01x03 - Ambition

[bunniefuu]

[atmospheric music playing]

[distant race car engine droning]

{an8}[Galvão] It's the second race
of the season,

{an8}and Senna takes off in his Lotus
in first place.

The rain simply won't let up
here in Estoril.

It's pretty much impossible to drive here.

[French commentator] The rain is pouring
here in Portugal. Conditions...

[Galvão] After switching from Toleman
to Lotus,

Ayrton seems closer and closer
to his first Formula 1 win.

[commentator] The weather conditions
are terrible right now in Estoril.

[French commentator] As the race goes on,

Senna seems closer and closer
to his first win.

Senna's getting closer
to his first victory with every lap.

[Italian commentator] He's about to lap
a backmarker, none other than Niki Lauda,

three-time champion.

[German commentator] He's overtaking
three-time champion Niki Lauda.

[commentator] He's about to lap
the three-time world champion,

the one and only Niki Lauda.

Niki Lauda has to allow the Brazilian...

[Galvão] And he's lapping Niki Lauda.

The three-time champion's
a backmarker today, my friend.

- [French commentator] Keke Rosberg is out!
- [Galvão] And Keke Rosberg is out!

He spun out. Look at that.

[Italian commentator] The awful conditions
have claimed another victim.

[Galvão] At this rate, soon all the cars
will be out of the race.

[race cars rushing in distance]

[commentators chattering faintly]

ESTORIL RACETRACK

This race has to end now.

You know that's
up to the race director to decide.

- Well, I'm sure he could be persuaded.
- [scoffs] To benefit your driver?

Last year, you interrupted Monaco.

The race was abandoned
to Prost's advantage, but now...

Alain lost the championship last year
because of that interruption, Peter.

You know the rules. The winner only gets
half the points in an interrupted race.

Prost wasn't going to win
that race, Balestre.

He wasn't even going to finish it.
He'd have lost the championship anyway.

Have some champagne, Peter.

It's a good show.

- He's lost control.
- [British commentator] Prost spins!

Alain Prost is out of the race

after aquaplaning
and spinning on the main straight,

leaving the track,
and crashing against the guardrail.

The French driver
was doing well in the race

but is now forced to retire,
leaving de Angelis second

and Alboreto in third place.

He comes out of his car,
seems to be all right,

but these terrible conditions
were too much for Prost.

[Ron] Laura.

Thanks, Ron.

[Ron] This is a lost cause.

It's impossible to race under this rain.
It's dangerous too.

Let's see.

[suspenseful music playing]

[Galvão]
Coming for his first Formula 1 win,

the fantastic young Brazilian driver,
Ayrton Senna!

Last year, in Toleman,

his win was taken away
under the Monaco rain,

but not this year.

This year, nothing can stop him.
Not even the rain, my friend!

[commentary overlapping]

[Italian commentator] He overcomes
everyone and wins in Portugal.

[French commentator]
...pole position, fastest lap time,

{an8}with a consistency from start to finish.

{an8}[Italian commentator]
The Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna

{an8}gets his first Formula 1 victory.

Impressive.

Finally found a worthy opponent, Alain.

Promising.

Promising.

Yes! Yes!

Woo-hoo!

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

- Peter!
- Oh!

Only one of the greats
could've won in those conditions,

and you f*cking did it!

- We did it!
- You did it, Ayrton!

- Thank you.
- You did it.

Dad!

Well done, Becão! Congratulations.

This was just the first.
There are more coming to you.

Right.

- [Peter] Ayrton.
- Thank you, Dad. Thanks!

Stay out of trouble, Becão!

[cheering and applause]

[cheering and applause continue on TV]

[mechanic] Hey, Mauro.

- Our Beco is where he wanted to be, right?
- Not yet.

[suspenseful music playing]

[race car engines droning]

[cheering]

{an8}[ticking]

[music fades]

["Just Can't Get Enough"
by Depeche Mode playing]

{an8}[Galvão] Come on, come on, come on.
Pass it, pass it!

{an8}[Galvão] Go, go, go! Get it, get it!

You don't play at all, I'm telling you.

[both laughing]

- No, no, no. No, no, no, no.
- Give the ball.

- Hey, hey, hey, hey.
- ♪ I just can't get enough... ♪

- I'm going for a swim.
- [Galvão] Sure. Give me the ball.

- Hey... Play at all...
- [laughter]

♪ And everything you said ♪

♪ I just can't get enough
I just can't get enough ♪

♪ We slip and slide as we fall in love ♪

♪ And I just can't seem
To get enough of... ♪

- [Galvão] There you go, champ.
- Calm down.

