Alain Prost criticizes the series “Senna” on Netflix: The Legacy of Senna or the Pursuit of Sensationalism

On November 29, 2024, Netflix launched its six-episode series dedicated to Ayrton Senna, tracing his life, his rise in the world of F1, and his tragic disappearance during the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola in 1994. The project, which involved the active participation of the Senna family, chose to dramatize certain aspects of the driver’s life. Alain Prost, who shared an intense rivalry with Senna during the 1980s and 1990s, quickly reacted after the series aired.

In his comments reported by RAC Motori, Prost did not mince his words: “I’m sure Ayrton wouldn’t have liked that, if only because it shows a lack of sensitivity,” he said. For him, the series seems to be more concerned with seeking sensationalism than with seeking historical truth. The French driver denounces a fiction that, according to him, does not reflect the authentic relationship he had with Senna, particularly the friendship they developed before the tragedy at Imola.

“It’s a beautiful story and we shouldn’t tell things that weren’t true from nothing,” he continues. A feeling of frustration that resonates with his criticism of the 2010 documentary film “Senna,” which was also praised by critics but which Prost deemed misleading: “I feel resentment towards the film that was made. It was false,” he had explained at the time.

The Forgotten Friendship Between Prost and Senna

Prost mainly laments the way the series and the film chose to simplify the complex nature of his relationship with Senna. The rivalry between the two drivers is heavily emphasized, while the friendly dimension that had developed between them before the tragedy seems ignored. Prost recalls those moments when Senna, despite being one of his greatest rivals, would regularly call him to talk, sometimes for nothing, sometimes for advice. « Ayrton started talking to me. He would call me at least once or twice a week. Sometimes for nothing, sometimes for advice. » He adds: « It lasted six months until Imola. We became friends, we got closer. It’s a new period that I would never have imagined before. I have an incredible memory of it. »

For Prost, this period of rapprochement is a crucial part of the history of their relationship, which has not been properly explored in the series. The portrayal of their story seems reductive and one-sided, turning their connection into a mere rivalry rather than a complex and nuanced human relationship.

Senna’s Legacy: Between Commercial Exploitation and Sincere Tribute

Prost’s critics highlight a broader issue regarding how Senna’s legacy is now being handled. The adaptation of his life to television and film, whether it’s the Senna series or the 2010 documentary, raises the question of whether these productions are driven by a genuine desire to honor the man and the driver or if they are primarily focused on producing entertaining content for commercial purposes.

The growing popularity of Formula 1, largely driven by series like “Drive to Survive” on Netflix, has blurred the line between historical truth and entertainment. In this context, Prost questions: « If you have to do something commercial, it’s not pleasant to do it in Senna’s name. I don’t like it and I don’t accept it. » For him, this shift towards a more dramatic and sensationalist portrayal of Senna’s life does not honor the integrity of the memory of his former rival. In this light, one of Prost’s key statements in the interview resonates even more: « If it’s not the truth, it’s not worthy of Senna’s name. »