Latest news with #Senna
Spectator
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Spectator
The wit and beauty of bank notes
William Shakespeare was the first to feature, in 1970. Alan Turing was most recent, in 2021. But the Bank of England is now asking whether anyone else should appear, ever. The Bank's redesigning our bank notes and wants the public's thoughts on replacing the famous people who currently grace them with buildings, animals, films, historical events or even food. However the redesign ends up, let's hope the notes continue to display the wit and beauty they've traditionally had. The Churchill fiver, for instance. Look closely and you'll see that Big Ben stands at 3 p.m., the hour that Winston made his first speech to the Commons as Prime Minister. One of the security measures on Jane Austen's tenner (she's the latest person to replace Shakespeare on that note) is a quill that changes from purple to orange as you tilt it. The clear window on J.M.W. Turner's £20 is the shape of the fountains in Trafalgar Square, referencing 'The Fighting Temeraire'. And Alan Turing's birthday on the £50 is shown in binary, that being the way that his (indeed all) computers count. As it happens, every member of the quartet either died at 41 (Austen, Turing) or has been played on screen by Timothy Spall (Churchill, Turner). The same wit is shown by the public who use the notes. The £10 note is sometimes known as an Ayrton (Senna), while the smallest denomination's nickname of Lady Godiva led to City boys calling £15 a Commodore, as it was three times a lady. The Rainbow vegetarian café in Cambridge was less amused, however, when the plastic fiver was introduced in 2016. They refused to take it, as it contains traces of tallow. Blind people tell which note they're holding by raised dots in the top left corner (the fiver has none, the £10 two, the £20 three and the £50 four). Another clue is that the notes get bigger as you go through the values, unlike in the US where they're all the same size. The young Ray Charles insisted on being paid entirely in single dollar bills, to prevent cheating. Eric Clapton used to snort his drugs through rolled-up £20 notes, which he would then throw away. His gardener Arthur Eggby would retrieve them, dust them off and spend them on his holidays on the Isle of Wight. Meanwhile when Elton John played in the Soviet Union in 1979, he was paid £4,000 in notes so old that they had to be taken to the Bank of England to be changed for new ones. This is a service the Bank provides for anyone, and there's no time limit. Old notes used to be burned at the Essex factory that prints new ones, supplementing the site's heating. Until 1853 each note was personally signed by one of the Bank's cashiers. The monarch, who you might have thought had always been on them, has only appeared since 1960, meaning Elizabeth II was the first to see her own likeness. As if to celebrate the fact, she always carried a fiver (very occasionally a tenner) in her handbag, ready for next week's church collection. The note was ironed by a butler into a little square, folded so that you could only see the Queen's face.
Daily Maverick
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Maverick
F1: The Movie brings high-speed thrills to the big screen
F1: The Movie makes for a thrilling watch that will have fans on the edge of their seats. As for the plot? It could have done with a serious shift in gear. Formula 1 is at the top of its game. The sport has a global fan base of 826.5 million, superstar drivers and countries often vying for a place on its annual calendar – it commands worldwide attention. Formula 1's long and storied history has been both documented and fictionalised in films such as Rush, Senna, Ferrari, Schumacher, Netflix's Drive to Survive and now, F1: The Movie. With the championship in its 75th year, there is arguably no better time to capitalise on its hype than now. The film follows racing driver Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), who is convinced to return to Formula 1 with the struggling APXGP F1 Team on the brink of being sold. He is partnered with rookie driver Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), whom he is encouraged to mentor and pass down his years of racing knowledge to – but the pair immediately clash, not only on the track but also in the garage, where tensions are high and neither is used to coming second. The production worked hard to make this a real blockbuster. Seven-time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton was brought in as a producer for the film, and his expertise was aimed at making this the 'most authentic racing movie that's ever been made'. Chassis from Formula 2 vehicles were built up to look like Formula 1 cars, and filmmakers worked with the Mercedes F1 team to build custom bodywork according to real-world regulations. Cameras were then built into the models at 16 different places, giving viewers gripping perspectives of racing not seen before. 