A feature-length film entitled 'Heroes' devoted to the life stories of four racing legends is set to be released in July, during the run-up to the British Grand Prix.
Written and directed by Manish Pandey, who wrote the famed 2010 Senna documentary, 'Heroes' brings together drivers from various horizons who gather one evening around a table in a quaint English countryside atmosphere.
Two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen, former Ferrari F1 driver Felipe Massa, nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen and World Rally winner Michèle Mouton reminisce and look back on the high and low points of their sporting careers.
"I wanted to get racers of different ages and disciplines together but in a location that was out of their comfort zone," says Pandey.
"When you dig down into these characters, you discover – no matter what their background is – how much they have in common."
Indeed, the quartet of racers often converge when they recount their passion but also their hardship or tragedies.
But the other common backdrop for the group, which Pandey cleverly inserts, is a fifth legendary driver with whom each became well acquainted over the course of their respective careers: Michael Schumacher.
"It became clear with the drivers we had that while they would tell the stories of their lives, they would also be able to shine a little light on different facets of Michael," explains Pandey.
"All four of them have Michael in common and I wanted him to be the fifth story.
"In the years since his skiing accident I've begun to appreciate the immensity of what he achieved on the track and the absolute love that surrounded him – especially at Ferrari."
Pandey was given access by Liberty Media to rare F1 archival footage, including unseen footage of Hakkinen first win at Jerez in 1997 or Massa's heartbreaking loss of the F1 world championship on the last lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos in 2008.
"Movie-making is very technical and there is always a formula," Pandey adds;
"There are three acts. After a short setup where you're introduced to the characters, suddenly there is a twist.
"That sets you up for the next journey in the film before the final act, which is where everything changes.
"There are techniques you can deploy. However, documentary film-makers have a responsibility when they tell the story of a living or deceased person because it needs to be the truth."
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