Documentaries and automotive series | What to devour in your free time

Automotive culture is as vast as it is fascinating. No wonder it is featured in many television and cinematographic works. Here is a list, which is not intended to be exhaustive, of documentaries and series offered on streaming platforms that are worth a look.

Charles René
Press

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (Netflix)

It must be specified from the outset, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee do not put the automobile in the foreground. Piloted by comedian Jerry Seinfeld, the Netflix series revolves around meetings in various vehicles with various celebrities. This makes for some of the often absurd and deliciously hilarious conversations. The short format of the episodes (around 20 minutes) allows them to be enjoyed in bursts or not.

Watch the trailer for Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (in English)

Formula 1: Drive to Survive (Netflix)

Launched in 2019, the series Formula 1: Drive to Survive takes us behind the scenes of the premier discipline of motor racing, marking a split from the opaque era of Bernie Ecclestone’s reign. Visually magnificent, it recounts the remarkable tribulations of the Formula 1 seasons. It also greatly humanises this sport, which combines high technology with extraordinary sporting prowess.

Watch the trailer for Formula 1: Drive to Survive (in English)

Jay Leno’s Garage (Youtube)

Much more interesting than the TV show of the same name that airs on CNBC, the YouTube channel Jay Leno’s Garage brings together various capsules hosted by the former host of Tonight Show. Big car lover and owner of an extraordinary number of vehicles that are both rare and historically notable, he takes us on a guided tour of his collection and tests many other vehicles. Its relaxed style and the various anecdotes get us hooked very quickly.

Visit the YouTube channel Jay Leno’s Garage (in English)

Myth & Mogul: John DeLorean (Netflix)

The documentary series Myth & Mogul: John DeLorean addresses, as its title suggests, the life of one of the most powerful bosses in American automotive history, John DeLorean. Father of the DeLorean DMC-12, a commercial failure born of an overly ambitious idea that still strikes the imagination today, it has a history as incredible as it is fascinating. Built around numerous testimonies and archival images, the work focuses on the character who will have left his mark, for better or for worse.

Watch the trailer for Myth & Mogul: John DeLorean (in English)

Petrolicious (Youtube)

YouTube channel Petrolicious focuses on the tales of mostly old vehicles told with aplomb by their owners and specialists. Supported by an exceptional photography coupled with the sound of the mechanics which are expressed without being too restricted by the soundtrack, the videos immerse us in various universes and make us learn very interesting details. To consume without moderation.

Visit the YouTube channel Petrolicious (in English)

Schumacher (Netflix)

Latest Netflix documentary about Formula 1, Schumacher obviously concerns the career of the seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. Well done, however, the work tells us very little about the state of health of the pilot who was the victim of a skiing accident in 2013. Many less glorious parts of the German’s career are also not addressed outright. . One should therefore not expect the eloquence of Senna, corn Schumacher however has the merit of plunging us into our memories, which is worth a viewing.

Watch the trailer for Schumacher (in English, French subtitles)

Shelby american (Netflix)

Accomplished driver, go-getter entrepreneur, but above all architect of four Ford victories during the 1960s at the 24 hours of Le Mans, Carroll Shelby does without introductions. The Texan who died in 2012 sees his story told in this excellent documentary which allows us to better understand the profound influence of the man whose name is still affixed today on the most powerful livery of the Ford Mustang.

Watch the trailer for Shelby american (in English)

The Grand Tour (Amazon Prime Video)

The old band of Top Gear composed of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May continues to plague Amazon Prime with long episodes devoted to bombastic journeys. Certainly, the affiliation with the automobile is not always marked and we miss the points of humor during the road tests on the track, but the chemistry between the three is always palpable, which makes us have a good time.

Watch the trailer for The Grand Tour

The Gymkhana Files (Amazon Prime Video)

Pilot Ken Block didn’t become the viral phenomenon he is without a fair amount of work. The documentary series The Gymkhana Files We show it in a convincing way by turning the cameras on the back of the set, from the creative process to the filming of these motorized antics. It is not easy and it shows that its success is not due to a fluke.

Watch the trailer for The Gymkhana Files (in English)

Uppity: The Willy T. Ribbs Story (Netflix)

The name of Willy T. Ribbs probably doesn’t mean much to you. And yet. The first African-American to drive a Formula 1 and qualify for the Indianapolis 500, the talented driver has competed in many major championships during his career. This precious documentary sheds light on the pervasive racism he faced throughout his journey which could have been significantly brighter. We discover a man whose immense talent is matched only by his determination. A blind spot that is little used in motor racing.

Watch the trailer forUppity: The Willy T. Ribbs Story (in English)