Name: F1 The Movie (2025)
Genre: Action, Sport
Released: 2025-06-27
Rating: 7.3
Cast: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, Tobias Menzies

F1 The Movie is a sports drama that follows Sonny Hayes, a retired Formula 1 driver. After suffering a massive crash in the 1990s, Sonny is recruited by a struggling team owner to mentor and team up with a young racing prodigy named Joshua Pierce. 

F1 The Movie (2025)

Bollywood Hungama

Times of India

Pinkvilla

Firstpost

Joseph Kosinski and Ehren Kruger's story is excellent and a little different from the usual underdog stories. Ehren Kruger's screenplay is not pacy like the cars in the film but ensures that it keeps the viewers captivated. The dialogues pack a punch. Many one-liners are sarcastic and add to the entertainment.

Joseph Kosinski's direction is exemplary. In recent times, he has executed TOP GUN: MAVERICK [2022] and TWISTERS [2024]. These and F1: THE MOVIE all have an adventurous streak but at the same time, they belong to diverse worlds. Hence, Joseph also has executed them accordingly. One of the aspects that is very striking is that those who are ignorant about the world depicted in the film might feel that it’s a biopic. Expect many viewers to Google about the characters only to realize that it’s a fictional flick. The conflict is well thought of and the character of Sonny takes the cake. One can't predict what he'll do during the race to hit back at his opponents. The turn of events just before the intermission is shocking and increases the drama and tension. The climax is nail-biting and is quite hatke as well.

On the flipside, to keep the authenticity, the makers haven’t dumbed down on the usage of race-related terms. The race aficionados won’t have a problem with it but a majority of the viewers, who are unaware of the world of F1, might struggle in a few places to comprehend the dialogues. Some of the tricks used by Sonny on the field will also be a challenge for them to decipher. In the middle, the film stagnates a bit. The run time of 155 minutes is also a bit too much. The product placement adds to the realism but is an eyesore in some scenes. Lastly, this is not a mass-appealing film and this can affect its box office outcome to some extent.
Brad Pitt effortlessly plays the part. He's very charming and makes sure he pleases not just the characters in the film but also the audience in the cinema hall. Javier Bardem is apt for the part and performance-wise, he's first-rate. Damson Idris leaves a huge mark, despite the presence of such top stars. Kerry Condon is impressive. Sarah Niles (Bernadette; Joshua's mother) is memorable. Kim Bodnia, Will Merrick, Abdul Salis, Callie Cooke (Jodie), Samson Kayo (Cash; Joshua's manager), Tobias Menzies (Peter Banning; investor) and Simon Kunz (Don; journalist) are memorable. Luciano Bacheta (Luca Cortez) gets no scope. Lastly, the cameos by real-life F1 drivers and personnel will be lapped up by the fans.
On the whole, F1: THE MOVIE provides a gripping, captivating experience to the viewers. This is not a film for home viewing and should be experienced only on the big screen. While it may not cater to conventional mass tastes, its high-octane storytelling and cinematic scale are bound to drive strong box office numbers, especially in the IMAX screens.


Sports films consistently hit it out of the park, delivering thrill, action, and compelling narratives fueled by determination, grit, and underdog spirit. Pairing a has-been (or never-was) sporting figure clashing with new-blood rebellion is a sure-fire formula for an entertaining and engaging watch. Fresh off the success of Top Gun: Maverick, director Joseph Kosinski brings together all these elements in a high-octane tale that hinges on incredible realism and breathtaking race-track action.
Ruben’s team is at the fag end in the F1 competition, and risks being sold off if they don't secure at least one win this season. Sonny has the experience, but is reluctant to return after 30 years, with personal demons of a gambling habit and failed marriages. He races not to win but for the sheer joy of it. He is meant to tame the raw and rebellious Joshua, but finds himself pitted against the younger driver. Their clash and the journey of beating the odds drive the rest of the story. At its core, the plot is formulaic, leaning heavily on the tried-and-tested underdog trope.
The stand-out feature here is the realism on the racing track. Filmed on actual F1 circuits during race weekends, the movie throws viewers straight into the cockpit and the stands with adrenaline-filled sequences that will leave you gasping. However, it occasionally leans too heavily on technicalities. Unless one is well-versed in the finer points of racing—like starting formations or aerodynamic fittings—some moments may feel a bit overwhelming or hard to follow.
Much of the thrill also comes from the underdog team relying on ingenuity and sheer will to survive, as they take on giants like Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull. The behind-the-scenes chaos—the media circus, forced camaraderie with rival racers, and the corporate politics—adds a compelling layer that many viewers may not be familiar with.
Kosinski’s excellent direction and Claudio Miranda’s cinematography make every racing scene here visceral and immersive, especially because the filmmakers have abstained from using digital effects. Hans Zimmer’s music ensures the thrill crescendos in every scene.
Brad Pitt nails the role of a driver with laid-back arrogance, shining in every scene—whether he’s strutting in with retro swagger or brushing off the media with monosyllabic replies. Don’t miss the finale, where it’s just him in the cockpit, the world around him fading into silence—what he calls ‘flying.’ Damson Idris is equally compelling as the new-age driver, skillfully balancing raw talent with the modern demands of social media and public presence. Kerry Condon as Kate McKenna stands her ground as the APXGP technical director who’s trying to prove her mettle in the male bastion. Javier Bardem, as the flamboyant and desperate team owner, injects the narrative with charm.
Even if you know what the outcome will be, you will be on the edge of your seat with bated breath and heart racing. The experience can be best enjoyed on the big screen.

