“F1” (2025)

Drama

Running Time: 155 minutes

Written by: Ehren Kruger

Directed by: Joseph Kosinski

Featuring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem and Tobias Menzies

Sonny Hayes: “We do what everybody does, we lose.”

Joseph Kosinski’s highly anticipated film, F1, delivers on the promise of a visceral, immersive, and truly cinematic racing experience. Fresh off the runaway success of Top Gun: Maverick, Kosinski once again proves his mastery of practical filmmaking and heart-pounding action, making F1 a must-see on the biggest screen possible. While the narrative may lean heavily on familiar sports movie tropes, the sheer spectacle and authenticity of the racing sequences elevate the film far beyond a simple underdog story.

The film follows the journey of Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a washed-up former Formula One prodigy whose career was cut short by a brutal crash thirty years prior. After a nomadic life as a hired-gun racer, he’s given an unexpected second chance by his former teammate, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), now the owner of the struggling APXGP racing team. Sonny is tasked with a dual mission: to help save the team from financial ruin and to mentor its arrogant, hotshot rookie driver, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris).

The dynamic between Pitt and Idris is the heart of the movie. Pitt, with his effortless, laid-back charisma, embodies the role of the seasoned veteran who races for the love of the sport, not for fame or fortune. He’s a stark contrast to Idris’s Joshua, a young driver obsessed with his public image and social media presence. Their clash of personalities, and their eventual understanding and cooperation, is the central narrative arc, and both actors deliver compelling performances that sell the emotional journey. Javier Bardem is a delight as the passionate and desperate team owner, and Kerry Condon is a standout as the no-nonsense technical director trying to prove herself in a male-dominated field.

However, the real star of the show is the racing itself. Kosinski and his crew, with the unprecedented cooperation of Formula 1, have created a new benchmark for racing films. Shot on location during real Grand Prix weekends in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the film’s on-board shots and action sequences are breathtakingly real. You are placed directly in the cockpit, feeling every turn, every jolt, and every near miss. The sounds of the engines, the screaming tires, and the roar of the crowd are a symphony of speed, masterfully orchestrated by Hans Zimmer’s dynamic score. The film successfully captures the intense speed, danger, and precision of F1, making it a truly immersive experience for both die-hard fans and newcomers to the sport.

For F1 enthusiasts, the film is a treasure trove of authentic details and cameos. Real F1 drivers like Lewis Hamilton (who also served as a producer), Max Verstappen, and Charles Leclerc, among many others, appear in the film, adding to its documentary-like feel. Sky Sports commentators David Croft and Martin Brundle lend their voices to the in-race commentary, grounding the fictional racing in the real world of the sport.

The film’s commitment to realism is both a strength and, for some, a weakness. While the racing sequences are top-tier, the plot can feel constrained by the realities of the sport. The idea of a back-of-the-grid team securing a win in a single season is a long shot, and some of the narrative choices, particularly concerning the fictional team’s car and on-track strategies, may stretch the credulity of dedicated F1 fans. There are moments where the film’s reliance on certain dramatic cliches and a predictable storyline may leave viewers wanting a more profound or original tale, a criticism that has been leveled at other acclaimed sports films.

Despite these minor narrative shortcomings, F1 is a powerful, entertaining, and visually spectacular movie. It’s a testament to the power of practical effects and a clear demonstration of what a skilled director can achieve with the right access and technology. The film flies by despite its two-and-a-half-hour runtime, leaving you exhilarated and perhaps even inspired to delve into the world of Formula 1. It may not be a cinematic masterpiece on the level of something like Ford v Ferrari or Rush, but as a pure, adrenaline-fueled summer blockbuster, F1 takes the checkered flag.