New Netflix Documentary on 'Multi-layered' Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher during his days at Ferrari. Image credit: Reuters
Michael Schumacher during his days at Ferrari. Image credit: Reuters
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New Netflix Documentary on 'Multi-layered' Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher during his days at Ferrari. Image credit: Reuters
Michael Schumacher during his days at Ferrari. Image credit: Reuters

Seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher is the subject of a new Netflix documentary to be released on September 15, the platform announced on Friday.

The film titled "Schumacher" retraces the life and career of the German driver, who has not been seen in public since a serious skiing accident in 2013, and promises unseen archive material that shows the "many facets of his multi-layered personality".

The portrait of the racing legend, now 52, is "the only film supported by his family", the platform said in a press release.

Schumacher’s manager Sabine Kehm describes the film as the "family's gift to their beloved husband and father".

The documentary features exclusive interviews with his wife Corinna, his two children Gina and Mick, himself an F1 driver since this season, and brother Ralf, as well as those who worked with or raced against Schumacher, including Jean Todt, Bernie Ecclestone, Sebastian Vettel, Mika Hakkinen, Damon Hill and David Coulthard.

Schumacher, who won 91 Grand Prix before retiring from Formula One in 2012, suffered a serious head injury on December 29, 2013 in the French Alps and his state of health remains secret.

"The greatest challenge for the directors was certainly to find the balance between independent reporting and consideration for the family," said Vanessa Nocker who directed the film along with Hanns-Bruno Kammertons and Michael Wech.

"Corinna Schumacher herself was our greatest support in this.

"She herself wanted to make an authentic film, to show Michael as he is, with all his ups and downs, without any sugarcoating.

"She was great and brave enough to let us do what we wanted, and so we respected and kept her boundaries. A very inspiring, warm woman who made a lasting impression on all of us."

It will be released 30 years after the German's first Grand Prix in Belgium in August 1991.



Zverev Beats Tsitsipas and Joined by Rune, Humbert, Khachanov in Paris Masters Semis

 Germany's Alexander Zverev looks on as he plays against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas during their men's singles quarterfinal match on day five of the Paris ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament at the Accor Arena - Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy - in Paris on November 1, 2024. (AFP)
Germany's Alexander Zverev looks on as he plays against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas during their men's singles quarterfinal match on day five of the Paris ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament at the Accor Arena - Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy - in Paris on November 1, 2024. (AFP)
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Zverev Beats Tsitsipas and Joined by Rune, Humbert, Khachanov in Paris Masters Semis

 Germany's Alexander Zverev looks on as he plays against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas during their men's singles quarterfinal match on day five of the Paris ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament at the Accor Arena - Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy - in Paris on November 1, 2024. (AFP)
Germany's Alexander Zverev looks on as he plays against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas during their men's singles quarterfinal match on day five of the Paris ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament at the Accor Arena - Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy - in Paris on November 1, 2024. (AFP)

Alexander Zverev advanced to the semifinals of the Paris Masters by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 6-4 on Friday and knocking the Greek player out of contention for the ATP Finals.

The third-seeded German saved the only break point he faced.

Zverev, the French Open runner-up, next faces 2022 champion Holger Rune for a shot at the title. He's into his third Paris semifinals in the past four years, though he's never won the hard-court tournament.

The first break point opportunity came in the 11th game as Tsitsipas struggled with his first serve. Zverev got the break for 6-5 on an unforced error.

Tsitsipas then saved two set points but squandered his only break point chance with his 17th unforced error before Zverev closed out the set.

Zverev broke again in the third game of the second set to take full control. He rattled off 12 straight points in his final three service games.

With the victory, Zverev became the first player born in the 1990s to record 100 wins over top-20 players. Daniil Medvedev is on 99.

The 10th-seeded Tsitsipas, who reached the ATP Finals for five consecutive years, had 28 unforced errors to 18 winners.

Rune outlasted Alex de Minaur 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 in a 2 1/2-hour baseline fight. Rune improved to 3-2 against the Australian.

Grigor Dimitrov's hopes of making the ATP Finals were set back after the 2023 finalist was upset by 2018 champion Karen Khachanov 6-2, 6-3 for the first time. Khachanov lost their four previous matches.

Dimitrov was 10th in the race to the top-eight ATP Finals in Turin.

Khachanov improved to 12-1 in the last three weeks after winning the Almaty title and reaching the Vienna final.

He'll face in the semifinals local hope Ugo Humbert, who defeated Jordan Thompson of Australia 6-2, 7-6 (4) a day after stunning Carlos Alcaraz.

Humbert has reached his first Masters semifinal, and he's the first Frenchman to go this far in Paris in seven years.