'It was a machine built for shooting a Formula 1 movie – completely custom, but a real race car at the heart of it,' director Joseph Kosinski told the F1 Explains podcast. Filming took place over two years at real race weekends and circuits including Silverstone, Spa and Yas Marina, and alongside real Formula 1 drivers on the grid, in the paddock, on the podium and on the track. The results are spectacular visuals that truly capture the spectacle and sheer magnitude of the sport. The audience is treated to shots of wide, open skies above hundreds of thousands of fans, the roar of the crowd rising up from the grandstands, the smoke of flares coloured in Ferrari red and Dutch orange. We ride onboard through every sweeping corner of the racetrack, and feel the pure speed when the pedal hits metal. There are heart-in-throat moments as drivers fight for position, the thrill when they win a tussle and shock when they crash out with sickening crunches of carbon fibre meeting barrier. This is undoubtedly a technically stunning film. However, the movie's push for authenticity is also what lets it down in many places. To be clear, there is a lot one could nitpick here, especially for a passionate F1 fan: there are moments where remaining faithful to regulations and rules of engagement has been abandoned in favour of drama and suspense, and that is to be expected in any Hollywood film. But the decision to film alongside real race teams and drivers blurs the lines between fact and fiction, and can take the viewer out of the experience when paired with the unrealistic moments mentioned above. It also lets the plot down: of course, Formula 1 drivers are not actors, and they aren't expected to be. This results in very little tension in the racing scenes, as viewers cannot be introduced to the rivalry between competitors that is fundamental to the sport and, by extension, any racing movie. One can forgive this lack of developed secondary characters due to the filmmakers' deliberate choice to favour authenticity. However, there isn't much character development for the stars of the film, either. Pitt plays a charismatic and driven driver who has been at the heights of racing fame and fallen to its lowest lows. He is a complicated character who takes massive risks, on and off the track, yet his motivations for being a driver remain elusive. Sonny will eventually admit that he is 'chasing that moment of peace… where everything goes quiet' and he is one with the car, but outside of that one line of script, viewers will be hard-pressed to understand what makes him want to be a racing driver. Joshua Pearce's story is similarly surface-level. Sonny's rookie teammate is portrayed as young and cocky, and while he undergoes some personal development in the course of the film, his storyline never digs deep into his passions, desires or drives. In one scene, he does point out that he had to work 'twice as hard' as other drivers to get to where he is, but the film does not explore that further, which is a shame. There are no other Black men other than Hamilton on the grid, in the film or in the real world, and filmmakers missed an opportunity to present multidimensional, passionate racers of colour – something that has been woefully overlooked in the media for years. Kerry Condon, who plays the team's technical director, Kate McKenna, is also a victim of poor writing. To prepare for her role, Condon worked with former Formula 1 strategists Bernie Collins and Ruth Buscombe – both women who have been instrumental in proving that motorsport is not just a man's game. Unfortunately, Kate is reduced to Sonny's love interest who is only capable of building a fast car once he starts working with her. Other female characters don't fare too well either. Jodie (Callie Cooke), a pit crew mechanic and one of the only team members to have a speaking role, is repeatedly presented as out of her depth as she fumbles around the garage, bumping into drivers and misplacing equipment. Simone Ashley, who spent the past year promoting the film, was cut from the final product almost entirely. Again, filmmakers had an opportunity to break down the stigma around who belongs in racing, and it is a shame that Kate and Jodie were not allowed to shine as smart, strong women in motorsport in their own right. This film brings Formula 1 to the masses, yet it lets a core demographic down by reducing women to stereotypes that women like Collins and Buscombe have been working to dismantle. Ultimately, followers of the sport may leave the cinema disappointed for valid reasons. At the same time, there is a lot the movie gets right. The excitement of fans is tangible, the pure speed is exhilarating, the racing is gritty and dramatic. These are things that make the sport so special. DM
Man of Many
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Man of Many
11 Best Formula 1 Movies To Watch After Checking Out ‘F1: The Movie'
