I’ve been in this game for a long time, and I’ve seen a lot of things, but what’s happened with this Netflix documentary is something that’s just not sitting right with me. To be completely honest, I feel so disrespected, and I’ve got to speak up about it. Let me tell you why.
First off, for anyone who’s been following me, my career, and my journey, you know that my story is not just about racing. It’s about everything that happened off the track, too. The ups, the downs, the injuries, the comebacks—it’s a life that’s been shared by so many people who’ve supported me along the way. It’s personal. So when I found out that Netflix decided to use footage of my races without any kind of authorization or even reaching out to me, that felt like a slap in the face.
Look, I’ve been a part of a lot of racing documentaries over the years, but there’s a certain level of respect that comes with telling someone’s story. It’s one thing to document a life and a career, but it’s another to just go ahead and use material without even asking. It’s a clear violation of my rights, and honestly, it’s not just about the money here—it’s about the principle of it. It’s about respecting the people who built the sport and made it what it is today.
When they reached out about the documentary, I was hopeful. I thought, ‘Okay, this could be a great way to share the history of the sport and highlight some of the things we’ve gone through, the battles we’ve fought.’ But then, I learned that they just went ahead and used some of my best race footage—footage I own the rights to—without asking, without even giving me a call to discuss how it would be used. And that’s not right. It’s my legacy we’re talking about here, not just some random piece of footage.
I don’t care who you are—no one has the right to just take someone’s intellectual property like that, especially when it’s done in a way that feels so underhanded. The footage they used doesn’t just represent my races; it represents the sacrifices I made, the blood, sweat, and tears I poured into becoming a world champion. To see it used without my consent, without my involvement, is just wrong.
And here’s the thing: this isn’t just about the money, although obviously, it’s a part of it. What bothers me more is the lack of respect for the athletes who paved the way. This documentary could’ve been an opportunity to tell a real, authentic story. Instead, they took the easy route, using my footage as a shortcut without even making the effort to do things the right way. That’s why I’m taking action now. Not because I’m looking for a payday, but because I want to send a message that this kind of thing won’t stand.
I’m suing Netflix not just for the unauthorized use of my footage, but also for the principle of it. There’s a right way to tell a story, and there’s a wrong way. I’ve been part of the racing world for decades. I’ve earned my place, and I’ve earned the respect that comes with it. To have someone think they can take my work without permission—it’s just not something I’m going to let slide.
So yeah, I feel disrespected. I feel like I’ve been taken advantage of. But I’m not going to just sit back and let this slide. This is my legacy we’re talking about, and I’m going to fight to make sure it’s treated with the respect it deserves. Netflix might be big, but that doesn’t mean they can trample on the rights of the people who helped build this sport. It’s time to set the record straight.
