F1: The Movie (2025) – Full Guide

F1: The Movie is a 2025 American sports drama film about the thrilling and dangerous world of Formula 1 racing. It stars Brad Pitt in the lead role and is directed by Joseph Kosinski, who is known for his work on Top Gun: Maverick. The film is produced by Apple Original Films in partnership with Formula 1, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Plan B Entertainment, which is Brad Pitt’s production company.

This film is special because it was made with real F1 teams and during real Grand Prix races. The filmmakers used actual race tracks and cars, giving the movie a realistic and exciting look. It brings together sports, emotion, speed, and storytelling in a way that Formula 1 fans have never seen before on screen.

Story and Plot

The movie follows Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 driver who left the sport after a serious crash years ago. Now in his fifties, Sonny is asked to come back—not just to drive, but to mentor a young and talented rookie driver. The rookie’s name is Joshua Pearce, played by rising star Damson Idris.

Sonny returns to the world of Formula 1 by joining a fictional team called APXGP. This is a small, struggling team at the back of the grid. They are not winning, they don’t have the best cars, and they are fighting just to survive in the world’s fastest sport. But with Sonny’s experience and Pearce’s youth and passion, they begin to rise through the ranks.

As the season progresses, the team faces many challenges—technical problems, competition from bigger teams, tension between drivers, and personal struggles. The movie shows both the glamour and danger of Formula 1, along with the personal journeys of the characters. It’s not just about racing; it’s also about courage, teamwork, and never giving up.

Cast and Characters

Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes – A retired F1 champion making a comeback.
Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce – A young rookie driver mentored by Hayes.
Kerry Condon – Plays the team’s technical director, managing cars and strategy.
Javier Bardem – Plays the team principal, responsible for running APXGP.
Tobias Menzies, Sarah Niles, and Kim Bodnia – Play key support roles in the F1 team.
Lewis Hamilton – Real F1 driver, also a producer of the movie and helped with technical advice.
Several real-life Formula 1 drivers and teams appear in the background, as the movie was shot during real F1 races.

Real Racing, Real Tracks

One of the most exciting parts of this movie is that it was filmed during real Formula 1 races in 2023 and 2024. The APXGP team had a real car that was placed on the F1 grid. Brad Pitt and Damson Idris even wore real F1-style racing suits and walked through the actual pit lanes. Some scenes were shot at:

Silverstone Circuit in the UK
Hungaroring in Hungary
Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium
Circuit of the Americas in the USA
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in UAE

This level of realism has never been seen before in a sports movie. The cars were fitted with special cameras to give the audience a real driver’s-eye view of the speed and intensity of Formula 1.

Release Date

The film was officially released on June 27, 2025, in the United States and many other countries. Before that, it premiered in New York City on June 16 and opened internationally on June 25. It is available in both IMAX and standard cinemas, giving fans the option to experience the race action on the biggest screen possible.

A streaming release is expected later in late 2025 on Apple TV+, since Apple is one of the lead production companies.

Behind the Scenes

The director Joseph Kosinski is known for making visually powerful action films, like Tron: Legacy and Top Gun: Maverick. For F1: The Movie, he used the same team that worked on Top Gun, including:

Claudio Miranda, the cinematographer, who used new camera technology for racing shots.
Ehren Kruger, who wrote the screenplay.
Jerry Bruckheimer, one of the most famous action film producers.

Brad Pitt, who is not a professional racer, trained with real F1 professionals to learn how to drive safely for the film. He even drove a modified Formula 2 car built especially for the movie.

Music and Sound

The film’s music matches the energy and speed of Formula 1. It includes a mix of electronic, orchestral, and rock music, composed by professionals who also worked on Top Gun: Maverick. The sound design captures the roar of engines, the tension of pit stops, and the thrill of overtaking at 300 km/h.

Reviews and Response

So far, F1: The Movie has received strong reviews from both critics and fans. People have praised:

The realistic racing footage
Brad Pitt’s performance
The emotional storyline
The mentorship between Hayes and Pearce
The behind-the-scenes look at the F1 world

Formula 1 fans especially appreciate how the movie respects the sport’s real environment and doesn’t fake the action.

Critics have said the film is more than just a racing movie — it’s about second chances, teamwork, and proving yourself when the world doubts you.

Connection to Real Formula 1

The film has a deep connection to real F1 racing. Lewis Hamilton, 7-time world champion, is a producer and advisor. He helped ensure the racing scenes were accurate and respectful to the sport. F1 gave full support, including:

Real race access
Pit lane filming rights
Use of actual team garages

Real teams like Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari appear in the background of the racing scenes, adding to the authenticity.

Is It Based on a True Story?

No, F1: The Movie is not based on a true story. However, the idea of an older driver returning to the sport is inspired by real-life F1 legends like Niki Lauda, Fernando Alonso, and Kimi Räikkönen, who all made successful comebacks.

The APXGP team is fictional, but the struggles they face—lack of sponsorship, slow car, low rankings—are very real in the F1 world.

Final Thoughts

F1: The Movie (2025) is one of the most exciting sports films ever made. It blends real Formula 1 action with a powerful fictional story about mentorship, comeback, and chasing dreams at high speed.

If you are a Formula 1 fan, this movie is a must-watch. Even if you don’t follow the sport, the story and visuals will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The movie doesn’t just show how fast F1 cars go—it shows the emotions behind every driver, every team, and every turn of the track.

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