The racing scenes in F1 are, needless to say, a standout. They’re filmed with precision. When the drivers are in action, every race feel real and intense. Hans Zimmer’s background score adds energy and matches the fast-paced action, perfectly. The film captures the pressure of F1 racing. The quick decisions and dangerous moments keep you glued to the screen. The off-track drama, especially the evolving bond between Sonny and Joshua, gives the story its much needed depth. Kosinski’s direction is technically impressive. Sharp cinematography and smooth editing make the races enthralling to watch. Lastly, the presence of F1 greats like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen make the movie experience feel all the more authentic.
Brad Pitt shines as the charming but intense Sonny. He portrays a seasoned driver with confidence and emotional weight. Damson Idris is enjoyable to watch as Joshua. The camaraderie between Brad Pitt and Damson Idris gives the film its most exciting moments.
Javier Bardem delivers a solid performance as Ruben. He is among the pick of the actors in this racing movie. Kerry Condon is excellent as Kate. Supporting actors do well.
F1 is an exhilerating and exciting film with impressive visuals and gripping background score. The racing sequences and character relationships make it worth watching. While its long runtime, predictable story, and uneven commentary hold it back a bit, F1 still classifies as a very able film that can best be enjoyed on an IMAX screen. Fans of Formula 1 will enjoy it, not just for the film that F1 is but also because they will get to see their favourite racers on the big screen.

After delivering larger-than-life movies like Tron: Legacy and Top Gun: Maverick, among others, director Joseph Kosinski returns with F1, which promises to be a big-screen visual spectacle. While the promos looked nothing less than pure cinema, let’s see whether it lives up to the sky-high expectations of movie lovers.

The plot begins with Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) entering the Daytona oval after splashing water on his face and quickly making his way into the team’s car for the 24-hour race, where he goes from 0 to 180 mph in a minute.
Hayes, who was once a phenomenon in the F1 world, crashed out of it decades earlier and is now racing any vehicle, including even a taxi. He is approached by his former teammate and old friend, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), to join his F1 team APX GP, which is struggling big time in the racing world. While first Hayes refuses it, he eventually agrees.
The team’s young rookie driver Joshua “JP” Pearce (Damson Idris) is called a ‘shitbox’ because he failed to score even a single point in Formula One. While the whole APX GP team is sceptical of Hayes, it turns out to be more chaotic as his lap time turns out to be slower than JP’s, followed by a brutal crash at the open track.
As Principal Kaspar Smolinski (Kim Bodnia) and Technical Director Kate McKenna (Kerry Condon) have a big task to make sure Sonny and the team finish in the top 10 in the next 9 races for the survival of APX GP.

In this journey, the clash between Joshua and Hayes takes centre stage, and how their bond develops with an emotional eruption of an underdog winner narrates the crux of F1.

First things first, F1 is a technical masterpiece, and I would like to urge everyone to watch it on the biggest screen possible and preferably IMAX. The importance of verisimilitude is seen in every frame, with DoP Claudio Miranda brilliantly and skillfully bringing the world of F1 to life. Right from racing tracks to cockpit shots, Miranda makes you feel of witnessing F1 races with high thrills and drama. Hans Zimmer’s music takes the movie to the next level because of its blistering rhythm.
Joseph Kosinski once again delivers a cinematic visual spectacle, which is not only immersive but also blissful.

Talking about the performances, Pitt carries the film with his swag and charm and the underlayered emotions, which is a treat to your eyes. Damson is pitch-perfect as Joshua, with Javier Bardem acing his character with finesse and ease. Kerry Condon’s natural screen presence is magnificent.

On the whole, F1 is easily one of the best films of the year with hands-down technical brilliance.

William Bradley Pitt (born December 18, 1963) is an American actor and film producer. He is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and two Golden Globe Awards for his acting, in addition to a second Academy Award, a second British Academy Film Award, a third Golden Globe Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award as a producer under his production company, Plan B Entertainment.

Brad Pitt

Kerry Condon is an Irish actress who has appeared in several popular TV shows. She is best known as the voice of “ F.R.I.D.A.Y.” in several Marvel films. She made her first film appearance in the on-screen adaptation of  Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes. Condon is the youngest actress to have played the role of Ophelia in in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Hamlet.

Kerry Condon

Damson Idris

Javier Ángel Encinas Bardem is a Spanish actor. Known for his roles in blockbusters and foreign films, he has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and a Golden Globe Award. 

Javier Bardem

Tobias Menzies

Kim Bodnia

F1 is a sports drama that follows Sonny Hayes, a retired Formula 1 driver. After suffering a massive crash in the 1990s, Sonny is recruited by a struggling team owner to mentor and team up with a young racing prodigy named Joshua Pierce. 

F1 The Movie (2025)(2025)