The sun dips below the horizon of the Imola circuit, casting long shadows over the track where legends are made and lost. The final episode of Netflix's "Senna" Season 1, titled "Time," is a poignant reflection on the life and untimely death of Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian racing legend whose indomitable spirit was both a beacon of hope and a tragic harbinger of the sport's darker side.
As the series draws to a close, we are taken on a journey through Senna's final days, a period marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a growing disillusionment with the politics that plagued the world of Formula 1. The episode opens with Senna's unwavering commitment to fair play, a principle that had guided him since his go-karting days. His disdain for rules favoring certain racers was a testament to his belief in the purity of the sport, a belief that would be severely tested as his career progressed.
The disqualification of Senna's win at the Formula One Suzuka Grand Prix by the FIA on technical grounds was the tipping point, prompting him to speak out against the organization. The stress of navigating the treacherous waters of racing politics while pushing his body to the limits on the track began to take a toll on Senna. The muscle spasm he suffered after the 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix was a harbinger of the physical and mental challenges that lay ahead.
In 1994, as Senna joined Williams Racing, he faced the daunting task of adapting to cars that were struggling to comply with the FIA's strict technical restrictions, including the banning of electronic driver aids. The FW16's design, a consequence of these regulations, was a source of frustration for Senna, who found the car's cockpit uncomfortable and unsafe. The reporter Laura's revelation that Benetton was secretly using banned driver aids highlighted the unfairness of the competition, further fueling Senna's determination to challenge the status quo.
The tragic deaths of Roland Ratzenberger and the subsequent accident of Rubens Barrichello were pivotal moments that shook Senna to his core. They underscored the very real dangers faced by drivers and the urgent need for change. Senna's discussions with Niki Lauda about re-establishing the Drivers' Association were a bid to empower his fellow racers to have a say in their safety and the sport's future. The refusal to race following Ratzenberger's death was a powerful statement, one that even his archrival, Alain Prost, supported.
The episode also delves into Senna's personal struggles, as he confides in his mother, Zaza, about his fears and apprehensions. His father's advice to follow his heart added another layer of emotional depth to his decision-making process. The meeting with the FIA President, Max Mosley, where Senna advocates for a postponement of the San Marino Grand Prix, is a tense exchange that highlights the gulf between the drivers' realities and the administration's detachment from the track's dangers.
The final moments of the episode are a heart-wrenching portrayal of Senna's last race. The crash that tragically cut short his life is shown not just as a result of driver error, but as a culmination of the systemic issues within the sport. Professor Sid Watkins' observation about Senna's bleeding hands serves as a stark reminder of the physical toll the FIA's regulations were taking on the drivers.
"Time" is a fitting conclusion to Senna's story, a story of a man who sought to transcend the sport he loved, only to be felled by its flaws. His death was a turning point that led to the re-establishment of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association and a significant reduction in fatal accidents, a testament to the importance of the voice that Senna fought to empower.
As we reflect on Senna's legacy, we are reminded of the human cost of sport and the need for continuous improvement in safety. His story is a cautionary tale, a celebration of a life cut short, and a call to action for the sport he loved so dearly. Senna's time may have ended, but his impact on Formula 1 and the lives he touched will echo through time, a reminder of the fragility of life and the resilience of the human spirit.