F1 (2025) Movie: Brad Pitt’s Racing Comeback Actually Works

The world of Formula One racing has captivated audiences for decades, and now it takes center stage in Joseph Kosinski’s latest directorial venture, F1: The Movie. This high-budget sports drama features Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a veteran Formula One driver who returns to the sport after a 30-year absence to mentor a young driver and save his former teammate’s struggling team from collapse. The film boasts an impressive cast including Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Javier Bardem.

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and distributed by Apple Original Films in collaboration with Warner Bros., F1: The Movie represents a significant investment in bringing authentic Formula One racing to the big screen. The film was written by Ehren Kruger, who previously collaborated with Kosinski on Top Gun: Maverick, suggesting a proven creative partnership behind this ambitious project.

Plot and Storyline

The narrative follows Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a former Formula One champion who left the sport three decades ago following a devastating crash. When his old friend and team owner Lily (Kerry Condon) faces the imminent collapse of her underdog team APXGP, she convinces Sonny to return as both driver and mentor to their promising young racer Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris).

While the plot follows somewhat predictable beats of the sports drama genre, the film succeeds in grounding its familiar story within the authentic world of Formula One racing. The relationship between the veteran Hayes and the ambitious Pearce forms the emotional core of the film, as both characters must confront their own limitations and fears while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the track.

Cast Performances

Brad Pitt delivers a nuanced performance as Sonny Hayes, bringing both gravitas and vulnerability to the role of an aging champion grappling with his past and uncertain future. Pitt’s natural charisma and screen presence serve the character well, particularly in scenes where Hayes must confront his own mortality and the changing landscape of Formula One racing.

Damson Idris proves to be an excellent choice as Joshua Pearce, the young driver hungry for success but still learning the harsh realities of professional racing. Idris brings both intensity and innocence to the role, creating a character who is believable as both a talented driver and someone still finding his way in the cutthroat world of Formula One.

Kerry Condon delivers a strong supporting performance as Lily, the team owner fighting to keep her operation alive. Her portrayal brings depth to what could have been a thankless role, showing both the business acumen and emotional investment required to run a Formula One team.

Technical Excellence

Director Joseph Kosinski, known for his work on Top Gun: Maverick and Tron: Legacy, brings his expertise in crafting visually stunning action sequences to the world of Formula One racing. The film’s greatest strength lies in its spectacular racing sequences, which were filmed during actual F1 events with the cooperation of the sport’s governing body.

The cinematography by Claudio Miranda captures both the speed and precision of Formula One racing while maintaining visual clarity that allows audiences to follow the action. The sound design deserves particular praise, with the roar of engines and screech of tires creating an immersive audio experience that puts viewers in the cockpit alongside the drivers.

What Works

The film’s greatest achievement is its authentic portrayal of Formula One racing, achieved through unprecedented cooperation with the FIA and actual F1 teams. The racing sequences are genuinely thrilling, capturing both the speed and technical precision required at this level of motorsport.

The central relationship between Pitt and Idris provides the emotional foundation that keeps the film grounded despite its high-octane subject matter. Their mentor-student dynamic feels genuine and develops naturally throughout the film, avoiding the forced sentimentality that can plague sports dramas.

I found the film’s exploration of the technical aspects of Formula One racing particularly impressive, making complex motorsport concepts understandable to general audiences without dumbing down the material for racing fans.

Areas for Improvement

Despite its technical excellence and strong performances, F1: The Movie follows a fairly predictable narrative structure that rarely surprises audiences familiar with sports dramas. The story beats are telegraphed well in advance, and the film’s resolution feels somewhat inevitable rather than earned through genuine dramatic tension.

The film’s pacing occasionally suffers from its lengthy runtime, with some dramatic scenes feeling drawn out when audiences are eager to return to the racing action. Certain subplot elements, particularly involving team politics and personal relationships, feel underdeveloped.

I noticed the film struggles at times to balance its appeal to both racing enthusiasts and general audiences. While it generally succeeds in this balancing act, there are moments where the technical aspects may overwhelm casual viewers.

Critical Reception

The film has received generally positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for its authentic racing sequences and strong performances from the lead actors. Rotten Tomatoes shows an 84% critics score based on 58 reviews, indicating strong critical consensus about the film’s quality. Metacritic reports a score of 69% from 24 reviews, suggesting generally favorable reviews from professional critics.

Critics have consistently praised Joseph Kosinski’s direction, particularly his ability to create thrilling racing sequences that feel authentic and dangerous. The performances of Brad Pitt and Damson Idris have been highlighted as strengths, with many reviewers noting their natural chemistry and convincing portrayals.

Final Verdict

F1: The Movie succeeds in bringing the excitement and authenticity of Formula One racing to the big screen while delivering solid character development and emotional depth. While the film follows familiar sports drama conventions, it executes these elements with enough skill and spectacle to create an engaging cinematic experience.

Joseph Kosinski’s direction, combined with strong performances from Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, elevates the material beyond typical genre expectations. The film’s technical achievements, particularly in its racing sequences and sound design, create an immersive experience that captures the unique excitement of Formula One competition.

Despite some pacing issues and predictable story elements, F1: The Movie delivers on its promise of high-octane entertainment while maintaining enough emotional depth to satisfy audiences seeking more than just spectacular action. I believe this film will particularly appeal to both racing fans and general audiences looking for well-crafted sports drama.

Rating: 4/5