F1: The Movie (2025)

Dir: Joseph Kosinski

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

This feature length advertisement for F1 is ironically formulaic in its storytelling, but some exhilarating race sequences and a charismatic Brad Pitt make for a breath-taking cinematic experience

Since the release of “Rocky” in 1976, the underdog sports story has become a common theme in Hollywood. The feel-good storytelling of the boxing film has transcended multiple sports and genres. The latest film aiming to capitalize on this winning formula is “F1,” a nostalgic cinematic experience reminiscent of the 1990s.

Tom Cruise has made one of the great comeback stories in the industry over the years. After facing scrutiny in the mid-2000s due to his personal life and controversial advocacy for Scientology, his box office appeal began to decline. Determined to revive his career, Cruise took it upon himself to produce and star in expertly crafted yet familiar action blockbusters. The “Mission: Impossible” series remains strong, with its eighth installment hitting cinemas this year. However, the most significant success of Cruise’s recent career is the long-awaited sequel “Top Gun: Maverick.” Although the original “Top Gun” was panned by critics upon its release in 1986, it became a huge commercial success and remains one of Cruise’s most beloved films. Consequently, the sequel, released in 2022, has become the highest-grossing film of Cruise’s career, earning an impressive $1.5 billion worldwide.

The team behind “Top Gun: Maverick” aims to recreate this success with “F1,” with director Joseph Kosinski and much of the creative and technical team returning. One notable difference is in the driver’s seat: Tom Cruise is surprisingly absent and has been replaced by another Hollywood megastar, Brad Pitt. Marketed as “F1: The Movie,” the film could be seen as a marketing ploy to boost the popularity of auto racing, a sport that has struggled to regain its global success in the United States. However, with the success of the Netflix documentary “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” and the addition of a street race track in Las Vegas, viewership has been increasing in the U.S. The bigwigs of Formula 1 will be hoping that Kosinski and Pitt can draw even more fans to the sport.

Almost serving as a spiritual sequel to Tom Cruise’s 1990 racing film, “Days of Thunder”, “F1” introduces us to aging American racing driver Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt). Sonny plays a crucial role in his Porsche team’s victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Once a promising Formula 1 driver, he suffered a near-fatal crash while racing for Lotus in 1990, leading to his retirement and a subsequent struggle with a gambling addiction.

After his Daytona win, Sonny is approached by his former Lotus teammate, Ruben (Javier Bardem), who now owns the APXGP Formula 1 team. This team has yet to score a single point in its brief history in the World Championship. Ruben reveals that the board is threatening to shut down his team unless they secure a win in one of the final nine Grand Prix races of the current season. He offers Sonny a seat in one of his cars.

During a test session at Silverstone, Sonny meets the APXGP team, including team principal Kasper (Kim Bodnia), technical director Kate (Kerry Condon), and his fellow driver, ambitious British rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris). As Sonny struggles to integrate into the team, his old-school, nonconformist attitude clashes with the more technology-driven approach of modern Formula 1. Consequently, the team continues to face challenges on race days.

Like all great comeback and underdog stories, both Sonny and Joshua must overcome their differences both on and off the track to help save the careers of everyone involved with the fictional APXGP team.

If you were unaware that “F1” was created by the same team behind “Top Gun: Maverick”, you’ll quickly notice it when you see Brad Pitt getting behind the wheel in one of the film’s electrifying racing sequences. Joseph Kosinski and cinematographer Claudio Miranda replicate the technical achievements of the airborne action drama by strategically placing cameras in remarkable locations within the driver’s cockpit. Every racing scene in “F1”, from Daytona to the Dubai Grand Prix, was filmed on location during the racing season, with cleverly positioned cameras capturing the atmosphere and adrenaline that drivers experience while speeding around the track.

While “F1” may not be classified as an action film, the intensity and relentlessness of the racing scenes are as thrilling as any action sequence you might see on the big screen. Even as someone who isn’t a Formula 1 fan, this feature-length marketing campaign managed to immerse me in a sport I previously had little interest in. I actually watched the film in 4DX at my local cinema, and I was constantly thrown around as Pitt and Idris’ characters faced real-life drivers over the course of nine races. I highly recommend experiencing it in 4D. However, if you find that too intense, I suggest watching it in IMAX instead to fully appreciate some of the best technical filmmaking of recent years.

I am curious to hear what fans of the sport think about the film. There is a significant amount of exposition provided, primarily by real-life Formula 1 commentators Martin Brundle and David Croft, who continuously explain the technical aspects of the sport. While some might see this as talking down to the audience—which could irritate those who are well-versed in F1— I found it engaging. For someone like me, who doesn’t fully understand the nuances of red flag pit stops or what a virtual safety car is, their explanations kept me interested rather than overwhelmed by confusing jargon.

The similarities between Brad Pitt’s latest film “F1” and Tom Cruise’s NASCAR drama “Days of Thunder” as well as “Top Gun: Maverick” are immediately apparent. Despite the absence of Cruise, Pitt proves to be a compelling and charming leading man. Setting aside the controversies surrounding his personal life, it is undeniable that Pitt is one of the most iconic and charismatic actors of the past thirty years. Alongside Cruise, he remains one of the few true Hollywood A-listers. From the very first frame to the last, Pitt’s natural charisma lights up the screen, making it easy to believe that a 61-year-old could effortlessly take the wheel of a Formula 1 car.

The cast as a whole does a solid job, despite the limited depth of their characters. Kerry Condon consistently delivers a sensational performance, while Damson Idris is a charismatic lead alongside the more seasoned Pitt. One performance that was slightly off-putting was Tobias Menzies as a pompous, money-driven board member of the APXGP team. He delivers some of the most cringeworthy dialogue, designed to create a character for the audience to dislike in a film that lacks a true villain. This issue lies more with the script, which does the bare minimum to advance the story until we are treated to the next breath-taking racing scene.

The irony of this film is that, narratively, it is quite formulaic—it does not reinvent the wheel when it comes to underdog stories or comeback arcs, similar to the aging Sonny Hayes’s journey. It follows the familiar template established by “Rocky” almost fifty years ago. Fortunately, there is just enough to keep you engaged between the racing sequences, which are the movie’s standout feature and worth the price of admission on their own. The exhilarating Hans Zimmer score complements the breakneck action perfectly.

The Verdict:

With some of the best racing sequences ever captured on film, this “F1” serves as an exhilarating, feel-good summer blockbuster that doubles as a glorified advertisement for auto racing. Brad Pitt delivers a charismatic performance behind the wheel, allowing the audience to sit back and appreciate the remarkable technical achievement crafted by Joseph Kosinski and his team. Although the narrative may feel familiar, the experience is undeniably enjoyable.

F1 is now showing in UK Cinemas.

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