You've seen Brad Pitt's latest triumph – the surprisingly-good love letter to the race track, F1: The Movie – and you've decided you want more. Or maybe you've watched everything Drive to Survive has to offer, and your thirst has not been sated. I have good news: you've come to the right place, because not only do we have a list of incredible F1 documentaries and biopics for you to dive into, you're going to understand the history of the sport far better at the end of this binge. Here, we've pulled together 11 high-octane films to showcase the best of the best: from the founding of track favourite Ferrari, to deep dives into some of the most famous moments in the sport's history. We've got a need for speed, so lets cut to the chase: here's the 11 Best Formula 1 Movies to Watch. The Best Formula 1 Movies 1. Senna Release Date: October 8, 2010 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 46m IMDb Rating: 8.5 Director: Asif Kapadia Telling the story of one of the greats of the game, Senna follows the life and 10-year career of Brazilian world champion Ayrton Senna. During his decade on the track, Senna won the world championship three times, fostered a heated rivalry with France's Alain Prost, and made waves in the sport due to his outspoken frustrations with the mechanisms of the Formula 1 racing league. Senna tragically died on the track in what has become known as one of the bleakest races in F1 history, after a mechanical failure led his car to hit a concrete barrier while he was leading the 2004 San Marino Grand Prix. It's an awful story, but one that led to significant safety revisions in the sport which has made it far safer for every racer that trailed in his wake. The film is entirely made up of archival footage, with no interviews or talking heads: instead, you're simply seeing the reality of what happened through Senna's career, as well as footage of the man himself talking through his thought process and approach to racing. 2. Truth in 24 Release Date: October 25, 2008 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 35m IMDb Rating: 8.1 Director: Keith Crossrow, Bennett Viseltear Narrated by The Transporter himself Jason Stratham, Truth in 24 chronicles Audi Sport's efforts to take its fifth W at famous endurance race '24 Hours of Le Mans' in 2008 – a race in which victory is assumed by driving the longest distance in a single car during a 24-hour period. The film follows Audi racers Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish and Dindo Capello as they prepare for the race, as well as their time in the drivers seat. Each driver takes charge of the car for over two hours before swapping out to a teammate, meaning the trio behind the wheel need to be in perfect sync to avoid any delay getting the vehicle back on the track. You'd think a film about a hot, sweaty endurance race would be a slog, but it's actually an incredibly interesting and poignant look at the lives of the men on the track, as well as the sheer hell they regularly put their bodies through. 3. Rush Release Date: September 13, 2013 Genre: Docudrama Runtime: 2h 3m IMDb Rating: 8.1 Director: Ron Howard Focusing on star drivers James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl), Rush is a mile-a-minute dramatisation of one of the sports' most heated on-track rivalries. The pair operated throughout the 70's, and were championed as two of the most impressive drivers on the track: if not one another's complete opposite. The deeply focused Lauda, racing for Ferrari, and the brash and confident Hunt, racing for McLaren, dominate the screen, and Rush delivers a very human tale in what can sometimes be a very mechanical sport. Hemsworth and Brühl are incredible in their respective roles, and obviously the racing is stellar. If you're after something closely mirroring the recent F1 film, but a bit more grounded in reality (it's still dramatised, after all), Rush is it. If you want a more accurate historical retelling of the relationship between the pair of drivers, check out number seven on the list. 4. Williams Release Date: August 4, 2017 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 49m IMDb Rating: 7.6 Director: Morgan Matthews Williams Racing has been an integral part of the F1 grid for decades, and Williams charts the beginning of its story. The film follows the rise of Williams' founder and namesake, Frank Williams, as he builds the team around himself before, tragically, a near-fatal crash leaves him wheelchair bound. Rather than collapse, the Williams family rallies around Frank and cements the team as a force to be reckoned with. Using a mix of archival footage—in some cases never before seen—and interviews with key players in the Williams story, Williams shows a candid and honest portrait of the namesake family's guts, tenacity, and sheer willpower. It's inspiring in all the right ways. 5. Weekend of a Champion Release Date: December 18, 2013 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 33m IMDb Rating: 7.5 Director: Frank Simon A re-edited version of the 1972 original (which was never publicly released save for a brief theatrical release in Europe), Weekend of a Champion follows controversial filmmaker Roman Polanski as he spends a weekend with world champion racer Jackie Stewart. Not just any weekend, though: the weekend of the 1971 Monaco Grand Prix. What emerges is a touching, incredibly rare look behind the scenes of one of the biggest races in the world—especially at a time before the sport opened up its doors to the likes of Netflix's Drive to Survive. While the original was already captivating, the 2013 version adds a post-script conversation between Polanski and Stewart filmed in 2011, wherein the pair discuss the original film, as well as the work Stewart went to do in the sport to further the safety of other drivers. 6. 