A documentary chronicling the life and death of IndyCar champion Dan Wheldon will debut on HBO and the Max streaming service on March 12.
The film is titled ‘The Lionheart’ after the racer’s nickname earned from his fearless personality and driving style.
Wheldon raced in IndyCar from 2002 to 2011, earning 16 wins, including two Indianapolis 500 victories, and a series championship in 2005.
The English driver was killed in a crash during the 2011 season finale at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, his car being launched into the catch fencing with devastating consequences.
After safety crews realized the severity of the situation, the remainder of the race was cancelled.
The documentary also covers storylines around Wheldon’s surviving family, including sons Sebastien and Oliver which are now aspiring racing talents as they approach their teenage years.
Susie Wheldon, Dan’s widow, discusses in the film her dilemma of raising her sons and their desire to continue pursuing the lifestyle that led to their father’s death.
Many current and former IndyCar drivers feature in the film as well, including Dario Franchitti, Tony Kanaan, Scott Dixon, Bryan Herta, Michael Andretti, and Chip Ganassi.
Since the completion of the documentary, Sebastien Wheldon has been announced as a driver in the USF Juniors series, the first step on IndyCar’s ladder system that helps young drivers advance all the way to top level motorsports.
‘The Lionheart’ debuted during the Tribeca Film Festival in 2023, but is now set for wider release next month.
The Max streaming service is available in the United States and many South American countries, and is expected to be available across much of Europe starting in spring of this year.
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