SPOILER FREE REVIEW

Synopsis: In the 1990s, Sonny Hayes was Formula 1's most promising driver until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, the owner of a struggling Formula 1 team convinces Sonny to return to racing and become the best in the world. Driving alongside the team's hotshot rookie, Sonny soon learns that the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.

The irresistible blend of speed, rivalry, and precision is exactly what director Joseph Kosinski captures in ‘F1: The Movie.’ Hitting theaters on June 27 before streaming on Apple TV+, the film joins a growing garage of racing movies — think ‘Rush,’ ‘Ford v Ferrari,’ and ‘Gran Turismo.’ But ‘F1’ separates itself from the pack with a unique mix of authenticity and storytelling flair.

Kosinski reteams with his ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ collaborators Ehren Kruger (screenwriter) and Claudio Miranda (cinematographer), who assist in crafting a high-octane tale centered on a comeback story: a retired racing icon returning to Formula 1 after decades away… Sonny Hayes.

Played with effortless charm by Brad Pitt, we’re introduced to a character who’s interested in the thrill of the drive more so than the champagne that follows. With retirement inevitable, his fate shifts gears when the charismatic Reuben (Javier Bardem - an old teammate-turned-team owner) urges Sonny to join his struggling F1 outfit, APXGP, as a mentor to a promising young driver, Joshua Pearce (played by a magnetic Damson Idris).

Sonny’s hesitant; haunted by a devastating crash in Spain 30 years earlier. Of course, after some convincing and desperation, Sonny agrees to Reuben’s vision.

The film not only does well in exploring character dynamics and motivations, but how the sport itself has changed for modern times. Drivers have to be influencers as much as athletes, and Joshua, carries the weight of both representation and performance. He’s a confident figure, while carrying some abrasive traits that protect him in a world where he’s still an outsider.

Lewis Hamilton, F1’s real-life trailblazer and only Black driver, served as a producer on the film and appears as himself. His brief but powerful scene locking eyes with Joshua before a race says more than words could about the realities of inclusion — or lack thereof — in motorsport.

While Kruger’s script touches on issues of diversity and generational tension, it sometimes stops short of digging deeper. The relationship between Sonny and Joshua follows familiar beats: old guard meets rising star, friction turns to respect. But it’s elevated by standout performances, especially Idris, who imbues Joshua with a simmering mix of swagger and vulnerability. A few key scenes with his mother Bernadette (a commanding Sarah Niles) add welcome depth — she’s fierce, proud, and unwilling to let her son forget where he came from or who paved the way.

Sonny and Joshua’s rocky partnership becomes the heart of the film, forged through engine failures, near misses, and moments of grudging respect. Their dynamic is mirrored by the rest of the APXGP team, including a standout Kerry Condon as Kate McKenna, the team’s trailblazing lead engineer. There’s also Kim Bodnia as the gruff team principal and Tobias Menzies playing a corporate shark who’s always calculating the odds.

Kosinski’s direction shines brightest during the race sequences — similar to how ‘Top Gun: Maverick’s’ best moments were in the sky. Over an 18-month shoot embedded in actual Grand Prix events, Pitt and Idris drove real F1 cars as Kosinski and Miranda pushed the visual envelope by literally mounting cameras inside the cockpit to simulate the heart-pounding intensity of driving 200+ mph inches from disaster. And you feel all of it. It’s thrilling, immersive filmmaking at it’s absolute best, and elevated by an electric score by Hans Zimmer.

The film’s technical precision is impressive — from pit stops executed in seconds to the use of real racing simulators that blur the line between practice and performance. Sure, there are moments that stretch believability, but in a sport this intense, the line between fiction and reality is already razor-thin.

Cameos from real-life drivers like Verstappen, Leclerc, and Norris add extra realism — which will be a highlight for fans of Formula 1.

‘F1: The Movie’ is less about the destination and more about the drive, redemption, reinvention, and the bonds that form under extreme pressure. It’s a gripping ride that honors the spectacle of Formula 1 while giving us characters worth rooting for.

‘F1’ is an essential IMAX viewing experience, with its foot firmly on the gas. This is without a doubt, one of the most impressive films of 2025.

Our score: ★★★★½
(out of 5 stars)

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