1: Life on the Limit Release Date: January 10, 2014 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 52m IMDb Rating: 7.9 Director: Paul Crowder While most F1-related films feature warnings around the danger of the sport, 1: Life on the Limit goes all in on highlighting the drivers that lost their lives throughout the sport's nascent growth period, and the men that took pains to make F1 a far safer sport. Narrated by Michael Fassbender, 1 charts the path from the 60's through to the present day as rapid changes within the sport lead to faster and faster cars and, as can be expected, a rising number of on-track fatalities. You'd think every driver would want things to be as safe as possible, but there's a surprising amount of pushback from many of the men behind-the-wheel as new safety initiatives are brought in. It all amounts to a fascinating watch—one that hyper focuses on one aspect of the sport that is both incredibly important and largely unseen. 7. Hunt vs. Lauda: F1's Greatest Racing Rivals Release Date: July 14, 2013 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 59m IMDb Rating: 7.8 Director: Matthew Whiteman A TV Movie documenting the on-track rivalry between Niki Lauda and James Hunt, Hunt vs Lauda takes a decidedly more archival approach to the story when compared to the dramatised Rush. Using a mix of on-the-track footage and new interviews, Hunt vs Lauda tracks the events of the 1976 F1 Championship: a season more intense than most, with Lauda suffering a near-fatal crash that saw him out of action for six weeks before returning to the track wearing a respirator in order to race. While the pair had incredibly different approaches—both on the track and off—Hunt and Lauda actually stayed pretty close friends throughout their careers, despite the fact they were often fighting for pole position. Another fantastic behind-the-scenes look at the sport, as well as the characters that make it as exciting as it is. 8. McLaren Release Date: May 25, 2017 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 32m IMDb Rating: 7.3 Director: Roger Donaldson If there ever was an underdog story in F1, it'd be the story of Bruce McLaren: a humble New Zealander who kickstarted the eponymous dynasty. A prodigious racer, McLaren entered the sport a nobody and left it with a team named after him, and while the film showcases the journey of how McLaren gets to that point, it doesn't dive particularly deep into what kind of man he was. It's a missed opportunity, as when McLaren inevitably meets his end on the track, there is little room for reflection. Still, if you're more interested in some fantastic archival footage of F1's heyday (as well as some jarring dramatisations, most likely used to plug holes where the filmmakers couldn't secure footage), McLaren provides. 9. The 24 Hour War Release Date: November 22, 2016 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 39m IMDb Rating: 7.2 Director: Nate Adams, Adam Carolla Another look at the infamous Le Mans race, though this time delving back to the early 1960s, when Ford and Ferrari were locked in a battle for supremacy. Funnily enough, Ford decided to take Ferrari on after the Italian Stallion rejected the American automaker's bid to partner up, making this movie something of. a revenge tale. While it focuses on the infamous 1966 Le Mans race, The 24 Hour War also intersperses its archival footage with interviews with many of the still-living racers, mechanics, and team staff, leading to an incredibly insightful look back at the events surrounding the race as told by the people that were there. Make no mistake, though, the movie is made by gear-heads, for gear-heads. 10. Ferrari: Race to Immortality Release Date: November 3, 2017 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 31m IMDb Rating: 6.9 Director: Daryl Goodrich Following on from The 24 Hour War, you might want to know a bit more about how the great Ferrari got started. 2017's Ferrari: Race to Immortality takes us back to the 1950's, where Enzo Ferrari – namesake of the brand – led the team in red to supremacy. Race to Immortality tends to focus on the drivers, specifically Peter Collins and Mike Hawthorne, detailing what it was like for the men behind-the-wheel during a time the sport was arguably at its most dangerous: if you're one of those people that pine for a time where the sport was more rough-and-ready, you'll get some kicks here. While the film is ostensibly about Ferrari, it also details the wider context of F1 in the 1950s, as well as the kind of man Enzo was – pushing his drivers in ways that would probably see him removed from the sport today. 11. Truth in 24 II: Every Second Counts Release Date: March 26, 2012 Genre: Documentary Runtime: 1h 23m IMDb Rating: 7.4 Director: Rob Gehring Again narrated by Jason Statham, Truth in 24 II takes a look at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and follows Audi's preparation and efforts to take the victory in 2011. It's rare to get a sequel in the world of racing documentaries, but this isn't exactly a traditional sequel—rather, Part II follows a different team, featuring entirely different drivers, and was made by a different production team. There's definitely something lost in the process of moving on from that original team, even if the drivers on show here—Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer, and Benoît Tréluyer—are all fascinating in their own rights. Even so, Part II follows in the footsteps of the original, showcasing the mental and physical torture drivers put themselves through in order to get their team, and car, to cover as much ground as possible within the 24-hour time limit. It's not glamorous, but it is inspiring. Want More F1? We've Got You Covered