It was just my first win, man.

Well, I'll tell ya,
Niki Lauda's happy with three titles,

so he's about to retire.

Mansell will never be more
than just promising.

The Frenchman will come close,
but he'll be the runner-up again,

and you'll be crowned champion.
Wanna bet, huh?

And what do you know about Formula 1,
Galvão?

Oh, f*ck off. Come on.

[imitating Galvão] "The championship
is just beginning."

"It's one race after another, my friend."

Becão, no one's faster than you
in Formula 1.

Everyone saw what you did here.

You have a championship-winning car, man!
You're at Lotus now, my friend.

We're working on the car,
but we need to improve.

- We're losing grip on the corners...
- Whoa, whoa, sh. Ayrton, wait.

Don't get sidetracked. Come on, look.

Fittipaldi was champion with Lotus in '72.

Now it's your turn
to be a champion in this car.

Hope so.

And I mean... Brazilians could use
something to celebrate, right?

f*ck' hell, we keep getting screwed
every day, my friend.

So, Becão,
just stop being grounded for now.

Let yourself dream a little
and f*ck' fly, will you?

[chuckles]

Trust me.

It's your time now.

♪ I just can't get enough
I just can't get enough ♪

{an8}[song fades out]

{an8}[Balestre] And now we invite to the stage
the 1986 Formula 1 champion,

Alain Prost!

[Balestre] Two-time world champion!

[cameras clicking]

- [Balestre] Bravo.
- [Prost] Thank you.

Is this going to happen every year?

- Wouldn't hurt, I guess.
- [Balestre chuckles]

[Prost] Good evening, everyone.

First, I would like
to thank my team, McLaren,

and the man behind it all, Ron Dennis.

[pensive music playing]

I would also like to thank the Federation

that makes the F1 show possible.

Winning a world championship
two years in a row

is a very big achievement for any team,

and those are the people
I would like to thank.

The pit crew, the race engineer,

all of the people at the McLaren factory
who built this incredible car.

Without them,
we would not be able to race,

let alone win.

This has been a phenomenal year
for Formula 1,

and I am very proud
to be part of this sport.

Thank you.

[applause]

[pensive music continues]

[music fades]

{an8}Hey, Alex.

May I have a cigarette?

You're in luck.
I've already lit one for you.

[Laura] Mm.

No?

Suit yourself.

[mysterious music playing]

No one's interested in me anymore, Laura.

I'm old news.

Well, to be honest,
I was surprised to see you here tonight.

- I only came to see you.
- Mm. Very flattered.

We both know you're only here
for the free bar.

[Alex] Cheers.

[Peter] Ayrton, you'll be unbeatable
this season.

There is no faster combination
than you in a Lotus.

- I only won two races this year.
- Oh, Ayrton...

You finished fourth
in only your third season in Formula 1.

- It's one hell of a result.
- I wanna be first.

[man] Good evening, gentlemen.

{an8}[Senna] Evening.

{an8}I'm excited for our partnership to begin,
Goto-san.

As are we. Absolutely.

{an8}I hope to learn a lot from you, Senna-san.

{an8}Me too, Nakajima-san.

[gentle music playing in background]

All your hard work
bringing Honda to Lotus was worth it.

The Honda engine will make
all the difference to our team.

We already had the best driver,
and now we have the best engine.

But we still don't have the best car.

[tense music playing]

[Alex] Toleman's history.

Benetton'll take charge from now on.

I'm tired of all this.

Toleman had its charms.

And it had Senna.

Chap was quick as lightning,

crazy about winning,
and he had the work ethic of a monk.

Heart and mind together.

But... he had to leave us like that.

[music fades]

Must've been hard finding out secondhand
that he'd signed with Lotus.

Mm.

I heard it from you.

Leaving already?

You always leave too soon.

I don't like parties.

Not as much fun as motor racing, are they?

[tense music resumes]

Come on then.

How was it?
Leaving our greasy garage behind?

You left too, so you tell me.

Oh. I didn't have much choice, did I?

After you left us.

Without warning.

- I had a clause in my contract.
- Bullshit.

You know, I really believed
I could give you a winning car.

I know, Alex.

And I am very thankful
for all your effort.

No hard feelings, then, eh?

No hard feelings?

[Alex] The best driver wants the best car.

That's all part of the game.

[somber music playing]

["Blue Monday" playing]

[Goto] ♪ How does it feel ♪

♪ To treat me like you do? ♪ [laughs]

♪ When you put your arms around me ♪

- ♪ And told me of yourself? ♪
- [audio feedback rings]

♪ And I thought I was mistaken... ♪

Is this a good idea?

