F1: The Movie, directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) and written by Ehren Kruger, races into theaters on June 27, 2025, promising a high-octane blend of spectacle and story. Starring Brad Pitt as veteran racer Sonny Hayes and Damson Idris as up-and-coming prodigy Joshua Pearce, the film explores ambition, mentorship, and the need for speed in the world’s most glamorous and grueling motorsport. With strong support from Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, and Tobias Menzies, and backed by the sleek power of Warner Bros. and Apple Studios, F1 is engineered as a cinematic adrenaline rush. This F1: The Movie review takes a look under the hood of one of 2025’s most anticipated films to see if it lives up to the hype—and whether its sleek exterior hides real emotional horsepower.
Genre:Action, Drama, Sport
Plot – A Comeback Story Fueled by Emotion
The Road Back to the Apex
Brad Pitt’s Sonny Hayes is a former Formula 1 legend who crashed out of the sport three decades ago. Once celebrated, now forgotten, he drifts from race to race, driving whatever he can get his hands on and living out of a van. But when his former teammate Ruben (Javier Bardem), now team owner of the struggling APXGP, calls in a favor, Sonny reluctantly returns to the high-stakes world of Formula 1 to mentor a talented but arrogant rookie, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris).
The plot echoes many classic sports drama beats—washed-up veteran, cocky newcomer, a desperate team on the brink—but F1 reinvents those tropes with polish, heart, and high-speed action. The stakes are clear from the start: one victory could save the team; failure could mean the end of APXGP.
Brad Pitt Channels the Maverick Spirit
Old-School Cool with Emotional Depth
Brad Pitt, now in his 60s, leans fully into the aging antihero archetype. His Sonny is a mix of swagger and scars, a man hardened by time and failure. He plays the part with a cowboy-like ease—rumpled shirts, gravelly charm, sunglasses perpetually in place—but gives Sonny enough inner turmoil to make the character more than just a trope.
It’s easy to draw parallels to Pitt’s own star persona; he’s less a character actor here and more a weathered movie star embracing the final lap of his leading-man era. But he doesn’t coast—he commits. Whether he’s barking commands in the pit, staring down his young rival, or staring death in the face at 200 mph, Pitt makes us believe Sonny has something left to prove—not just to others, but to himself.
Damson Idris and Kerry Condon Shine
Rising Stars and Technical Brilliance
Damson Idris holds his own opposite Pitt, no small feat. As Joshua Pearce, he exudes swagger, confidence, and insecurity in equal measure. He’s not just a foil for Sonny—he’s a mirror, showing us who Sonny once was and who he might have been. Idris delivers a layered performance that hints at vulnerability beneath the bravado, and as their rivalry turns into something more respectful, the emotional payoff feels earned.
Kerry Condon, meanwhile, is a revelation as Kate McKenna, APXGP’s technical director and the first woman in her role. She brings intelligence, grit, and quiet strength to the film. Her dynamic with Sonny is one of mutual respect, and she becomes the film’s emotional anchor—guiding, correcting, and sometimes saving both men from themselves. Condon’s scenes are some of the most human in a film full of steel and speed.
Racing Sequences That Redefine Immersion
Kosinski’s Cinematic Precision
Director Joseph Kosinski has a knack for immersive action, and in F1, he outdoes himself. The races are filmed during real-world Grand Prix events, giving them an unprecedented level of realism. Cameras are mounted on modified Formula 2 cars, placing viewers in the driver’s seat with heart-pounding intimacy. The in-cockpit shots are breathtaking—your pulse quickens with every gear shift, every corner, every flick of tire smoke.
Claudio Miranda’s cinematography captures the speed and spectacle without sacrificing clarity. And Stephen Mirrione’s editing is masterful, shifting seamlessly between track, pit, and stands. You never lose the thread of the race, even as tension mounts. Combined with Hans Zimmer’s thunderous score—equal parts synth and symphony—the film’s action scenes aren’t just thrilling; they’re transportive.
A Story That Balances Emotion and Spectacle
More Than Just a Race
While F1 delivers on the promise of stunning action, it doesn’t forget the emotional gearshift. At its heart, this is a story about legacy, mentorship, and second chances. The relationship between Sonny and Joshua is more than a rivalry—it’s a clash of philosophies, personalities, and generations. And it’s through that friction that the film finds its soul.
There’s also real tension in the subplots—whether it’s the team’s impending collapse, the tension with shady board members (Tobias Menzies is especially sharp as a corporate antagonist), or the subtle nods to real-world issues like diversity and access in racing. Joshua’s identity as a Black driver in a predominantly white, elite sport is acknowledged, particularly through scenes with his mother (a standout Sarah Niles), though this thread could have been explored more deeply.
Technical Excellence Behind the Scenes
From pit strategy to simulation software, F1 excels at showing how much goes into making a racing team function. Kate’s role as a tech leader, the precision of the pit crew, the constant refinement of aerodynamics and tire heat—it’s all there, and it’s fascinating. Kosinski doesn’t just show us the races; he shows us the machinery, the engineering, the teamwork, and the ten-thousand-hour grind behind each fleeting lap.
The Movie’s Few Pit Stops
No film is without flaws, and F1 does hit some familiar bumps. The plot is largely predictable, borrowing heavily from sports movie archetypes. The Sonny-Joshua antagonism lasts a beat too long, and at two hours and 36 minutes, the runtime could have used some trimming.
Additionally, the film leans heavily into product placement—at times, it feels like every frame is sponsored by a brand. While this reflects the reality of modern Formula 1, it’s occasionally distracting. And while the movie hints at deeper themes—corporate corruption, institutional barriers—it doesn’t always follow through.
Final Verdict – A Spectacle That Earns Its Finish Line
F1: The Movie (2025) is an exhilarating, beautifully crafted sports drama that blends blockbuster energy with emotional nuance. It’s a return to form for big-screen spectacle, anchored by strong performances and unparalleled racing cinematography. Even if you know every beat before it happens, you’ll still find yourself gripping the armrest, holding your breath, and cheering at the final lap.
It may not reinvent the wheel narratively, but with Kosinski in the director’s chair, Brad Pitt at the wheel, and Hans Zimmer on the score, F1 proves the thrill of the race—and the resilience of its racers—never goes out of style.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)