The first reviews of the upcoming F1 Movie are already in—weeks ahead of its official release. At the centre of the action is Brad Pitt, whose portrayal of a fictional and retired F1 driver is already sparking conversations in Hollywood and the Formula 1 paddock.
What To Know?
- Brad Pitt plays ex-F1 driver Sonny Hayes in a film directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski.
- Real F1 tracks like Monza and Abu Dhabi were used for filming during actual race weekends.
- Real-life drivers including Verstappen, Norris, and Hamilton appear on screen.
- Releases in UK/international cinemas on 25 June 2025, with IMAX previews on 23 June; US release on 27 June.
Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a once-retired American F1 Driver lured back to the grid by APXGP team boss (played by the ever-commanding Javier Bardem). Hayes is tasked with mentoring rising British phenom Joshua Pearce, portrayed by Damson Idris. It’s a classic comeback story with a high-octane twist.
Behind the scenes, the film boasts serious pedigree. Director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer—last seen working together on Top Gun: Maverick—reunite to bring this project to life. And they didn’t come alone. Lewis Hamilton, who wears both a producer’s hat and a race helmet, played a critical role in ensuring the film stays grounded in how F1 works. From the garage to the grid, Hamilton’s influence helped shape the movie’s authenticity.
Drivers share their reactions after getting an exclusive first look at the upcoming ‘F1’ film
Shot at actual Grand Prix weekends and featuring cameos from real F1 drivers, the film blurs the line between fiction and Formula 1 reality. Fittingly, the paddock got a sneak peek during the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, where all drivers attended a private viewing, except for Max Verstappen (he was sim racing) and Lance Stroll. Drivers and team principals gave the movie a unanimous thumbs-up. Early signs suggest it may be more than just a box-office winner—it could be a landmark moment in F1 history and how Formula One is portrayed to the wider world.
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“It was really cool,” said Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc:
“Honestly I got into this cinema room and I didn’t know what to expect. We know this sport so much that you are trying to be over analytical on everything, and I had no idea what the storytelling would be. The storytelling is really cool and the images are just incredible. The job that the team has done in order to have different angles that we don’t actually see on racetracks is really cool. I really enjoyed it.”
Haas’ Esteban Ocon was also full of praise for the movie:
“Honestly awesome,” he said. “I’ve never seen such an image and how immersive it is when you are inside the car. Obviously I know it in reality but in the movie you can really feel the speed and the story is super entertaining, which was really fun to watch. I got to see myself quite a lot of times racing with Sonny, which was quite close at times! I enjoyed that one too. Honestly a beautiful movie. Well done to F1, well done to all the crew and everyone – the producers – that have worked on the movie. I think it’s honestly fantastic and it’s definitely the best movie of racing that I’ve seen.”
Team principals react, as possibly the harshest critics
“I thought it was excellent,” said Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner. “We are probably the worst possible audience to watch that movie because you’re going to look and scrutinise every detail, every gear change, every pit stop, and it was very authentic. The way they’ve interwoven it with the drivers and the teams, it’s a great film and definitely one to go and watch.”
“[It’s] great to see Formula 1 engaging like this and it’s been well done. The research has been done, you can see that they’ve really taken the time to understand the sport and I think it’s a great way of actually explaining the sport to people that have not engaged with Formula 1 before. Watch this movie and it’s a great introduction to Formula 1.”
Williams boss James Vowles was another Team Principal to share similar praise after watching the new movie.
“I thought it was absolutely fantastic, they did a really good job of being authentic to who we are and how we go racing,” the Briton said. “I sort of rate films in the amount of goosebump moments that I had – and I had three or four of them that were just really brilliant build ups that then ended in this fantastic way.
“For me what they’ve done is what they promised they would do, which is really to capture what I think makes our sport incredibly special in a way that is understandable for the world and bring it together in a fantastic package. I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”
Critics weigh in – and they’re (surprisingly) all on the same page
Although the film doesn’t officially hit cinemas until the end of June, select critics have already taken their seats—and the early feedback so far suggests that the studio and producers are onto a winner (no pun intended).
The reviews are glowing, with widespread praise for the film’s high-octane drama and authenticity and the performances. Despite early scepticism about his casting due to his age—he’s 61—Brad Pitt is drawing particular acclaim. Many expected his turn as a returning F1 driver to be a stretch, but critics say he’s more than up to scratch.
The supporting cast is also earning applause, with plenty of credit going to the chemistry between Pitt and Damson Idris, whose dynamic brings depth to the story.
Variety’s Jazz Tangcay wrote:
“WOW! F1 is an action-packed thrilling look at the world of F1 racing, with lots of grit. The sound, score and cinematography are flawless. Damson Idris and Brad Pitt are great! Absolutely obsessed.”
Maude Garrett, from Nerdist, said the film is “so freaking good”, adding:
“It has all the adrenaline, heart, pacing, story and character that completely fleshes out this movie into excellence. I can only imagine how much more I would love this movie if I was a fan of F1 racing. Maybe I am now?”
While Erik Davis, a Rotten Tomatoes contributor, said:
“The F1 movie hits the gas and doesn’t stop. The races are epic, the sound design, editing, cinematography, performances and music are all top notch. You definitely feel shades of Top Gun: Maverick in that it plays like an old school summer blockbuster. What a ride.”
For Lewis Hamilton, his most important critics would also come from his fellow drivers and team principals:
“I really care what the drivers think and I wanted them to think highly of it. I think the great thing is the sound is great, the image is incredible. It’s something that’s never been done in Formula 1 before, so it’s something I’m really proud of.”
How realistic is the new F1 Movie?
If you’re wondering how close the F1 movie gets to the real thing, the answer is: uncomfortably close—in the best possible way.
Thanks to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton serving as a producer and advisor, authenticity was never in question. The production didn’t just borrow from the world of Formula 1—it lived in it. A bespoke car was engineered by Mercedes specifically for the film, blending Hollywood stunt requirements with F1-level detail.
Filming took place during actual race weekends, with scenes shot on location at iconic circuits like Monza and Abu Dhabi, weaving the fictional team of APXGP directly into the real paddock environment. From pit lane choreography to tyre strategy, the attention to detail is razor-sharp.
This isn’t just a movie about F1—it’s a movie inside F1. Strip away the script and it could easily pass for a behind-the-scenes documentary.
Will real F1 Drivers appear in the F1 Movie? Absolutely.
One of the film’s biggest draws isn’t just Brad Pitt’s star power—it’s the grid of real-world Formula 1 talent sharing the screen with him.
Director Joseph Kosinski has leaned hard into authenticity, blurring the line between fiction and reality so effectively that at times, it’s difficult to tell where the Hollywood script ends and the paddock begins. And yes—real F1 drivers are very much part of the action.
Alongside producer-star Lewis Hamilton, you can expect cameos and appearances from some of the sport’s biggest names: Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez, Lando Norris, George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Oscar Piastri, and Fernando Alonso, just to name a few.
F1 movie release date – When is the F1 movie coming out?
Mark your calendars—Formula 1 is heading to the big screen this summer.
The F1 Movie will officially be released in UK and international cinemas on 25 June 2025, but for those eager to get the jump on the action, there’s an exclusive IMAX preview on 23 June 2025.
Fans in North America will have to wait just a little longer, with the film set to hit theatres on 27 June 2025.
Whether you’re watching in Leicester Square or Los Angeles, this one promises to deliver a cinematic experience as thrilling as a last-lap overtake.
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