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DAN Wheldon was a British motor racing sensation who sadly died in a fatal crash during an IndyCar race in Las Vegas.
More than a decade later, a documentary follows his two sons trying to make it as professional racing drivers and how their mother coped with the sudden loss of her husband.
AP:Associated PressWho are Dan Wheldon’s sons, Sebastian and Oliver?
Sebastian and Oliver both, like their father, are obsessed with racing.
Their dad Dan Wheldon was a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner before his untimely death at a race weekend in Las Vegas on October 16, 2011.
At the time, Sebastian was two years old, and young Oliver was seven months.
Now the two boys hope to follow in their father’s success in becoming world championship drivers.
In 2023, Sebastian started his first season of junior open-wheel racing.
The young prospect – who was born on February 1, 2009 – did not disappoint in his debut season, taking home six victories, 13 podiums and the drivers’ title in the Skip Barber Formula Racing Series.
Sebastian said: “This season was important, knowing that it was my rookie year, and first time ever in single-seaters, and I was able to get the championship.”
After winning the driver’s title, Sebastian is now preparing to take the next step in his career.
He will now race in the USF Junior Series and join a similar ladder system that propelled his father to racing glory in the late 1990s.
With the support of Dan’s title-winning IndyCar team, as well as, career advisement from Andretti and sponsorship backing, the future is looking bright for Sebastian.
His brother, Oliver, who was born in March 2011, is set to move from karting to open-wheel racing just like Sebastian.
In 2024, Oliver has joined the Skip Barber Formula Racing Series – and made his first podium finish on March 3.
The younger brother was only seven months old when his father passed away.
Oliver hopes to follow in his brother’s footsteps and claim the driver’s title in his first season of open-wheel racing.
Both Oliver and Sebastian are part of Andretti’s Autosport junior driver programme.
When the boys were asked about their favourite victory, Sebastian said: “Last weekend, when I won by 10 seconds.”
Oliver added: “It’s the next race I’m going to win.”
Who is Dan Wheldon’s wife, Susie Behm?
Susie Behm was Dan Wheldon’s long-time personal assistant before they tied the knot in 2008.
They had Sebastian and Oliver together and stayed married until the racing driver’s death at a race during the IZOD IndyCar World Championship in 2011.
More than a decade later, the St Petersburg resident’s widow remains determined to ensure Dan’s legacy lives on.
At first, Susie found it difficult to accept her sons wanted to be racing drivers like their dad, she claims.
However, she would never deny her children the dream of becoming professional racing drivers.
She said: “I knew from an early point that if they ever wanted to do that … I would at least give them the opportunity.”
Now, the mum of two is finding a joy of her own when she sees her sons dominating on a race track.
Life for the Wheldon’s in 2024 will be exciting with both boys progressing in their driving careers and it’ll be up to Susie to keep them on time and organised.
Susie has been a rock for the boys guiding them through the ups and downs in their racing careers.
What is Lionheart about?
The Lionheart focuses on the Wheldon family after Dan died in a fatal crash during a race.
His nickname was “The Lionheart”.
The documentary especially looks at the two sons pursuing the same career as their father and the effect that has on their mother, Susie.
The film premiered on March 12, 2024, on HBO, but viewers can also stream the programme on Max.
The emotional documentary shows the struggles of a single parent trying to raise two future athletes, as well as, the children’s passion for racing and winning.
It is evident in the film that the racing spirit of Dan has been passed down to his two sons.
You can watch a trailer for the documentary at the top of this article.
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