♪ And I thought I heard your words ♪

♪ Tell me, how do I feel? ♪

♪ Tell me now, how do I feel? ♪

['80s song playing]

[audio feedback rings]

So... Ron-san and Senna-san,

{an8}what brings you here together?

- [man singing karaoke]
- [feedback ringing]

- We have a proposition.
- [scattered applause]

['80s music continues]

We have a proposition for you.

We do.

I'm sorry. Uh...
I need to choose my next song.

I want to hear the proposition.

I'm going to let Ayrton explain
what we're thinking.

Me and Prost at McLaren,

with the Honda engine.

It's the fastest driver
and the two-time world champion

on the same team.

Best team possible. Guaranteed to win.

Piquet just signed with Lotus.

He's a three-time champion,

and Lotus has our engine.

Honda-san, respectfully,

Lotus is an excellent team,

but even with your engine,

they don't make cars that fight
for the championship anymore.

You know that.

And with drivers like us
fighting for the title on the best team,

you'll have the attention of the press.

[chuckles]

You don't care about the press, Senna-san.

You want to be a champion.

Winning the championship
means the best press for everyone.

Do you sing?

Uh...

Yes.

Now?

["Everybody Wants to Rule the World"
playing]

[both] ♪ Welcome to your life ♪

♪ There's no turning back ♪

♪ Even while we sleep ♪

♪ We will find you ♪

♪ Acting on your best behavior ♪

♪ Turn your back on Mother Nature ♪

♪ Everybody wants to rule the world... ♪

What about Prost?

Will he accept having Senna as teammate?

For a Honda engine?

Absolutely, yes.

♪ It's my own remorse... ♪

[chuckles]

♪ Help me to decide ♪

♪ Help me make the best of freedom ♪

♪ And of pleasure ♪

♪ Nothing ever lasts forever ♪

♪ Everybody wants to rule the world ♪

♪ Say that you'll ♪

♪ Never, never, never, never need it ♪

♪ One headline, why believe it? ♪

♪ Everybody wants to rule the world ♪

{an8}[Prost] He looks good in red, huh?

[song fades]

Is the dream team going to work?

If we lose, I certainly won't be able
to blame the drivers.

[journalist 1] Is there a first
and second driver in McLaren?

[journalist 2] Ayrton!

Ayrton, you've been rivals
for the past four years,

and now you're on the same team.

Not rivals anymore?

- Oh...
- [Senna] Good fun.

We'll have good fun this year.

Oui, oui.

If we fight, uh... maybe we fight,
uh... outside the car, or...

I think it's gonna get
very, very exciting, the championship.

- And...
- [Prost] Is it, uh...

Is it possible to, uh...
to be equal in the championship?

To have a tie, no?

- No.
- Oh, sh*t!

- Can only be one winner.
- [laughter]

[journalist 3] Tell us,
finally, you guys are bonding...

[journalist 4] Gentlemen, a question.
What can be expected from...

- [atmospheric music builds]
- [journalists' questions fade]

[French commentator]
Ayrton Senna started in pole position

and has held the lead since then.

{an8}[Hunt] As far as
the Drivers' Championship is concerned,

{an8}these two are tied with one victory each,
and whoever is the first to eight wins

will become the '88 world champion.

[cameras clicking]

Hi, Viviane.

- Oh, thank you.
- [Ron] Your brother's doing quite well.

{an8}[British commentator] ...second place, while
Senna is a staggering 49 seconds in front.

[Hunt] A masterclass by Senna
here in Monte Carlo.

[Prost] Time to P1?

[Ron] Forty-nine seconds, Alain.

[Galvão] Prost overtakes Berger
and takes second place.

{an8}Senna is 43 seconds ahead.

{an8}Prost knows this is an eternity
in Formula 1,

but he keeps stepping on the gas,
trying to cut the difference.

Prost is P2. P2.

- He's just recorded the fastest lap.
- [Senna] Is he closing in?

He can't catch you.
Just keep your head down.

[Galvão] Senna responds
by completing the fastest lap.

Ayrton, just bring it home.
There's no need to push.

[determined string music playing]

This lap was even faster.

Ayrton, slow down.

There's no need to push.

[music intensifies]

[music continues faintly]

[crowd cheering]

Ayrton's pace is still increasing.

- [Ayrton breathing deeply]
- [crowd cheering]

[British commentator] Senna is
almost a minute ahead of the second place,

but he keeps pushing. [laughs]

Amazing! He's going for every gap!

