We have seen this underdog sports story many times before. The aging veteran. The stubborn young prodigy. The second chance. The mentorship arc. None of it is new. 

But F1: The Movie (2025) somehow makes all of it feel enthralling again. This will surely feel like a Top Gun: Maverick with Formula 1 cars. Loud, slick, predictable but entertaining to the core. Joseph Kosinski, the director, one of the most consistent hard hitters from modern-day Hollywood, having directed Tron: Legacy, Oblivion, and of course Top Gun Maverick, has formulated a blockbuster spectacle again with F1. 

In a time where movies are drowning in weightless CGI and superhero noise, Kosinski keeps things tactile and visceral. Through F1, the producers at Warner Bros. and Apple have specifically collaborated with Formula 1 in order to ensure that this is as authentic of an experience for moviegoers as possible so much so that F1 purists won’t scoff or roll their eyes at the series of events that take place.

The center of the show is Brad Pitt, who goes into full movie star mode.

He plays as Sonny Hayes, an aged hotshot race car driver of yesteryear. However, there is some respite as his best friend, former teammate, and current owner of the Apex GP F1 team, Ruben, played by Javier Bardem, recruits him. Ruben acknowledges his prowess as a driver, but the team is desperate, facing severe financial trouble, and his job is on the line. They must win just one race out of the nine remaining. How Sonny Hayes, old dog of the sport at this point, assimilates with the team specifically with their young talent Joshua Pierce, played by Damson Idris, and how they cope with the season forms the basic premise of F1: The Movie.

Pitt’s role is not particularly demanding, but he absolutely nails the vibe of the film.  He carries the film with pure charisma, what he does best in most of his cinema catalogs.

Talking about the movie, this isn’t going to give you exceptionally out-of-the-box storytelling, and the substance of the film is not that deep, but it will keep you on edge of the seat throughout the running minute. The cinematography and the racing scenes are genuinely something to marvel at. It constantly tries to capture attention through hundreds of reaction shots. Actors being shot at the real location, with real cars, elevates the experience even more. 

One moment you are in the cockpit, feeling every gear shift and vibration. The next moment you are watching from the sidelines like a TV broadcast. Then suddenly the camera pulls you right back into the chaos of a tight corner or near collision. It keeps the adrenaline running throughout the film.

The sound design plays a huge part in that experience. The roar of the engine, screeching tires and the commentary outside of the track makes you feel like fast cars really go zoom, whoosh and whizz. Then Hans Zimmer comes in and turns the whole thing up another level. I mean, you have a master at play doing what he does best. When the music kicks in during the big racing moments, the movie feels massive.

Damson Idris works well as the young hotshot driver who clashes with Brad’s character. The mentor versus protege tension gives the movie its emotional backbone. The role of Kerry Condon also helps to make the film more interesting.

If you are a hardcore F1 fan, it adds another layer of fun, seeing cameos of real drivers like Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, and Lewis Hamilton. It gives a nice touch of authenticity. Hamilton also co-produced the film, which probably explains why the racing world feels so alive. The cameos are cool if you recognize them, but they never dominate the story.

In some ways, the closest parallel I can think of is the movie Rush (2013). Although, Rush is superior in terms of narrative and depth. It was about the personalities behind the wheel. On the other hand, F1 is more focused on pure speed and spectacle.

On the whole, F1: the movie is a crowd-pleasing, feel-good, and blockbuster with old-school heroes to root for. For two hours and thirty-five minutes, the film pulls you into the cockpit and the blur of racing cars. And don’t miss the final lap of the film, it will remind you exactly what cinema is meant to do.