As passionate Formula 1 fans, we approached F1 The Movie with both excitement and apprehension. While it delivers some of the most breathtaking race sequences ever committed to film, it also takes notable creative liberties that may frustrate viewers familiar with the sport's intricacies. The result is a high-octane, emotionally charged sports drama that leans more on Hollywood spectacle than sticking close to its source material and the less you know about the sport, the better.
Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a once-promising F1 driver whose career was cut short in the 1990s following a career-ending crash. Decades later, Hayes is approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), now the principal of a struggling F1 team, APXGP. With just nine races left in the season, the team is desperate for points to avoid being sold and Sonny is their last ditch hope for a miracle.
Under the direction of Joseph Kosinski, the film’s greatest achievement lies in its visceral depiction of racing. Real-life F1 drivers, team environments, and actual racetracks lend a remarkable sense of realism to the racing sequences. The camera work captures the raw intensity of the sport that at times, it places viewers squarely inside the cockpit, with roaring engines and blurring speed bringing every moment to life. This probably captures the chaos and thrill of being one of these drivers.
However, this authenticity doesn’t always extend to the story. While the film succeeds as a rousing sports drama, its portrayal of the world of Formula 1 stretches believability for fans who know the rules of the sport. The narrative includes scenarios that feel exaggerated or even implausible. These dramatic flourishes, while effective for general audiences, may pull more knowledgeable fans out of the experience. The film also suffers from a bloated runtime. At over two and a half hours, F1 The Movie occasionally stretches some scenes unnecessarily, and certain plot threads could have benefited from tighter editing. That said, the emotional beats mostly land, thanks to strong performances particularly from Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem. The propulsive score by Hans Zimmer adds even more gravitas to every twist and turn. Ultimately, F1 The Movie is not a purist’s depiction of Formula 1, nor does it aim to be. Instead, it’s a stylized, emotionally driven narrative set against the backdrop of the world’s most elite motorsport. While it may not satisfy every fan’s expectations for realism, it offers an exhilarating cinematic experience with enough charm, character, and spectacle to cross the finish line on a high.
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F1 The Movie (2025) Movie Review: Formulaic Thrills
However, this authenticity doesn’t always extend to the story. While the film succeeds as a rousing sports drama, its portrayal of the world of Formula 1 stretches believability for fans who know the rules of the sport. The narrative includes scenarios that feel exaggerated or even implausible. These dramatic flourishes, while effective for general audiences, may pull more knowledgeable fans out of the experience. The film also suffers from a bloated runtime. At over two and a half hours, F1 The Movie occasionally stretches some scenes unnecessarily, and certain plot threads could have benefited from tighter editing. That said, the emotional beats mostly land, thanks to strong performances particularly from Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem. The propulsive score by Hans Zimmer adds even more gravitas to every twist and turn. Ultimately, F1 The Movie is not a purist’s depiction of Formula 1, nor does it aim to be. Instead, it’s a stylized, emotionally driven narrative set against the backdrop of the world’s most elite motorsport. While it may not satisfy every fan’s expectations for realism, it offers an exhilarating cinematic experience with enough charm, character, and spectacle to cross the finish line on a high.
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