There’s been a solid run of racing films over the last decade and a half. My favorites, Rush (2013). Ford v Ferrari (2019). Gran Turismo (2023). And Ferrari (2023). All well-made. All compelling in their own way. But F1 is different than those movies. This is the closest I’ve seen to a pure racing film.
Director Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick, Tron: Legacy) teams up again with writer Ehren Kruger, and you can feel the blueprint from Maverick all over this. The aging legend. The reluctant return. The clash between old ways of doing things and new modern systems.
Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) is pulled back into the F1 world by Ruben (Javier Bardem), a former teammate now holding onto a failing F1 team that’s on the verge of being sold. Sonny fell out of favor from F1 racing decades ago. But Ruben is desperate to save his team, so bringing Sonny back is a massive gamble. Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), the team’s young star, represents the opposite of Sonny—Joshua brings raw talent, speed, ego, and just enough arrogance to believe he doesn’t need Sonny’s guidance.
The supporting cast holds it all together. Kerry Condon is sharp and grounded as Kate McKenna, the technical mind behind the operation. The one trying to translate Sonny’s unpredictability into something usable. Tobias Menzies plays the corporate presence lurking in the background, ready to dismantle everything the second it stops making sense financially. And Callie Cooke stands out as Jodie— an inexperienced, and clumsy member of the pit crew.
F1 legend, Lewis Hamilton served as a consultant, and his influence in this movie is immeasureable. Every track feels different. Every race carries its own rhythm, its own tension. Where corners matter, and timing is life or death. Everything feels authentic. And that’s where F1 separates itself from other racing movies. You feel the vibration of the car, the speed, the risk. There’s a new visual language here, something that makes it all feel immediate, and dangerous. It is fully committed to speed, precision, and the chaos of racing.
F1 has accomplished something remarkable. It has redefined racing movies.
F1 THE MOVIE (2025). FOUR OUT OF FIVE POPCORN BAGS🍿🍿🍿🍿
Rod Rioja 