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F1 Movie Review

Released: 27th June 2025 (UK and US)


Length: 156 Minutes


Certificate: 12A


Director: Joseph Kosinski


Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem and Tobias Menzies


Standing at the peak of elite racing, Formula 1 has captivated audiences for years; it has also reached the silver screen on many occasions with documentaries and sporting dramas. F1: The Movie is the most high-budget and high-profile effort to date with full backing from the event organisers. For the most part, it’s an audacious and proficient thrill-ride.


On the modern-day racetrack, Apex GP is an effective but underperforming Formula 1 team led by Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem). Joshua Pierce (Damson Idris) is their lead driver, a young and ambitious sportsman looking to prove himself. Facing eviction and resale, the team hires the formerly retired wheelman Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) to shake things up. The risky old timer and the headstrong newcomer form an uneasy partnership both on and off the track as ApexGP reaches for the illustrious podium. Taking place throughout the F1 season, we follow the characters in several big events and in the engineering simulators. It’s all about the shifting dynamics of the two main drivers and the team’s efforts to make the vehicles as swift as possible. Thanks to precise editing and a set of montage shots, the momentum is always on top form. Admittedly, with a title like F1: The Movie, you are getting a highly glamorised view of the industry. The governing body and real-life drivers like Lewis Hamilton played major roles in the production; when compared to other efforts like Rush and Senna, F1 does lack depth as a result. Fancy parties and cutting-edge technology look great on screen, but the more mundane elements in-between are left out.


The film does a great job balancing the character's screen-time and developing their finer details. Sonny is a figurative and literal gambler, constantly taking risky manoeuvres while flipping cards in his spare time. Yet we also see his inner frustration, pursuing the number one spot decades after a serious crash. Sonny is contrasted beautifully by Joshua, who soaks up the press attention and trains hard in the gym. Whether it’s a series of close calls between their vehicles or a game of poker to determine the next lead driver, you’ll be fully invested in the main leads. We also get some simple but effective side characters; as the Apex technical director, Kate McKenna (Kim Bodnia) has a lot to manage, but she has also some memorable interactions with both Sonny and Joshua. Javier Bardem is also very charismatic; Ruben is always pushing for the biggest success while keeping other executives at bay. On that note, the antagonist is very weak; Tobias Menzies takes a grounded approach, a manipulative corporate suit who wants to buy out the Apex team and replace everyone. But he doesn’t make much of an impression and mostly observes from the side-lines.


Taking an approach similar to Top Gun: Maverick, Kosinski and his team know exactly how to present and frame the cars at their best. Point-of-view shots from the cockpit, mounting the camera on the wing and overhead shots place the viewer right into the action. When you add in the regular commentary, it’s very similar to how the real sport is presented with an added cinematic flair; we’re able to clearly identify the main characters behind their helmets while also getting a great view from every angle. The damage done to vehicles in crashes feels really intense and weighty; often the audio will drain out of the scene for the most serious accidents. The soundtrack is superb; it easily ranks among the best of the year. Between Hans Zimmer’s thunderous main themes and some great licensed tracks from Don Toliver, Doja Cat and others, the techno style is a perfect fit for the racing. The montage sequences are very powerful with “Lose My Mind” rocking the cinema seats as the drivers prepare for the next Grand Prix. It may be a realistic tone and setting, but F1 is surely one of the most immersive movie-going experiences you’ll have this summer.


It’s a bit over-indulgent at times and the antagonist is mostly inconsequential, but F1 is a solid production that will fully immerse you in the world of racing. The production is slick and the performances are strong, crafting another fine effort into the sports genre. I recommend seeing it in theatres for the best effect.


Rating: 4/5 Stars (Great)

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The Cainage Critique

Property of Robert Cain

United Kingdom

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