HBO reveals release date for heartbreaking Dan Wheldon docu 'The Lionheart'

Dan Wheldon, the renowned British racing driver, met a tragic end on October 16, 2011.

PUBLISHED FEB 28, 2024

Dan Wheldon, driver of the #98 William Rast-Curb/Big Machine Dallara Honda gestures during the 95th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race Trophy Presentation at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 30, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Los Angeles, California (Release): The HBO sports documentary 'The Lionheart', directed and produced by filmmaker Laura Brownson ('The Rachel Divide'), debuts Tuesday, March 12 at 9pm ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.

What is 'The Lionheart' about?

In 2011, two-time Indianapolis 500 champion, Dan Wheldon, nicknamed 'The Lionheart', died in a horrific crash at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, shaking the world of motorsports to its core. Ten years later, Dan’s two sons, Sebastian and Oliver, follow in their father’s footsteps as they work through their loss the only way they know how – getting behind the wheel to race.

'The Lionheart' blends archival footage with vérité storytelling to weave together two distinct narratives: Dan’s storied career in the past and the present day lives of Dan’s widow Susie and sons Sebastian and Oliver. As Susie grapples with her grief and the responsibility of raising their sons alone, the two boys, ages 12 and 10, take on their father’s mantle and enter the world of professional racing.

As an epic sports story unfolds within the ongoing intergenerational family drama, the film explores Susie’s dilemma as a mother who questions whether her family’s lineage is a blessing or a burden while watching her sons, with the high-risk sport deeply embedded in their DNA, try to reconcile their father’s absence by embracing the very sport that took him from them.

What happened to Dan Wheldon?

Dan Wheldon, the renowned British racing driver, met a tragic end on October 16, 2011, during the IndyCar Series race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Competing in a high-speed, close-quarters race, Wheldon was involved in a devastating 15-car pileup that claimed his life at the age of 33. The crash occurred when Wheldon's car became airborne and struck the catch fence, causing catastrophic injuries. Despite the efforts of emergency responders and medical teams, Wheldon succumbed to his injuries shortly after the accident.