SAO PAULO (AP) — Thirty years after his death in a high-speed crash viewed by millions around the world, Formula One champion Ayrton Senna's high-octane life is also about to play out in front of a global audience.
The legendary Brazilian driver — who was killed when his car hit a concrete wall at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994 — is the subject of a six-episode Netflix series that debuts on Nov. 29 and follows him from his early go-kart days to that fatal Sunday afternoon at the Imola track in Italy.
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British actor Patrick Kennedy poses for photos on the red carpet for the Netflix series Senna, about the life and death of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, who was killed in 1994 in a crash, in Sao Paulo, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Brazilian actress Camila Mardila poses for photos on the red carpet for the Netflix series Senna, about the life and death of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, who was killed in 1994 in a crash, in Sao Paulo, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Brazilian actress Pamela Tome poses for photos on the red carpet for the Netflix series Senna, about the life and death of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, who was killed in a 1994 crash, in Sao Paulo, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Film director Vicente Amorim poses for photos on the red carpet for the Netflix series Senna, about the life and death of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, who was killed in a 1994 crash, in Sao Paulo, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A replica of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna's car sits on display on the red carpet for the Netflix series Senna, about the life and death of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, who was killed in a 1994 crash, in Sao Paulo, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Brazilian actor Gabriel Leone poses for photos on the red carpet for the Netflix series Senna, about the life and death of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, who was killed in 1994 in a crash, in Sao Paulo, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Even three decades after that accident, few F1 figures evoke as much emotion and passion among fans and fellow drivers as Senna, who won three championship titles before his death at the age of 34.
Senna’s complex personality — he was a saint to his millions of Brazilian fans and a sinner to some critics who deemed his driving style too aggressive — comes to life through Brazilian actor Gabriel Leone, who embraced the challenge of portraying such a popular figure.
“He was much more than an F1 driver for us, he became an icon, much beyond his technique and his driving,” Leone told The Associated Press in an interview in Sao Paulo. “He had this humanity, this honesty. The things he said, his values, it all made him closer to people.”
Senna's life and career had no shortage of made-for-TV moments.
This was a driver who once won a race with his car stuck in sixth gear in front of thousands of raucous fans at the Interlagos track. And who went from fifth position to first in one lap at the 1993 European Grand Prix. And who jumped out of his car during a training session to save the life of a French driver who had crashed.
On the track, his rivalry with French driver Alain Prost was one of the most intense that F1 has ever seen. Off the track, he had some high-profile relationships as well and dated several models, including Elle Macpherson.
“For me as an actor, the more complex the character is, the better. It is more interesting to build him and live him. And this is quite a character, the biggest hero in Brazil, not only in sport,” Leone said. “Ayrton was transcendent, he was more than an F1 driver. That’s a guy who is the hero of great drivers in history, like (Michael) Schumacher and (Lewis) Hamilton.”
Senna won the drivers’ championship in 1988, 1990 and 1991 with the McLaren team and moved to Williams in the year he died as the favorite to lift the title again.
For Leone, though, it was also important to portray him as a person who understood his role as a national hero, who advocated for the poor and proudly waved a Brazilian flag from his cockpit during every victory lap.
“He was not distant, he was close," said Leone, who attended a red carpet premiere in Sao Paulo on Tuesday with several other cast members and director Vicente Amorim. "That’s for Brazilians and non-Brazilians. It was like this, and it still is like this.”
To many international fans, Senna was simply an exceptional talent who was born to be a driver. Even former rival Martin Brundle, now a TV pundit, once likened Senna's ability to find grip on some corners to a dance seemingly innate to a Brazilian.
“It is a different kind of samba that I could not do,” Brundle has said.
The Netflix series, however, shows some of the hard work and attention to detail that went into Senna becoming a wet-weather master.
The streaming giant — which reportedly invested more than $170 million in its production — also takes a bit of liberty with the truth when it comes to building up the animosity between Senna and one of his other real-life antagonists, Jean-Marie Balestre, the French former president of F1's governing body FIA.
Balestre is often accused by fans of aiding his countryman Prost in his rivalry with Senna, including at the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix by stopping the race early before the Brazilian driver could overtake his French rival in the heavy rain. And at the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix, when Senna was disqualified in a decision that handed the championship title to Prost.
The Netflix series goes a step further by making Balestre (played by Arnaud Viard) the man responsible for Senna also losing a go-kart title as a youngster, long before he even entered F1.
