Netflix doco 'Schumacher' set for September 15 release

Labelling an athlete the Greatest of All Time in their chosen sport has always been a contentious topic and it only seems to become exacerbated when someone passes or retires.

Formula 1 has had many different drivers who could be GOAT contenders – Fangio, Clark, Prost, Senna and Hamilton to name a few.

However, ask any casual fan to name the most successful driver of all and they're likely to come up with one answer: Michael Schumacher.

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A seven-time World Champion, the German's record of 91 race wins was only eclipsed by Lewis Hamilton last year but the debate rages on about whether Formula 1's current poster boy can be compared to the original record setter.

To celebrate the life and career of Schumacher, streaming service Netflix has commissioned a 110-minute long documentary which features unseen home movies, official footage and candid interviews with those close to Schumi.

Eponymously titled 'Schumacher', the film will look at his rise through karting, driving sportscars for Sauber, his initial Formula 1 success with Benetton – which helped him win titles in 1994 and 1995 – before his controversial move to Ferrari, which saw the Scuderia rebuilt to deliver five championships in a row between 2000 to 2004.

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From the short trailer posted to Twitter, we hear snippets of insights from Schumacher's wife Corinna, his daughter Gina and son Mick – who is currently racing in his debut season of Formula 1 for Haas after winning last year's Formula 2 championship.

Unfortunately, Michael has been unable to celebrate his son's achievements after suffering a near-fatal brain injury while skiing in late 2013, having been guarded from public life since with his family giving few updates on the legend's condition.

Current Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel will also feature, talking about how his hero inspired him to win four titles of his own, while other pundits from the paddock provide their points of view – including brother Ralf Schumacher and commentator James Allen.

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Schumacher's long-time manager Sabine Kehm said the film will be the family's legacy to the Formula 1 great.

“Michael Schumacher has redefined the professional image of a racing driver and has set new standards,” said Kehm.

“In his quest for perfection, he spared neither himself nor his team, driving them to the greatest successes. He is admired all over the world for his leadership qualities.

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"He found the strength for this task and the balance to recharge at home, with his family, whom he loves idolatrously.

“In order to preserve his private sphere as a source of strength, he has always rigorously and consistently separated his private from his public life. This film tells of both worlds. It is his family's gift to their beloved husband and father.”

While the Formula 1 community continues to rally around the Schumacher family, fans can relive the highs and lows of Michael Schumacher's career when the documentary launches on September 15, just over 30 years from his debut in 1991.