Brains Behind Viral Doc Responds to Heavy Criticism for Painting Villain-Esque Picture of F1 Legend in Debut Project

The rivalry between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost is still among the best teammate vs teammate rivalries F1 has witnessed. The duo won 25 of the 32 races held in the 1988 and 1989 seasons. While their combined dominance was great for the team, they did not necessarily share the ideal teammate relationship. As the documentary on the Brazilian great came out in 2010, Alain Prost came out looking villainous.

The director of the documentary recently worked on another F1-related project. He made a docu-series on the life of F1 mogul Bernie Ecclestone called ‘Lucky!’ The series came out in December 2022. The series has enough to paint Alain Prost in a good light, with Bernie himself praising the Frenchman. Turns out, it was a conscious effort on the director’s part.

Speaking with Motor Sport Magazine, director Manish Pandey said, “All I would say is at the end of Senna we had seven beats of Ayrton Senna and Prost reconciling.”

“I still feel bad that he felt done down. But look at that accident in Suzuka [1990]. There’s no alternative version in the film. Yes, Ayrton was angry, but so what? I don’t think Senna came out well. He looked crazy in those moments, and when Jackie Stewart dismembers him in his interview.”

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Despite being fierce rivals, the duo made peace after Prost retired. Senna even had a beautiful radio message for Alain when he got to know the Frenchman was in the commentary box, covering the race.

Alain Prost does not think there will ever be another rivalry in F1 like his and Ayrton Senna’s

Formula 1 has, ever since Senna and Prost’s era, seen many teammate vs teammate rivalries unfold. Arguably the most recent and fierce is the Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg rivalry. While Hamilton won 2 championships during their time together, Rosberg got on over in 2016 and retired. Alain, however, believes these are more “sophisticated” times.

Speaking with La Repubblica in 2020, he said, “I don’t know if rivalries like mine and Ayrton’s are the same: they are different times, the racing world today is more sophisticated, the environment has changed and relations, even those with the press, are no longer the same.”

“And finally, we have to consider the charisma, the styles, and characters of the drivers.”

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Senna, to this day, despite his sad demise years ago, continues to inspire generations of motorsport racers.