A Blockbuster Lap Around the Track
The much-anticipated F1 movie has finally hit the big screen, and while it’s not exactly championship-winning cinema, it absolutely delivers where it counts. Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, with Lewis Hamilton as both consultant and producer, this film delivers a Hollywood-sized ode to Formula 1 with all the speed, spectacle, and drama fans crave.
So, what makes the F1 movie tick, and where does it skid off track? Let’s dive in.
A Technical Triumph with Real Track Action
The first thing that hits you is the realism. Kosinski and Bruckheimer didn’t cut corners. They put Brad Pitt and Damson Idris in purpose-built Formula 2 cars, trained them to drive at racing speeds, and captured the action using custom-made, lightweight IMAX cameras. The crew even worked with the Mercedes-AMG F1 team to build cars designed specifically for shooting. As Bruckheimer noted, “We wouldn’t have made it [without Formula 1], quite frankly.”
You can tell.
The track scenes are immersive, thrilling, and, at times, jaw-dropping. It’s not just fast-paced editing; it’s real footage captured on real F1 weekends with real drivers and actual team principals making cameos. Watching Sonny Hayes and Joshua Pearce tear down the straights of Monza or dodge through Abu Dhabi’s tight corners makes for visually stunning cinema.
A scene from the movie
Lewis Hamilton’s Fingerprints Are Everywhere
Lewis Hamilton’s involvement wasn’t just a token. According to Brad Pitt, Hamilton’s input shaped everything from driving techniques to story details, right down to how the steering wheel works and which gear the car should be in at certain turns. “We drew on him a lot,” Pitt said. “It had to pass his smell test.”
Hamilton’s racing knowledge ensured that even in a fictional universe, the F1 movie maintains some grip on reality. His presence helped bridge the gap between racing drama and Hollywood fiction, something many fans will appreciate.
Lewis Hamilton [Credit: Clive Mason / Getty Images]
Hollywood vs. Racing Realism
That said, this isn’t a documentary. And some of the storytelling will make motorsport purists roll their eyes.
Sonny Hayes, Pitt’s character, transitions back into Formula 1 after decades away, with barely a full test lap under his belt. One now-infamous line, “We need to build our car for combat,” practically begs for a facepalm. It’s Hollywood hyperbole at its finest.
Even with Hamilton’s guidance, the film can’t resist indulging in over-the-top crashes and melodrama. There’s one particular accident that feels entirely out of step with the otherwise grounded tone, a clear nod to spectacle over substance.
Character Arcs and Missed Opportunities
The character development in the F1 movie feels like a pit stop — quick, functional, and not particularly deep. Sonny Hayes is charismatic but underdeveloped. His teammate Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris, shows more evolution, but it’s still a formulaic arc.
The most disappointing aspect? The female characters. Kerry Condon’s role as technical director Kate McKenna starts strong, the first woman in such a position in F1, but she’s reduced to a love interest by mid-film. Pit crew member Jodie is portrayed as clumsy and error-prone. For a film released in 2025, these tropes feel lazy and outdated.
Kerry Condon [Credit: Dylan Coulter]
The Verdict: Worth the Ride
Despite its narrative stumbles, the F1 movie gets the big things right. The racing sequences are visceral and beautifully shot, thanks to cutting-edge tech and relentless commitment to realism. If you can suspend disbelief and look past the clichés, you’ll have a good time.
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This isn’t a game-changing sports drama like Rush or Ford v Ferrari, but it’s a step forward for motorsport in mainstream cinema. The F1 movie captures the essence of Formula 1 — its noise, its speed, its glamour, and delivers it with blockbuster flair.
You won’t find a masterclass in screenwriting, but you will experience a high-octane thrill ride. And for most fans, that’s more than enough.
