F1 Movie Review: Why Brad Pitt’s High-Octane Racing Drama Won Over the Critics and the Box Office

Let’s cut to the chase. When Hollywood announced a scripted movie about Formula 1 starring a 60-year-old Brad Pitt, the racing purists raised their eyebrows. Hard.

But Joseph Kosinski, the director behind Top Gun: Maverick, did what he does best. He took a niche world, strapped it to a rocket, and turned it into a blockbuster.

Released in June 2025, F1 (also marketed as F1: The Movie) didn’t just cross the finish line. It lapped the competition. The film became the highest-grossing motorsport movie in history .

But is the speed worth the ticket price? Here is a data-driven review of the plot, the cast, the Oscar buzz, and the science behind the stunts.

The Plot: A Classic Comeback with a Gritty Twist

The story follows Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a racer whose career ended in the 1990s after a horrific crash. By 2025, he is a nomadic “racer-for-hire,” drifting away from glory .

An old friend, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owns a failing team called APXGP. He drags Sonny back into the cockpit. Why? To mentor Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), a hotshot rookie who has speed but zero discipline.

The film avoids the typical “old guy teaches kid a lesson” trap. Instead, it creates genuine tension. Sonny wants redemption. Joshua wants glory. In Formula 1, teammates are often your fiercest rivals. The film’s 155-minute runtime explores whether these two can cooperate without killing each other .

The Cast: More Than Just Brad Pitt

While Brad Pitt carries the star power, the supporting cast provides the engine.

• Brad Pitt (Sonny Hayes): At 61 during filming, Pitt performed many driving stunts himself. Critics noted he brings a “weathered vulnerability” to the role that suits a man haunted by past flames .
• Damson Idris (Joshua Pearce): The Snowfall star holds his own against Pitt. He plays the arrogant rookie with just enough charm to keep you rooting for him .
• Javier Bardem (Ruben Cervantes): As the desperate team owner, Bardem provides the emotional anchor. He is the heart of the struggling team .
• Kerry Condon (Kate): She plays the technical director. Some critics noted that her character arc leans into a stereotypical “romantic interest” subplot, which felt unnecessary to the racing narrative .

The Authenticity: How They Made It Real

This is where the movie separates itself from generic CGI-fests.

The production filmed during real Grand Prix weekends in 2023 and 2024. Kosinski placed cameras on actual cars and used the real F1 paddock as his set .

Key locations included:

• Brands Hatch (UK): Doubled for the Monza Circuit in Italy for a major crash scene .
• Real Tracks: Silverstone, Las Vegas, and Abu Dhabi all feature authentic race footage.

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, served as a producer. He ensured the driving lines, team radio chatter, and politics looked realistic. Hamilton even admitted he prefers producing to acting, stating he doesn’t think he would be “particularly great” at on-camera roles .

Critical Reception: What the Reviewers Said

The film received a warm embrace from both critics and casual moviegoers.

• Rotten Tomatoes: The film scored an 82% from critics .
• Metacritic: It holds a solid 68 .
• Renowned For Sound: Called it a “high octane thrill ride” and noted that while the story is “by-the-numbers,” the realism and tension make it “more fun than forgettable” .

However, not everyone loved the script. A reviewer from GrandPrix247 pointed out that Sonny Hayes breaks “just about every rule in the book” (like holding up traffic intentionally) without consequence. They also felt the romantic subplot with the technical director was “strange and unnecessary” .

Box Office and Oscars: The Numbers Don’t Lie

You cannot argue with the math. F1 was a monster at the box office.

• Global Gross: Over $630 million worldwide .
• Records: It is Brad Pitt’s highest-grossing film ever, surpassing World War Z ($540 million) .
• Profitability: By September 2025, the film had turned a $34 million theatrical profit, with IMAX screenings accounting for 55% of sales .

The film also raced into the 2026 Academy Awards. It received four Oscar nominations :

1. Best Picture
2. Best Sound (which it won at the BAFTAs)
3. Best Visual Effects
4. Best Film Editing

It became the ninth-most successful film of 2025 by ticket revenue .

The Sequel: Is It Happening?

Yes. And the script is already in the works.

Lewis Hamilton confirmed that he, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Joseph Kosinski had their first meeting on the sequel before the first film even finished its theatrical run .

Hamilton is cautious about the “sequel curse,” noting that sequels “often aren’t always great,” but he trusts the team to take their time and get it right .

The Verdict: Should You Stream It?

As of 2026, the film is available to stream for free on Apple TV (formerly Apple TV+) for subscribers. It is also available for rental or purchase on Prime Video .

Watch it if:

• You enjoy Top Gun: Maverick style spectacle.
• You want to see stunning practical effects (real cars, real crashes).
• You are a Damson Idris fan.

Skip it if:

• You need 100% historical accuracy (the timeline is compressed).
• A 155-minute runtime feels too long for you.

F1 is not a documentary. It is a Hollywood blockbuster. But it is a blockbuster built with genuine love for the sport. It successfully translated the danger and drama of racing into a story your grandmother can enjoy.