“If that was true it would be news to every reporter covering Senna’s story over the last decades,” said Ernesto Rodrigues, who wrote a biography on the three-time F1 champion. “Yes, Senna had Balestre working against him many times. But Balestre was an autocrat with other drivers, too. It wasn’t exclusive.”
Prost, played by Matt Mella, goes from being a racing foe to a friend after his retirement in the series just like in real life. The friction between the two as McLaren teammates and then in the title-deciding races in the 1989 and 1990 seasons create some of the best moments of the series for racing fans.
Three of the women in Senna’s life also appear in the series.
Scenes with Lílian de Vasconcellos Souza, who married Senna in 1981 and divorced him the next year, help show how the Brazilian was driven to go into F1 early in his career. Xuxa Meneghel, a wildly popular TV host, is featured for a full episode as the driver’s most important girlfriend. Adriane Galisteu, who was the champion’s girlfriend when he died, appears for less than three minutes.
Senna's importance to today's F1 drivers was on full display at the Brazilian Grand Prix this month, when Hamilton — the British seven-time F1 champion — drove one of Senna's old cars around the track as part of the tributes marking the 30th anniversary of his death.
“This is the greatest honor of my life,” Hamilton said on Nov. 3. “I hope I made Senna proud.”
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British actor Patrick Kennedy poses for photos on the red carpet for the Netflix series Senna, about the life and death of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, who was killed in 1994 in a crash, in Sao Paulo, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Brazilian actress Camila Mardila poses for photos on the red carpet for the Netflix series Senna, about the life and death of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, who was killed in 1994 in a crash, in Sao Paulo, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Brazilian actress Pamela Tome poses for photos on the red carpet for the Netflix series Senna, about the life and death of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, who was killed in a 1994 crash, in Sao Paulo, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Film director Vicente Amorim poses for photos on the red carpet for the Netflix series Senna, about the life and death of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, who was killed in a 1994 crash, in Sao Paulo, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A replica of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna's car sits on display on the red carpet for the Netflix series Senna, about the life and death of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, who was killed in a 1994 crash, in Sao Paulo, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Brazilian actor Gabriel Leone poses for photos on the red carpet for the Netflix series Senna, about the life and death of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, who was killed in 1994 in a crash, in Sao Paulo, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
SUNBURY, Ohio (AP) — For the Young family in rural Sunbury, Ohio, activism begins at home.
The conservative Catholic family chooses to live their anti-abortion beliefs through adoption, foster-parenting and raising their children to believe in the sanctity of life. They're also committed to teaching their children about political candidates they see as aligned with their beliefs.
The night before this year's presidential election, Erin and Mike Young gathered their children, Lucas, 8, Gianna, 7, and Isaac, 5, around a bonfire near their farmhouse to pray for Donald Trump as “the pro-life candidate.”
A small group from the church they attend joined them for the “Patriotic Rosary.”
Rosaries in hand, they prayed for the nation and its leaders. They prayed for former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. They recited the “Hail Mary” prayer for each state and “every soul living there.”
As the fire dwindled, they sang “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The next afternoon on Election Day, the three children put on “Future Ohio Voter” stickers. Isaac and Lucas wore their Trump baseball hats. They piled into their dad's truck to go to the polling place. Mom had voted earlier. Around the voting booth, they pressed their faces in close to watch dad vote for Trump.
"Educating our kids why voting for leaders who honor and protect life is very important," said Erin, who homeschools the children. She notes that she and her husband were told one of their children was born after the child's biological mother took abortion medication that did not work.
“They know, and they understand why we voted for Trump. They know that he’s the most pro-life president," she said a little more than a week after the election. "Now that the election has gone our way. We still need to focus on what’s going on in Ohio. Because the power has been given back to the states. We still need to pray, and we still need to fight against the abortion laws in the state itself.”
Ohio voters a year ago approved a constitutional amendment that ensured access to abortion. Trump, who claims credit for his Supreme Court appointees who helped reverse Roe v. Wade, has repeatedly said states should decide the issue.
The Youngs said they are not bothered by Trump's decision to put abortion-rights supporter Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in charge of the Department of Health and Human Services despite his conflicting stands on abortion. “Abortion is now a state issue, not federal," Mike said.
The family next plans to attend the National March for Life on Jan. 24 in Washington.
