Senna

Racing aficionados are familiar with the circumstances surrounding the death of Formula One world champion Ayrton Senna in 1994. They’re also aware of the many accomplishments on the track that made his loss that much more tragic for the sport.

The compelling documentary Senna, which traces the life and career of the Brazilian driver, takes a broad perspective that appeal to fans and non-fans alike. In other words, it’s for more than just gearheads.

Senna helped to energize the Formula One circuit when he burst on the scene in the mid-1980s. His brash yet charming demeanor and aggressive driving style helped bring new fans to the sport, especially in his home country of Brazil, where he reached celebrity status.

The film traces Senna’s rapid rise to fame, during which he quickly became one of the top drivers on the worldwide circuit. While his driving skill was unmatched he struggled to navigate the politics of racing, and was a frequent target of officials and competitors for rules controversies.

Much of the documentary follows Senna’s rivalry with veteran French driver Alain Prost, his onetime teammate who was dethroned by Senna atop the standings in 1988, when Senna won eight of 16 races. The two shared a clear dislike for each other’s tactics and success.

After winning three Formula One titles in four years, Senna’s success began to wane. He changed teams prior to the 1994 season, and never reached the podium again prior to his tragic death, which itself was the subject of controversy years later.

British director Asif Kapadia (The Return) assembles an impressive amount of archival footage, both of the racing action on the track and behind the scenes. Senna was handsome and charismatic, which made him a natural in front of the television cameras.

The film also uses extensive interviews with Senna’s family and colleagues, as well as various commentators and experts. It keeps the focus largely on the track and doesn’t explore much of Senna’s personal life, but doesn’t suffer dramatically because of that.

American racing fans might note some parallels between Senna’s story and that of NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt, another popular superstar whose death during the prime of his career led to safety advances in the sport.

In the case of both drivers, such a legacy adds a sense of hopefulness to a story in which tragedy overshadows triumph.

Rated PG-13, 104 minutes.