Joseph Kosinski’s latest cinematic venture, “F1 The Movie,” roars into theaters as a high-octane spectacle that fuses the adrenaline rush of Formula One racing with a poignant character study of an aging driver seeking redemption. Released on June 27, 2025, the film stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a motorsports nomad whose life has been a continuous chase for the thrill that only racing can provide.
Sonny Hayes is no stranger to the racetrack’s harsh realities. Once a promising Formula One prodigy, his career was abruptly derailed by a devastating crash in Barcelona in 1993. Now living out of a van and drifting between races, Sonny embodies the archetype of the wandering cowboy—an asphalt ronin who races for the pure joy of it, not for fame or fortune. As one crew chief in the film muses, it must be hard to “spend [his] whole life starting over.” Yet Sonny embraces this transient lifestyle with a mantra of “new day, new challenge,” even as he wrestles with the question of what truly drives him.
That driving force becomes clearer when an old friend, Ruben Cervantes (played by Javier Bardem), tracks Sonny down with a desperate offer. Ruben owns the struggling Apex Grand Prix (APXGP), a Formula One team languishing in last place and facing the threat of dissolution unless it can clinch a win this season. He wants Sonny back behind the wheel to mentor the hotshot rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) and lead the team to victory. Despite initial reluctance, Sonny accepts, setting the stage for a classic sports drama filled with rivalry, camaraderie, and the quest for glory.
One of the film’s strengths lies in its authentic portrayal of Formula One’s intricate world. Created in collaboration with the FIA and featuring cameos from real F1 stars like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, “F1 The Movie” delivers a visceral, immersive experience. The cinematography by Claudio Miranda captures the sleek, high-tech environment of global circuits—from the legendary Silverstone in the UK to tracks in Hungary, Belgium, Italy, Las Vegas, and Abu Dhabi—placing viewers in the driver’s seat with breathtaking camera work and multiple rigs developed by Apple, Sony, and Panavision.
Hans Zimmer’s electrifying score pulses alongside the roar of engines, complemented by a curated soundtrack featuring artists such as Ed Sheeran and Doja Cat. The music underscores the film’s emotional beats and racing sequences, though some may find the blend of orchestral grandeur and pop an acquired taste.
As Sonny navigates the pressures of returning to Formula One, the film explores the tension between him and Joshua Pearce, whose youthful ambition and media-ready persona contrast with Sonny’s rugged, old-school grit. Their rivalry and eventual partnership highlight the dual championships at stake in F1: the Constructor’s title, awarded to the team based on combined driver performance, and the Driver’s title, a coveted personal accolade. Mercedes team principal and executive producer Toto Wolff, who appears in the film, explains that such tension is a constant in real F1, where teammates often battle fiercely on the track while striving to work together for the team’s success.
Technical director Kate McKenna (Kerry Condon) plays a pivotal role, both as a key team member and Sonny’s romantic interest. Unlike typical sports films where female characters are sidelined, Kate is portrayed with depth and expertise, responsible for crucial car design tweaks that mirror real-life innovations in Formula One. Her relationship with Sonny adds a layer of human connection amid the high-speed drama, though their romance remains casual rather than deeply committed.
“F1 The Movie” does not shy away from the sport’s inherent dangers. The film depicts intense crashes with shattering chassis and flying debris, evoking genuine tension and occasional gasps from audiences. A 2025 study cited within the film’s context notes 264 injuries and 43 deaths among F1 drivers between 1950 and 2023, with a significant decline in fatalities in recent decades thanks to improved safety regulations. These stark realities underscore the stakes for Sonny and his teammates.
Beyond the spectacle, the film delves into Sonny’s personal struggles, including his three failed marriages and a history of gambling addiction. His journey is marked by moments of vulnerability and resilience, as he mentors Joshua and fosters camaraderie within the Apex team. The narrative also touches on themes of sacrifice and the cost of chasing one’s passion, culminating in a bittersweet message: “No one drives forever.” Sonny’s relentless pursuit of “flying” on the racetrack is both his salvation and his affliction.
The film’s conclusion is as compelling as its opening. After leading Apex Grand Prix to a hard-fought victory, Sonny quietly departs from the world of Formula One, heading south to Mexico’s Baja 1000—a grueling off-road race that promises a new kind of challenge. This transition, hinted at in the end credits accompanied by an Ed Sheeran track featuring Dave Grohl and John Mayer, suggests the possibility of a sequel and emphasizes that for Sonny, it’s the adventure and control over his destiny that truly matter, not wealth or fame.
While “F1 The Movie” embraces familiar sports movie tropes, its powerful racing sequences, authentic depiction of Formula One, and Brad Pitt’s magnetic performance make it a standout summer blockbuster. The film invites both die-hard fans and newcomers to experience the thrill of the sport and the complex humanity behind the helmets.
In the end, “F1 The Movie” is a celebration of speed, skill, and spirit—a reminder that sometimes the chase itself is the ultimate prize.