Isaac Young, 5, wears his "TRUMP Keep America Great" hat as he holds up the book, "One Vote, Two Votes, I Vote, You Vote of The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library" by Bonnie Worth, illustrated by Aristides Ruiz, and Joe Mathieu, before going to watch his dad, Mike Young, vote for Donald Trump on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Isaac Young, 5, holds up an "Ohio Voted" sticker outside the Trenton Township polling place after watching his dad, Mike Young, vote for Donald Trump on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The Young children from left, Isaac, Lucas, and Gianna, attend the Ohio March for Life with their mom, Erin Young, at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. All three children are adopted. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Mike and Erin Young and their three adopted kids from left, Lucas, 8, Gianna, 7, and Isaac, 5, pose for a family photo outside the Trenton Township polling place after Mike voted for Donald Trump on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Mike Young, joined by his wife Erin Young, left, and their three adopted kids, Gianna, 7, right, Isaac, 5, third from right, and Lucas, 8, second from left, votes for Donald Trump on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at the Trenton Township building in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Erin and Mike Young drive to the Trenton Township building to vote with their adopted kids, Gianna, 7, Isaac, 5, and Lucas, 8, on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Gianna Young, 7, left, Isaac Young, 5, center, and Lucas Young, 8, look at books in the back seat of the truck for the trip to vote with adoptive parents Mike and Erin Young on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Gianna Young, 7, right, and Isaac Young, 5, pose for a photo on their farm before going to vote with adoptive parents Mike and Erin Young on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A "Pray for America" sticker is on the kitchen door of Erin and Mike Young's home in Sunbury, Ohio, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, where they live with their three adopted children, Lucas, 8, Gianna, 7, and Isaac, 5. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Gianna Young, 7, holds a farm cat Coco before gathering with family and members of their Catholic church to pray the "Patriotic Rosary" for the consecration of the nation and Donald Trump around a bonfire at their home, the night before the election, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Gianna Young, 7, feeds the pigs before homeschooling on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Gianna Young, 7, feeds "Mama Pig" as she does farm chores with her brothers, Lucas, 8, right in the red hat, and Isaac, 5, left, before homeschooling on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Gianna Young, 7, reaches for a chicken on a high shelf of the hen house as she does farm chores before homeschooling, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Isaac Young, 5, rests his cheek on the family horse Rusty's forehead during farm chores before homeschooling, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Isaac Young, 5, left, and his big sister Gianna Young, 7, look at her one-year baby book during a homeschool break in their Sunbury, Ohio, home on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The refrigerator is decorated with family photos, prayers, and drawings in the Young's Sunbury, Ohio, kitchen on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The refrigerator is decorated with family photos, prayers, and drawings in the Young's Sunbury, Ohio, kitchen on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A paper cutout of The Last Supper, the last supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles, from the Gospel of John, is seen atop the piano in the Young's Sunbury, Ohio, home on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Lucas Young, 8, plays the piano during homeschooling on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Erin Young helps her adopted son Lucas, 8, with a song on the piano during homeschooling on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Gianna Young, 7, looks at her big bother Lucas' one-year baby book during a homeschool break in the dining room of their Sunbury, Ohio, home on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Isaac Young, 5, right, and his big sister Gianna Young, 7, look at his one-year baby book during a homeschool break in the dining room of their Sunbury, Ohio, home on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Gianna Young, 7, works on her letters with the word "religion" during homeschool lessons in the dining room of her Sunbury, Ohio, home on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Erin Young homeschools her adopted children, Isaac, 5, right, and Gianna, 7, left, in the dining room of their Sunbury, Ohio, home on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Erin Young, right, homeschools her adopted sons, Lucas, 8, left, and Isaac, 5, in the dining room of their Sunbury, Ohio, home on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
With hands over their hearts, Erin Young and her three adopted children from left, Isaac, 5, Gianna, 7, and Lucas, 8, say the Pledge of Allegiance as they begin their homeschooling lessons, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Erin Young wears a Holy Spirit T-shirt as she talks with her adopted son Isaac, 5, at home on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Erin Young wears a T-shirt that reads "Social Justice Begins in the Womb" as she works in the kitchen with her adopted son Isaac, 5, on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
From left, Gianna Young, holding a sign that reads "We Vote Pro-God Pro-America Pro-Life Pro-Freedom" and her brothers Lucas and Isaac, holding a "Choose Life" sign, march with their mom, Erin Young, during the Ohio March for Life in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. All three children are adopted. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The Young children from left, Gianna, Isaac, and Lucas, attend the Ohio March for Life, with their mom Erin Young, right, at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. All three children are adopted. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Erin Young holds her adopted daughter Gianna Young, 7, as she prays the "Patriotic Rosary" for the consecration of the nation and Donald Trump with family and members of their Catholic church around a bonfire at their home the night before the election, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
