots of the caliber of Michael Schumacher or Niki Lauda.
It deals with the darkest period of Formula One, where at every race weekend it was not known who would be able to see the checkered flag, therefore the end of the race, unharmed.
It opens with pictures of a bad accident: we are in Melbourne, 10 March 1996, and the driver Martin Brundle has just turned into a barrier together with his car during the Australian GP. He came out without a scratch and even managed to resume the race after the interruption he caused. Everyone, though still unbelieving, they were aware of the fact that, until a few years earlier, he would surely have died on the spot, adding himself to the already large list of disappeared.
After the Second World War, men had to demonstrate great driving heroism. Over time, however, a sense of indignation will build up in the hearts of fans: it was no longer acceptable to die in the name of sport. No one wanted to see their myths abandon them too soon compared to their time.
However, before arriving at any concrete solution to the problem, a long series of young promises had to lose their lives, which left behind them a trail of bitter sadness and an increasingly deeper sense of insecurity about their life decisions. Was all of this really worth it?
As it is explained how at one point in the history of Formula One, the performance of the cars began to surpass that of the roads, which remained completely inadequate compared to the improvement that the single-seaters had received (both engine and aerodynamics). From there began the pilots' descent into Hell: without protections, with the first 'monsters' of cars that went twice as fast as before but could easily catch fire on the other hand, it is easy to understand how that chain of injuries and deaths came about.
The German pilot Jochen Ridnt he will be the first to worry about the safety of the racing single-seaters, ending up dying himself during one of them.
It was 5 September 1970, during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. At the time, he was racing alongside Graham Hill in the Lotus. He was first in the standings when, in qualifying on Saturday, he lost control and violently hit the guard-rail, dying instantly.
For the first time, Rindt was posthumously awarded the title of world champion. But, of course, no one celebrated that success.
According to some, it really takes a tragedy to be able to improve. And so, began a tortuous and difficult path that still continues today and makes improvements to be able to increasingly safeguard these four-wheel champions.
Afterwards, it will be the decision of Niki Lauda to withdraw from the Japanese Grand Prix, on the Mount Fuji circuit, which will completely change the sport.
On October 24, 1976, due to heavy rain, Lauda abandons the race in order not to risk it (again) life, after the terrible fire of his car that occurred a few weeks earlier on the Nurburgring circuit. Victory will pass into the hands of James Hunt, but from that moment nobody will want to risk seeing that type of Formula One anymore.
Finally, they deal with the incident that has probably most shocked the world. The death of Ayrton Senna will lead to treating the safety of machines also from a scientific point of view.
The Williams champion, who lost his life on May 1, 1994 on the Imola circuit, was 'preceded' in the tragedy by Roland ratzenberger, who left us during the Saturday practice of the same Grand Prix.
These are just some of the stories that are brought to light in this one interesting and moving documentary. Listening to the voice of someone who had the good fortune/unluck to experience those years firsthand creates a totally immersive effect for a passionate spectator.
It also refers to birth of some of the historic car manufacturers, as well as the world unto itself of television and the private lives of some of the most beloved pilots of that generation.
Furthermore, a note that intrigued me talks about the wives of the pilots, who also revolved around this universe, even if they are often not mentioned in the various films on this adrenaline-pumping sport. They were the real timekeepers, as well as the very patient companions, always ready to support the infinite desire to push themselves to the limit of their companions.
Everyone, with their own memories, contributes to adding a piece to the history of Formula One.
Article One From Sports born.