If he keeps pushing, he's gonna lap Prost.

[British commentator] No one is safe
from being lapped by Senna,

and the next one in line
is his own teammate.

Ayrton, slow down, please.

Slow down. Just slow down.

[echoing] There's no need for this.
Slow down.

Radio check?

Good. It's him.

Ayrton, can you hear me?

[echoing] Slow down, please.

[peaceful music playing]

Ayrton!

[distorted] Slow the f*ck down!

[tires screech]

- [music stops]
- [spectators gasping]

[high-pitched ringing]

[engineer] I need to see those readings
for the last lap.

[Galvão] With only 11 laps
to the end of the race,

and 55 seconds ahead
of the second-place driver,

it was a sure win!

[mournful music playing]

[all chattering]

[cameras clicking]

Ayrton, can you hear me?

Ayrton, can you hear me?

- [cars racing past]
- [cameras clicking]

{an8}[French commentator] Alain Prost
marches home for the win,

the second of the year
for the two-time world champion.

What happened?

You didn't go back to the pits.

I couldn't go back.

What is it?

Yesterday in qualifying...
I had complete control of the car.

I could feel everything all at once.

Very intense.

And today during the race,
I felt the same thing,

but even more intense.

I... I can't explain it.

I... I suddenly felt
like I was in another dimension, you know?

And then the track became like a tunnel,

and all I had to do
was keep going forward and going forward,

pushing faster and pushing faster.

[commentator] The crowd cheers
as racers make their way to the podium.

I was outside my own mind.

Beco, you don't have to be afraid
of what you felt.

But I wasn't afraid.

It was the opposite. It was good.

It was strong.

But then Ron called me on the radio,

and I left that moment.

Everything disappeared, and I crashed.

[commentator] No one doubts the impact
of McLaren's drivers, and...

If I wanna be the champion,
I can't mess up.

"Can't mess up."

That's Miltão talking, Beco.

You're allowed to mess up.

Even you can mess up.

[crowd cheering on TV]

[chuckles softly]

[commentator] Berger advances
to second place with 14 points...

And is it my sister talking

or Dr. Viviane, the psychologist?

[both chuckle]

[Viviane sighs]

[TV commentator chattering in background]

[pleasant mariachi music playing]

SENNA, THE LEAD FOOT OF MONACO

"The maniac of Monaco." I read it.

- The press can be very creative.
- Yeah.

Sometimes the press can be
just like the fans, you know?

You win, they cheer. You lose, they boo.

- And you're different?
- I try to.

- It's for your daughter?
- [Laura chuckles softly]

My bag is full of gifts for my family too.

Nowadays, I barely see my Claire.

Ever since the divorce,
she's been staying more at her dad's.

Sometimes I have to... [chuckles]

...make up.

You were impressive at Monaco.
You were about to lap Prost.

Until I crashed.

- A lack of consistency.
- It's not a matter of consistency.

You dominated Formula Ford, F2000.

You broke the record
for Formula 3 victories.

You worked miracles at Toleman,

but it was like your years at Lotus
fell short, right?

[tense music playing]

You got 16 poles
but only won six races in three years.

Prost won 12 races with three poles
and won two titles.

- Consistency.
- Yeah.

When the car is not good enough,

the driver has to push the limits,
has to use all of his skills,

and Prost has been at McLaren
all these years.

- It's easier to be consistent.
- But now you're also at McLaren.

Sure, you didn't win in Monaco,
because you were unlucky.

Here in Mexico, your car let you down.

The same thing happened
in the first race of the year, in Brazil.

Ayrton, you're the only driver
who can go toe to toe with Prost

under the same conditions.

I don't think there's anything
stopping you from becoming champion.

Or is there?

[music fades]

[Senna] Morning.

Hi.

Everyone!

I want to talk to you a bit.

Um...

It's something I should have said before,
in Mexico.

But I think now's the right time.

In Monaco, I lost points
that didn't just belong to me

but to the whole team, and...

I'm sorry.

I made a big mistake. I know that.

But we are gonna recover those points.

I promise.

[hopeful music playing]

All right.
Plenty to do this morning. Come on.

[team member 1] Thanks for that, Ayrton.

[team member 2] I'm sure
you'll make it up to the team.

[Ron] All right, enough of that.
Get back to work. Come on.

[team member 3] Well said.

[Ron] You know,

you race to win,
and it's no skin off my nose.

When you win, McLaren wins.

I appreciate what you just said.

Show us you mean it.

Did you, uh... tell him maybe
not to try and lap his teammate again?

As long as he brings home the points,
he can lap whoever he likes.

