Newey’s Life to be Chronicled in Damon & affleck-Backed Formula 1 Documentary
A new documentary, tentatively titled Turbulence: the greatest Mind In Formula One, will offer an unprecedented look into the life and career of Adrian Newey, the celebrated engineer currently spearheading Aston Martin’s Formula 1 ambitions.The project represents a important collaboration between Hollywood stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck – partnering with Newey’s team, the award-winning Whisper Group, and Mark Stewart Productions.
The film promises a unique blend of documentary and biopic elements, weaving together behind-the-scenes access to Newey’s current work at Aston Martin with a retrospective exploration of his remarkable 45-year career. It will chart his journey from a graduate trainee at Fittipaldi Automotive in 1980, through stints in sportscars and IndyCar, to the pinnacle of Formula 1.
Newey’s designs have underpinned 14 drivers’ championships, a testament to his engineering prowess. However, the film will not shy away from the challenges and setbacks that have punctuated his career. One poignant example cited is the 1990 French Grand Prix, where Newey watched his Leyton House CG901 nearly achieve victory shortly after being dismissed by the team. The documentary will also address the challenging aftermath of Ayrton Senna’s tragic death in 1994, when Newey, then at Williams, was among those subjected to legal scrutiny in Italy.
The engineer’s recent move to Aston Martin, led by a consortium headed by Lawrence Stroll, has been met with intense interest, given the team’s previous struggles for competitiveness. The film will feature exclusive footage from Aston Martin’s state-of-the-art technology campus near Silverstone, offering a glimpse into the team’s efforts to challenge the established F1 order.
The surge in global interest in Formula 1, fueled by the success of the Netflix series Drive To Survive and Apple’s recent blockbuster F1: The Movie, provides a fertile ground for this project. Apple’s commitment to the sport is further underscored by a recently concluded five-year streaming deal reportedly worth $150 million annually.
Artists Equity’s involvement reflects a broader trend of US investment in F1, including Liberty Media’s acquisition of the sport’s commercial rights and a growing portfolio of celebrity ownership stakes. Actors Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, and Michael B Jordan are among those who have invested in the Alpine team, while Gerry Cardinale, co-founder of Artists Equity and managing partner of redbird Capital, holds a 24% stake in Alpine through a separate investment group.
The Turbulence project benefits from the expertise of its collaborators. Whisper Group, co-founded by former F1 driver David Coulthard and presenter Jake Humphrey, has a proven track record in sports production. Mark Stewart, the youngest son of three-time world champion Sir Jackie Stewart, brings his own award-winning documentary experience to the table, having previously produced the critically acclaimed Gazza.
Newey himself expressed initial hesitation about participating in the film, but ultimately recognized its potential to inspire a new generation of engineers and fans. “One of the touching things about my 2017 autobiography is the number of letters I have received,relaying how much the book had sparked their interest in and thankfulness of the design and engineering that goes into racing cars,” Newey stated. “hopefully this film can portray the passion,the working practice,the strength of mind that is involved in bringing an F1 car to the grid.”
He added that the film will document the challenges of joining Aston Martin ahead of what he described as “arguably the biggest regulation change in F1 history.” Newey hopes the documentary will capture the “restless energy” and “constant drive towards improved performance” that define the sport.
