Upon hearing that there was going to be a Formula 1 docuseries headed by Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves, I was immediately intrigued. Netflix’s Drive to Survive was how I became a fan of the sport, so I was interested to see how this docuseries would compare to that of Netflix.
Compelling storylines are what make a sport, and the story of Brawn GP has to be one of the most compelling stories in modern Formula 1 history. Every F1 fan will tell you that a Formula 1 team being sold for £1 and subsequently going on to win the championship the same year is something that had ever happened before and likely will ever happen again. In the words of former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo, “Brawn was one of the miracles”.
The miracle of Brawn GP was shaped by the consequences of the 2008 financial crisis. The first episode begins by telling the story of how the Honda team were developing their 2009 car, with an innovative “double diffuser” concept, when the Japanese-based team was forced to withdraw from Formula 1 due to financial constrain. In normal circumstances, this would signify the end of the car development and mass redundancy for Honda employees. However, then-Honda team principal Ross Brawn was able to buy the team from Honda for £1, changing its name to Brawn GP whilst retaining the car. This car would then go on to dominate the 2009 season, winning both the 2009 constructors’ championship and drivers championship with Jenson Button.
Throughout the docuseries, multiple stories are explored, including the other teams trying to ban the “double diffuser” as well as the conflict between F1’s governing authority, the FIA, and the Formula 1 teams. Although these aspects of the season are interesting to a Formula 1 fan, I could see how they could become repetitive for a non-fan, and it felt as if the 4-part docuseries was attempting to balance too many stories, instead of prioritising the most important ones and developing them adequately.
Having said this, one of the aspects of the series was its balanced perspectives of the season. As to be expected, Brawn as well as Brawn GP drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello feature extensively throughout. However, the series also incorporates the perspectives of Brawn GP’s rivals, such as former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. Montezemolo in particular was one of the standout characters of the series, with his candour and albeit bitterness towards his former employee, Brawn.
Reeves’ kind-natured approach to interviews was essential to constructing the feel-good, success story of Brawn GP. Although it could be frustrating at times to see that he had not interrogated his interviewees further, his approach allowed us to see the more personal side of the sport, which is often restricted from public view. This includes a particularly touching moment between Reeves and Jenson Button where the British driver recalls his conversation with his late father John Button before the championship-deciding race of the season.
While it is clear that the docuseries is aimed at newer fans of the sport, the new Disney+ show is still able to capture the emotive essence of Formula 1 that will attract even the fans who know everything there is to know.
“FIA F1 Austria 2023 Nr. 16 (1)” by Lukas Raich is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.