And so can you, Alain.
That's the name of the game.

Let's get to work.

["Ace of Spades" by Motörhead playing]

{an8}[British commentator] Senna is a man
on a mission in the Canadian Grand Prix.

[Hunt] Prost is hardly willing
to make it easy.

[Spanish commentator]
...are absolutely neck and neck.

- [British commentator] Prost moves to...
- [Galvão] Senna pushes on the inside.

[British commentator]
The Brazilian takes the lead.

{an8}[Galvão] Senna overtakes on the hairpin.
A genius move!

{an8}[British commentator]
The second victory for Senna this season.

Alain Prost comes second,

and that's a one-two for McLaren
here in Canada.

{an8}[French commentator] The battle between
the two McLarens is getting rougher.

♪ The ace of spades... ♪

[French commentator]
The French GP is Prost's home race.

[British commentator]
Will Senna be able to snatch victory?

[Spanish commentator] The two drivers
are having an exceptional race.

[Hunt] Prost uses the backmarkers
and overtakes Senna.

That is why they call him the Professor.

{an8}[French commentator] The Frenchman wins.

♪ Seven or 11, snake eyes watching you... ♪

{an8}[Spanish commentator]
It's raining in Silverstone,

{an8}and Ayrton Senna continues to show off
his skills on the wet pavement.

Once again,
Senna is having a sensational race.

[Hunt] Pouring here in Silverstone,
which is clearly not a problem for Senna,

who's already inched closer
to the backmarker Alain Prost.

[Galvão] Look at that! Senna continues
to go all out to lap his teammate.

And he is lapped!

I wonder what's going on
through Alain Prost's head right now!

[Hunt] And I wonder what's going on
in Ron Dennis's head right now.

{an8}[British commentator] That's it. One more
for Senna, the brilliant Brazilian.

{an8}Race by race, the two McLaren drivers

{an8}are putting up a fight for the ages
in the 1988...

{an8}[Spanish commentator] The Hungaroring
is the new stage

for the championship battle
between Senna and Prost.

- [British commentator] Senna in the lead!
- [Galvão] Prost is going after Ayrton!

[British commentator]
Sparks flying this season.

An unbelievable rivalry.

It won't be easy for Prost
with such a tough competitor like Senna.

Prost tries to make a move.
He gets the inside line.

Senna can't do much to defend here.
Let's see what happens.

[excitable shouting]

[Galvão] The Frenchman takes the lead,
but he's gone deep.

Look at Senna. Look at Senna!

[Hunt] If Prost doesn't bring his A game
to the table,

{an8}he won't be able to beat Senna.
The chap is driving perfectly.

{an8}[Galvão] Ayrton Senna wins another one
in Belgium.

{an8}♪ The ace of spades... ♪

{an8}[British commentator] The Brazilian driver
is now only one victory away

from his dream of becoming world champion.

[crowd cheering]

[cheers] Ah!

Ron!

- [Ron] Seven wins. Fantastic!
- Our team is fantastic. Thank you.

One more. One more win,
and you'll be world champion.

- [optimistic music playing]
- [cameras clicking]

[all cheering]

Whoo!

- Alain, can we get a statement, please?
- Alain, is the championship over for you?

Do you still have a chance
to beat your rival, Alain?

Alain, you previously said
that Senna had a promising driving career.

And was I wrong?

There's five races left.
He only needs to win one to get the title.

- How do you respond to this?
- Respond? Uh...

Well, I've had, uh... several problems
with the car this year, which is, um...

I mean, it's strange, and, uh...
well, Ayrton did a great job.

He wins, uh,
seven of 11 races so far, and, uh...

Bon... I'm not stupid, you know?

I'm very far behind, so...

The way I see it,
if Ayrton doesn't win this year...

[journalist] Alain!

[journalists clamoring]

{an8}[somber cello music playing]

POLE POS - WINNER

{an8}GERMANY - HUNGARY
BELGIUM - ITALY

{an8}PORTUGAL - SPAIN
JAPAN - AUSTRALIA

[music fades]

[Galvão] Ayrton has missed his shot
at the title once again.

Prost won the 14th race of the season,

the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez.

The French driver
still has a shot at the title.

He just needs to win
the next two races at Suzu...

The Brazilian constitution
starts with the words,

"All power comes from the people,
and with the people..."

- [phone ringing]
- [TV turns off]

- Hello?
- [Senna] Hi, Mom.

Oh, hi, son. How are you?

- I'm fine, and you guys?
- We're good.

- Are you still in Spain?
- Yeah.

