EXCLUSIVE: Viaplay is launching a collection of eleven documentaries about three time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen.
Beginning on Monday, October 14 the streamer will launch docs such as Off the Beaten Track and Master of the Track in the U.S. and UK. The programs offer a glimpse into the life of the racer, exploring how he has achieved his dominant displays and mentality to win.
Max Verstappen: Off the Beaten Track comprises three episodes, while Max Verstappen: Master of the Track is 22 short eps. Later in the month, Viaplay U.S. and UK will add Max’s Machine and F1 Talks on October 21 and F1 2023: Champion Becoming a Legend on October 28. Then in November, more Verstappen documentaries will debut, including Lion Unleashed Seasons 1-3 on November 18) and Near Perfect, Picture Perfect and Anatomy of a Champion on November 25.
“Partnering with Viaplay for all these series has been an incredible journey,” said Verstappen. “These series show a side that often remains unseen during the moments on the Formula 1 circuit. It gives a glimpse of my life, my love for different forms of motorsport and the people who inspire me. I’m proud to collaborate with Viaplay in now also bringing this unique series to viewers in the United States and United Kingdom.”
Nick Hoedeman, who directed Anatomy of a Champion and Off the Beaten Track, added: “Mostly I did the filming myself. Max is not a fan of camera crews, so we looked at how to keep it as small and compact as possible, so that Max feels relaxed. That’s also the only way to really make it something different from what you’ve already seen with him.”
“For a lot of people the insight you get into his life answers the question of why Max acts as he does. He is ‘what you see, is what you get’ — something that is quite tricky for a film director. But it’s also really what it is. That does make him a very pure person and you’re going to see that very well. Everyone has been very open and honest.”
Viaplay’s U.S. and UK services have added docs on soccer stars Nicklas Bendtner, Cody Gakpo and Erling Haaland in recent months, as well as young adult drama series Threesome, true crime docuseries Under the Radar – Secrets of a Swedish Serial Killer and In the Mind of a Criminal, Nordic noir Darkness Those Who Kill Seasons 1-3, and Swedish crime drama Taelgia, with Pilou Asbaek’s contemporary drama series Secrets coming October 21 to the UK and October 24 to the U.S.
Viaplay U.S is distributed on Prime Video Channels, the Roku Channel, Xfinity, XUMO and Sling TV, while Viaplay UK is on Prime Video Channels.
Both services are now distributed through partnership agreements as add-ons. The standalone direct-to-consumer services in the UK and U.S. were closed as part of wide-scale Viaplay Group restructuring amid financial issues last year.
