Formula One Series “Lucky!” Coming To Star+
A brand new documentary series about Formula One called “Lucky!” has been revealed, which will be released in December on a number of different streaming platforms around the world.
The series is being created by “Senna” producer Manish Pandey and tells the story of the development of Formula 1 through the eyes of Bernie Ecclestone, who is the former chief executive of the Formula One Group.
The eight-episode series will air on Disney’s ESPN channels and its streaming service, Star+, in Latin America. It will be released on DAZN in Japan, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain and Italy. It will also be released on Discovery+ in the UK and Ireland.
Production on the series began in 2020, and the producers have been making deals throughout the summer with different platforms to distribute the series.
The show is billed as the “intensely personal story of Bernie Ecclestone as he realizes his vision to create and develop a sport to rival the Soccer World Cup and the Olympics.
During an interview with Deadline, Manish Pandey said that the filmed extensively at Bernie Ecclestone’s homes in Gstaad and Ibiza over nearly eight weeks during the Covid-19 lockdown, revealing his life story and how Formula 1 grew into a phenomenal success under his stewardship. Pandey said close to 100 hours of footage had been shot for the eight-part series.
“Lucky! is a series I have been writing and researching all my life. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with Bernie and tell the story of a genius showman and unrivaled businessman who created a sports franchise single-handedly, something that will probably never be done again.”
He added:
“In his 70 years in the sport, Bernie dealt with public figures from Mandela to Blair, and with drivers from Fangio to Senna to Hamilton to Verstappen. Our key broadcast partners, DAZN, discovery+ and Star+, have been incredibly supportive and I look forward to working with each of them to make the series a success in their individual markets.”
DAZN’s EVP Global Commissioning and Original Content, Grant Best, said:
“Sport is full of entrepreneurial characters and their stories that change the game. For over 40y years, Bernie Ecclestone’s vision transformed F1 into one of the biggest annual sporting events in the world. DAZN continues to work with exceptional filmmakers and we are delighted to be working with Manish Pandey, who is bringing this incredible story to our sports fans in some of our biggest markets.”
The series will feature original music composed by Antonio Pinto.