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 Dispatches Humbert in Straight Sets to Win Paris Masters

Germany's Alexander Zverev poses with the trophy after winning the men's singles final match on day seven of the Paris ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament at the Accor Arena - Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy - in Paris on November 3, 2024. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)
Germany's Alexander Zverev poses with the trophy after winning the men's singles final match on day seven of the Paris ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament at the Accor Arena - Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy - in Paris on November 3, 2024. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)
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Zverev Dispatches Humbert in Straight Sets to Win Paris Masters

Germany's Alexander Zverev poses with the trophy after winning the men's singles final match on day seven of the Paris ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament at the Accor Arena - Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy - in Paris on November 3, 2024. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)
Germany's Alexander Zverev poses with the trophy after winning the men's singles final match on day seven of the Paris ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament at the Accor Arena - Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy - in Paris on November 3, 2024. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)

Alexander Zverev was imperious in dispatching Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-2, 6-2 to win the Paris Masters on Sunday.
The third-seeded Zverev was in total control of the final to earn his seventh Masters 1000 title, his first in the French capital. The win at the indoor tournament also moved him past top-ranked Jannik Sinner for the most wins on the ATP tour this year, at 66.
Zverev's big serve, excellent returns and precise attacking shots did not take long to extinguish the hopes of the partisan crowd as Humbert never got into the match.
“I knew I had to play like this to win today,” Zverev said. “Ugo is an incredible player, but here in Paris he plays even better than he usually does and I knew that. Once the crowd gets involved, it’s going to be difficult. So I had to take that away early, and I did, so I’m happy about that.”
Humbert, who knocked out Carlos Alcaraz in the third round, won't have fond memories of his first Masters final. He tried to play aggressively from the start and to take all the risks to shorten rallies. But he could not find his range while Zverev defended extremely well.
The German quickly solved his rival’s serve and had his first break chance in the third game. He took it when Humbert sent a forehand into the net.
Humbert continued to make unforced errors. Trailing 3-1, he saved two break points but dropped his serve again when another shanked forehand sealed the game.
Zverev dropped just one point on his serve in the opening set and sealed it at love with an ace.
The 15th-seeded Humbert walked back to the locker room after the first set. The interlude didn’t change anything.
The Frenchman double-faulted on his return to the court, continued to make poor tactical decisions and was immediately broken with a forehand into the net. Another break gave Zverev a 3-0 lead as Humbert wasted a 40-0 lead and was never able to stage a comeback.
“I’m extremely happy to have played in this final,” said Humbert, looking at the bright side of his Parisian week. “To have my family and team with me the whole week has been incredible. It’s for moments like this why I do this every day, why I train.”
Zverev improved to 23-13 in tour finals and became the second German player to win in Paris after Boris Becker. He will overtake Alcaraz to move into second place in the new ATP rankings and will be a top contender at the ATP Finals gathering the top eight players of the season from Nov. 10-17 in Turin, Italy.
The Paris Masters will relocate to another venue next year, moving from its historic location at the Palais Omnisports to La Défense Arena.