Did you watch the race?

Of course. We always do.

It wasn't my best, right?

Aw, Beco.

Sometimes things just don't work out.

I miss you guys. All of you.

We miss you too, sweetie, so much.

- Is Milton there?
- He's sleeping already.

By the way,
it's very late there, isn't it?

Yeah.

- Want me to wake your father up?
- No, don't worry, Mom.

He told you that we won't be able
to fly to Suzuka, right?

Yeah. He did.

Beco, do you need anything?

Don't worry, Mom. I'm all right, okay?

- I'm fine.
- Son.

I know for sure that you will be champion.

But I could talk to your dad,
get a flight to...

No, no need, Mom. I mean it.
Everything's fine here.

You don't need to carry so much weight
on your shoulders, Beco.

You're too hard on yourself.

I know.

It's just that I only need
to win one more race to become champion.

Just one more race, but...

I don't know, I just can't.

I remember that little boy
who was so eager to drive his kart.

That tiny little guy who eventually
got too big for those karts.

You got angry. You frowned
whenever you didn't win, sweetie.

But you went back to racing
whenever you could

because racing's your passion, Beco.

Winning's just a consequence.

I love you, Mom.

I love you too, baby boy.

[determined music playing]

Welcome home!

Still teaching?

Still learning?

I remember when you turned up.

A little brat who barely spoke any English

but gave it all that
when it came to karting.

Left-handed, annoying.

Handling the carburetor
without losing control of the kart.

It was 1978.

- How old were you?
- Eighteen.

And 14 years already racing go-karts.

And look where that little brat is now.

A Formula 1 world champion.

I'm not a champion yet.

Nah... I know you.

You just need a gap, and you'll take it.

I've seen you make 'em out of thin air.

You were a pain in the arse.

You had to win every race.

You fought for every position,
every corner.

Bloody hell, you were fast.

Do you know how we win
against someone who's faster than us?

By getting in their head.

Do you remember our first race?
First time it was me against you?

Le Mans? Uh... Jesolo.

Of course I remember.
You made me make the mistake.

You can't go full brake to full throttle!
Take it easy!

This year in Monaco, before I crashed,

something strange but incredible happened.

I raced some laps like I was in a tunnel.

A tunnel in my mind.

I was driving by instinct.

It was just me and the car.

Pure racing. Like when I was racing karts.

[Terry] Formula 1 is a business.

Except for a couple of hours on a Sunday.

This is what really matters.

You know, when they ask me
who was my greatest rival on the track,

I always answer the same. You.

No doubt about that.

[both laugh]

[Terry] Oh God!

You need to trail brake in the corner!

[gentle music playing]

[tense music playing]

- Congratulations on the pole, Ayrton.
- Thank you.

You know, one year ago,

Ron came to me, right here, on this spot.

"Alain, what do you think about Ayrton?"

I said you were fast.

- Hmm.
- But too ambitious.

I didn't think you'd be
a good second driver.

In Monaco, you proved me right.

Good luck today, huh? Really.

I think it could be your last chance
to win the championship this year.

Well... there's Adelaide, but, uh,

look at the records.

In Australia, I usually get lucky.

[agitated music playing]

- [music fades]
- [alarm clock blaring]

{an8}[Galvão] Stakes are very high
at the Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix.

{an8}Today, Ayrton Senna has to do
what he couldn't in Portugal or Spain.

He has to beat the Frenchman Alain Prost.

The championship,
which seemed to be in the bag

after a spectacular run of wins
by the Brazilian,

is now heading
for a very complicated finish.

Senna has one more shot at becoming
champion this afternoon in Japan,

which is early morning in Brazil.

The McLarens, which have won


take up the first row.

This may be the race that gives
the polesitter, Ayrton Senna, the title!

After four years
of battling for the title,

of fighting his way onto one
of the strongest teams on the grid

with cars that left something to be...

Look, it's Marcelo.

[Galvão] He now has the opportunity
to achieve glory

by becoming the 1988 World Champion.

As Ayrton Senna finishes his practice lap
and pulls into position,

one can only assume he's visualizing...

Don't you wanna sleep some more, son?
It's late.

No, Daddy.

[Galvão] The formation lap is over,
the starting grid almost set,

and the drivers are raring to go.

In just a few moments,
the 15th round of the championship...

Guess which little boy
is refusing to sleep.

[man] Look at that. It's late, Bruno.

Just for a bit.

[Viviane] You can stay, son. It's okay.

[Galvão] ...edge of their seats
waiting for the green light.

The cars are in position.
Here come the red lights.

