F1 News: Former Driver Showers Ferrari Film With Praise - "True Spirit Of Enzo"
The new 'Ferrari' film, directed by Michael Mann, offers a deep dive into the life of Formula One icon Enzo Ferrari, capturing the essence of his spirit and the pivotal moments of his life in 1957. Martin Brundle from Sky Sports F1 hails the film for embodying the "true spirit" of Enzo Ferrari, praising its authenticity and emotional depth.
Key Takeaways:
- Star-Studded Cast and Direction: 'Ferrari', a Sky original, showcases a powerful performance by Adam Driver as Enzo Ferrari and includes stars like Penelope Cruz and Patrick Dempsey. Michael Mann's direction brings out the essence of 1950s Formula 1, depicting the struggle and crisis Ferrari faced, both professionally and personally.
- The Historical Context of the Mille Miglia: The film revolves around the 1957 Mille Miglia, a dangerous 1,000-mile race across Italy. It highlights the tragic crash involving Ferrari driver Alfonso de Portago, leading to a ban on motor racing on public roads in Italy and underscoring the evolution of safety in motorsports.
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The narrative of the film, set to be released in cinemas on Boxing Day explores the complexities of Ferrari's life, from his tumultuous marriage and personal losses to his relentless passion for racing. The story is further enriched by the portrayal of his relationships with key figures like his wife, Laura, and Lina Lardi, as well as his team of dedicated and daring drivers.
Martin Brundle commented on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast:
"I really enjoyed the movie. There were those lovely lines from Enzo, 'I make cars to go racing, I don't race to sell more cars'.
"Stuff like that, I think got the true spirit of Enzo Ferrari and just the scary nature of doing that race."
The film also serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by drivers in that era. Naomi Schiff, speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, reflects on the bravery required to race under such perilous conditions, highlighting the stark contrast between the safety standards of the past and present. Schiff explained:
"I am quite fortunate that when I was a driver in motorsport, safety has come a long way already.
"I think that was one of the first things, when I saw the drivers getting out of the car when you see that first crash happening. For me, it made me think 'wow, how brave drivers had to really be to jump in those cars'.
"Incredible cars, but the safety wasn't where it is today. It takes some huge courage and bravery to get into cars like that."
