The highly anticipated Formula 1 movie starring Brad Pitt immerses viewers in the thrilling world of motorsport, delighting racing enthusiasts – from die-hard fans to newcomers.

Produced by Lewis Hamilton, the film is rich with references to motorsport history, prominently featuring Ayrton Senna. Brad Pitt himself recently expressed his admiration for the legendary Brazilian driver.

However, this isn’t Senna’s first appearance on the big screen. Here are some notable cinematic references you may have missed:

Driven (2001)

Watching Sylvester Stallone portray a competitive retired Formula 1 driver already makes Driven worth viewing. The film subtly honors Senna through details like the team’s uniforms and car colors, reminiscent of the most iconic McLaren in history.

Stallone has expressed deep admiration for Senna: “He wanted me to tell his life story on film. We talked extensively about it, and once, over the phone, he told me: ‘You’re really great; I love your movies,’” recalled Stallone.

The Terminal (2004)

Tom Hanks’ charismatic foreigner, detained in an airport, regularly bathes in the restroom sinks. The towel he uses notably features Ayrton Senna’s McLaren, a fascinating reference in this Steven Spielberg-directed film.

Iron Man 3 (2013)

Pepper Potts, played by Gwyneth Paltrow, mourns the apparent demise of Iron Man, breaking into deep sorrow as she picks up the hero’s helmet amid the debris. This poignant scene echoes Viviane Senna holding Ayrton’s helmet at his funeral – a subtle tribute by director Shane Black to the eternal champion.

Capitan America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Another Marvel film referencing Senna appears early in its Brazilian version. Captain America (Chris Evans) opens a notebook listing important things he missed while frozen for decades. At the top of the list, unsurprisingly, is Ayrton Senna.

Futuro Beach (2014)

In this film by director Karim Aïnouz, a character named Ayrton honors Ayrton Senna, symbolically born in 1994. According to the director, this character’s personality draws from heroic figures, with Senna’s legacy prominently influencing its construction.

Begin Again (2024)

Beyond cinema, Ayrton Senna is also honored in the Chinese drama “Begin Again.” In episode 10, professional racing driver Han Jun Hao (Elvis Han) passionately discusses Senna’s legacy and his exceptional track skills with art curator Chen Jia Hui (Zhong Chuxi).