The 1988 Japanese Grand Prix
is about to start!

[engines revving]

[excited chatter]

[revving and chatter dulls]

[expectant music playing]

[revving resumes]

[revving dulls]

[revving disappears]

[revving resumes]

[Galvão] It's the green light!
Prost shot up ahead.

Let see what Ayrton does.

- Look at that!
- [Senna] Hey!

[Galvão] Prost takes the lead
as Ayrton's car stalls!

A rough start for Senna.

Ayrton Senna's been left behind.

[British commentator]
Ayrton Senna is losing every...

Start the bloody engine.

[French commentator] He's losing positions
and above all,

the chance to become a world champion.

[Galvão] He's on the move!
Ayrton steps on the gas.

Senna is still in this race.

Oh my God.

It'll be hard to win the race now.
He's gonna need a miracle.

[Hunt] Ayrton's championship
looked like a formality,

but increasingly it looks
like becoming a distant dream.

[Italian commentator]
He's stuck in a terrible...

[Galvão] Prost has the lead, but Senna
has already gone up one position.

He's right behind Gugelmin.

[French commentator]
He has to perform a miracle here

to have a chance
of becoming world champion.

[Galvão] Ayrton Senna
has a mountain to climb.

[British commentator] ...the hardest
challenge Senna has faced this season.

This would be an impossible recovery.

[Spanish commentator]
...praying for Ayrton Senna's comeback.

[tires screeching]

Galvão, I've just been told that Ayrton
overtook both Gugelmin and De Cesaris

at the same time.

He's flying.

[Galvão] Let's see if we're able
to get that footage.

- Come on, show me my son.
- Calm down, Milton.

{an8}[Galvão] Look at Senna!
After a lap, he's already in eighth place!

And he begins
to pressure Riccardo Patrese.

He finished the first lap in eighth,

and Ayrton Senna
is trying to overtake again.

Senna overtakes Patrese.

- The Brazilian driver is flying...
- Yeah!

- That's it.
- Keep pushing.

[Galvão] Look at Capelli.

He's making Prost's life harder
at the front.

The forecast is for rain in Suzuka.
If it rains, everything could change.

[Italian commentator]
Senna has Nannini in his sights.

[Hunt] Senna has a chance
of winning today.

- [Galvão] Senna overtakes Nannini.
- He did it. We're up another position.

[British commentator]
Senna's overtaken Boutsen

and is now about to pounce at Alboreto.

And he gains another position. Amazing!

Bloody hell, he's still fast.

[Hunt] Senna is in full throttle
right now,

and if the forecast is correct,
we're going to have rain soon,

and no one masters the wet better
than Senna.

[in Spanish] It just started to rain.

[in English] Anything can happen
here today in Suzuka.

[Reginaldo] It's started to rain.
That could be a game changer.

It's starting to drizzle, James.

[in French]
The first raindrops are falling.

[Galvão] Imagine what's going
through the Frenchman's head right now,

knowing that Ayrton's giving it his all
to make up for the shortfall.

The rain doesn't slow the Brazilian down
in the slightest.

Senna wants Prost,
and he'll run over anyone who...

Senna keeps climbing upward!

[Italian commentator] He must be thinking
about how far he is from Prost,

who's in first place.

[British commentator] The Brazilian is
getting one second off the other drivers.

There's never been a comeback like this
in the history of Formula 1, Galvão.

If he overtakes Capelli,
he'll already be in second place.

[Reginaldo] He'll be two seconds
behind Prost.

[British commentator] One of a kind,
and it shows once again here in Japan.

[Galvão] He keeps finding space
where there is none. Ayrton Senna!

Pedal to the metal.
He's gonna try to overtake!

Ayrton overtakes!
His title dreams may come true!

Now it's one on one, my friend.

Now it's McLaren versus McLaren.

[Reginaldo] The rain is subsiding
here in Suzuka.

Ayrton, you're P2. You're already P2.

[Senna] Time to P1?



Alain, Senna is P2. Senna is P2.

[Prost] f*ck.

[Galvão] The title's on the line.

The cheering's getting louder and louder
in the stands.

Senna's already putting pressure on Prost.

He's looking for a gap
to overtake the leader of the race.

He wants to take first place. It's time.

It's Senna versus Prost.

The Brazilian's looking
for the right moment to overtake him.

He moves towards the outside.
He's attempting to take the lead.

Senna goes deep on the chicane.

He loses his braking point
trying to overtake and almost drifts away.

- He stays on but just...
- Prost widens the gap.

Ayrton Senna's gonna have to try that
all over again.

