Netflix Schumacher review: the human behind an F1 hero

His Benetton championship years were gleeful, under lesser stress both at and away from the circuit. But life as F1’s superstar becomes the prevailing theme and the pressures of bringing Ferrari its first world championship begins to show. It is here where many viewers will feel short-changed.

There is no real inquest into the darker side of his racing record. Adelaide ’94 and Jerez ’97 are both touched upon and key figures from the events tell the story and offer up perspective, though a full analysis of his controversies is feeble. Hill offers his perspective of the incident but Villeneuve’s absence is disappointing.

Ross Brawn’s defence of his driver’s actions fall short of full acquittal, but he does offer Ferrari’s perspective when its star man crossed the line in pursuit of what quickly becomes crucially important for Schumacher: perfection.

1997 is presented as his career low-point. His actions at Jerez are not defended by anyone in the film though it does play into the next sequence as interviewees detail how his family break away to Norway in the off season transformed him into the detail-obsessed driver that transformed Ferrari’s fortunes.

Fitness levels, interpersonal skills with team members and determination to turn the Scuderia around become his main focuses. Corinna even details how his minute-by-minute planning extended to his and her sleeping patterns, as she’d end up sitting in their bathroom to avoid disturbing his sleep.

There isn’t a warts-and-all cross-examination of the seven-time world champion in the way many will hope for, but the detailing of his modus operandi and how differing points in his career shaped the driver he would become is great viewing.

Covering Ayrton Senna’s passing, the expectant Tifosi, unexpected rivals and dealing with unwanted fame, the film could be longer than the borderline two-hour run time, but it would still make for an entertaining watch.

There is little time spent focusing on his championship-domination from 2001 to 2004, the film opting not to go into the dominant years with Ferrari but instead sticking with the human side rather than the sporting story.

Likewise his Mercedes years are glossed over fairly quickly too as the impending melancholy ending approaches.

There are a plethora of interviewees from throughout Michael’s career, including former team bosses Flavio Briatore and Jean Todt; manager Sabine Kehm; Bernie Ecclestone; and drivers including team-mate Eddie Irvine, Mika Hakkinen, David Coulthard and Sebastian Vettel. Combined with the unseen archive footage, they offer genuine colour and engaging perspectives from both friend and enemy alike.

In fact, his career stretched on for so long that there does feel like an over-reliance on some narrators and contributors where other viewpoints would improve the end product somewhat.

There are also a few errors throughout. Usage of incorrect clips showing Nigel Mansell over Damon Hill in 1994 or Rubens Barrichello at the wheel of a Ferrari meant to belong to Michael crop up, but never detract from the overall enjoyment of what is a great documentary for F1 and racing fans.

Mercifully, there is very minimal dubbing in comparison to the DtS mix and match approach, though it isn’t really a problem when the archive footage in question features V10s and V8s.

Senna may still be the high-water mark when it comes to Formula 1 documentaries but Schumacher is one of the better reviews of one of the sport’s all-time greats even if it does feel a little undercooked in places.

If you’re looking for Schumacher’s career inside the F1 paddock to be retold, season reviews are available. But if you want to go beyond that and experience his evolution from promising upstart to unbeatable winning machine from a more human perspective, you will not be disappointed.

Schumacher is released by Netflix at 8am on September 15.