United News of India
02-07-2025
- Health
- United News of India
Introducing Constishain: The Ayurvedic Breakthrough for Natural Constipation Relief
Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 1: Sushain Wellness proudly announces the launch of its latest innovation – Constishain Tablet, a 100% natural, Ayurvedic, and non-habit-forming constipation tablet designed to provide effective and long-lasting constipation relief. In today's fast-paced lifestyle, constipation has become one of the most common digestive complaints affecting millions. Constishain offers a holistic solution to this widespread problem by working on the root cause rather than offering just temporary relief. A Natural Solution Backed by Ayurveda Constishain is a carefully crafted Ayurvedic medicine for constipation, formulated by expert Vaidyas using time-tested herbs known for their digestive and cleansing properties. It not only eases bowel movement but also helps detoxify the intestines and supports overall gut health. The formulation includes potent Ayurvedic herbs like Senna, Triphala, and Chester Oil blended in isabgol husk, making it one of the best tablets for constipation available in the market today. Why Choose Constishain? Constishain is also highly effective as a gas relief medicine, making it a two-in-one remedy for those suffering from both bloating and irregular bowel movements. Who Should Use Constishain? Constishain is ideal for anyone suffering from: Chronic or occasional constipation Irregular bowel movements Bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort Sluggish digestion due to poor dietary habits or sedentary lifestyle Whether you're looking for an effective constipation medicine or simply aiming to improve your digestive wellness, Constishain offers a safe, reliable, and Ayurvedic way forward. Now Available on Sushain Constishain is now available exclusively on the Sushain Ayurvedic platform, which houses over 25,000 authentic natural products and connects users with more than 2,000 expert Ayurvedic doctors. What Makes Constishain Stand Out? Unlike over-the-counter laxatives, Constishain provides sustainable gut support without disrupting natural body functions. It fits seamlessly into wellness routines and is gentle on the stomach while promoting long-term regularity. Trusted by Ayurvedic experts and supported by genuine customer reviews, Constishain is the next-generation herbal formulation for digestive balance **Say goodbye to digestive discomfort with Constishain – Your trusted Ayurvedic partner for natural and lasting constipation relief. If you object to the content of this press release, please notify us at We will respond and rectify the situation within 24 hours.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Revisiting the legendary British Grand Prix moment when Nigel Mansell gave Ayrton Senna a lift in his F1 car
Formula 1 has grown significantly over the years, with strict safety regulations that are life-saving on one hand but can lead to heavy penalties for drivers if even slightly violated. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, there was a time in the 1990s when things were a little less rigid — like the iconic moment during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, when Ayrton Senna hitched a ride on the body of Nigel Mansell's F1 car after his own had run out of fuel. When Ayrton Senna ran out of fuel and hitched a ride on track The legendary British Grand Prix moment was recently shared by F1 on their X handle, leaving motorsport fans in awe. The video shows Senna taking a ride back to the garage on Mansell's car after the latter had just won the race — and was gracious enough to offer a lift. Nigel Mansell had won the 1991 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, starting from pole position while racing for Williams-Renault. Ayrton Senna, who finished fourth, ran out of fuel in his McLaren-Honda on the final lap. True to his sporting nature, he accepted the lift back to the pits. Fans call the British Grand Prix moment 'iconic' F1 fans hailed the moment on X, calling it 'legendary' and 'iconic.' Many also questioned whether such an act would even be legal under today's regulations. One user commented, 'F1 history in one frame!' Another wrote, '@fia unban this stuff bro, drivers should be allowed to have fun.' A third said, 'This is one of my favorite F1 moments.' Another comment read, 'In today's highly regulated F1, both drivers would get points on their license and/or some kind of grid penalty for the next race. Lord save us from officialdom.' In the comments section, a user also shared another video clip and pointed out, 'You left out the funniest part — when the marshal tries to stop him and Senna pushes him away.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Tragically, Senna lost his life three years later in a racing accident during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola. Also Read: The British Grand Prix returns this year to Silverstone, scheduled from July 4 – 6. It's a special home race for McLaren's Lando Norris, who just claimed his third win of the season in Austria on Sunday.
