Question of the Week: which Formula One rivalry deserves a movie?

Senna and Schumacher

There’s something special about watching a rivalry on the big screen, isn’t there? Particularly with a sport like Formula One, where it’s not necessarily a theme of ‘good versus bad’, but rather, two humans defying what’s physically and mentally possible for one common goal: to win.

Rush (2013) is a good example of just that: two incredible drivers willing to risk everything in what was unquestionably one of the most dangerous periods for the sport. Yes, some of the details may have been taken out of context, such as their solely bitter relationship (they were actually good friends). But the moment James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) realises he’d pipped Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl) to the championship and My Best Enemy by Hans Zimmer is delicately worked in, you develop a thick layer of goose-pimples. Every time.

Senna and Schumacher

But while Hunt’s relationship with Lauda was definitely one for the big screen, some may not consider it to be Formula One’s greatest rivalry. Between the years of 1985 and 1993, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna shared seven titles between them; four for the former and three for the latter. Their rivalry went far beyond a game of numbers and statistics, as the events of the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix prove.

Hamilton vs Rosberg

Oh, and remember the three years between 1998 and 2001 when a seemingly unstoppable Michael Schumacher was, er, stopped by Mika Hakkinen? Had the incredible Finn not stood in the way, Schumacher might have retired with nine titles in 11 years to his name.

His septet of championships has now been matched by a chap from Stevenage… called Lewis. He could’ve made it seven titles on the bounce had it not been for Nico Rosberg in 2016. The elusive eighth then evaded Hamilton again in 2021 when Max Verstappen pipped him to the crown on the final lap of the final race under mildly controversial circumstances.

So this edition of our Question of the Week asks you, dear reader, which of Formula One’s rivalries do you most want to see turned into a film? One post simply would not be big enough to comb through each of the sport’s notable feuds, so we welcome suggestions not mentioned above.

Go ahead and drop the who and why in the comment section below.

Rush 2013

Schumacher Ferrari

Alain Prost