The backmarkers aren't making
the Frenchman's life any easier.

Senna's drawing close once again.

After being stalled at the start
and an absolutely amazing recovery,

he's caught up to his teammate
and rival for the title, Alain Prost!

But catching up is one thing.
Overtaking is another,

and the Brazilian needs to overtake
in order to become the world champion.

Prost struggles getting in straight.
This may be Senna's gap.

[frantic string music playing]

Go for it, Beco.

There goes Ayrton. He's about to attack!

[French commentator] He defends himself.
The two McLarens push for the finish line,

but Alain Prost is held up.

[cheering]

[Galvão] Senna overtakes
two-time champion Alain Prost!

It's absolutely amazing
what he's doing here in Suzuka.

- This really is a drive for the ages.
- [Spanish commentator] Senna is first.

He overtakes Prost
in an incredible maneuver.

[Galvão] Senna has made
the impossible possible.

He kept believing to the very end
with the strength of our fans!

Now it's at his fingertips.

[Italian commentator] What Ayrton Senna
just did is absolutely unprecedented.

[French commentator] Historic race
from one of the world's greatest drivers.

[Galvão] Absolutely phenomenal,
Ayrton Senna!

He's now eleven seconds
ahead of his teammate Prost,

who's in second place.

Ayrton's coming in for the win.
He's making his dream come true.

A dream Ayrton has had from the beginning,
since his karting days.

A young boy's dream.

The entire nation is waiting to see
another Brazilian become world champion

in his debut year at McLaren.

He overcame his teammate,
a two-time world champion.

Come get your first title, Senna!
Show it to the world!

Ayrton! Ayrton Senna of Brazil!

The newly crowned


Ayrton Senna was fantastic!
An absolute phenomenon!

The Formula 1 title is ours.

[Senna exclaiming]

I did it! Champion!

Ah!

I'm the champion!

[buoyant music playing]

[crowd roaring]

All that midnight oil you burned
with Ayrton, was it worth it?

Every second, Ron. Every second.

[laughter]

[cheering]

Yeah! He's champion!

[Zaza laughing]

He's a champion!

- [Prost] Congratulations, champion.
- Thank you, Alain.

[Brazilian national anthem playing on TV]

[triumphant music playing]

[journalists clamoring]

[journalist 1, in Italian] Ayrton,
how does it feel to be the world champion?

[journalist 2, in English]
How do you feel?

[journalist 3]...problem at the start?
Senna! Is this your best race win ever?

[Laura] Ayrton! Can I have a word?

Toleman, Lotus, McLaren.

Took you four years to get here.
Was it worth it?

[pensive music playing]

Ah...

It wasn't just four years.

It was... a lifetime.

My whole life dedicated to motorsport.

And I really, uh...

was able to fill that space

that, uh... empty space in me.

That desire, the need for victory. Uh...

It was a moment. It was amazing.

After achieving the main goal
you've had your entire life,

what's next for you now?

I guess I'm only 28 years old.

I have, uh... my whole life ahead of me.

I still have so much to learn in life

and to offer

to everyone who was a part,
everyone who is a part of my life.

There's still lots of stuff to give

to the world
and to... to share with everyone else.

And on your journey here,
do you feel like there's still something

you owe to someone?

If...

[emotional music playing]

If I owe anyone, it's probably myself.

I have...

always been really hard on myself.

I sacrificed a lot of myself.

So I want to...

make up...

compensate for all that from now on.

That's your thing, isn't it?
Raising the flag.

The colors on your helmet...

You have a very strong relationship
with Brazil, don't you?

Ah...

Brazil is... is my home.

My people.

[cheering and applause]

THE BEST RACING DRIVER IN THE WORLD

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU

[triumphant music playing]

There's lots of bad things in Brazil,

lots of poverty,
so much to improve there, but...

it's my homeland.

[cameras clicking]

[music fades]

What about the '89 season?

- Thank you.
- [journalist] Ayrton!

It's been a tough year for you,
but you're the world champion.

How does it feel?

[journalist, in Italian] How does it feel?

[journalists clamoring]

[triumphant music playing]

[fans clamoring]

- [fan 1] Over here!
- Thank you. Appreciate it.

Thank you. Thanks.

{an8}[fan 1] Xuxa, over here!
Can I have your autograph?

{an8}Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thanks.

[triumphant music continues]

[music fades]

[dramatic string music playing]

[engines droning]

[mysterious piano music playing]

[tense string music playing]

[music fades]

[playful string music playing]

[eerie music playing]

[suspenseful music playing]

[tense music playing]

[discordant chord plays]

[music fades]