The Victory of "F1: the Movie"

The thrill of cars zooming across the track has captivated audiences since the first Grand Prix in 1950. Nowadays, with the advanced technology and captivating storytelling, fans worldwide rush to witness speed, skill, and victory at the 24 Grand Prix events held worldwide. On June 27, 2025, two days before the Austrian Grand Prix, Apple Original Films and Warner Brothers released “F1: The Movie.” “F1: The Movie,” directed by Joseph Kosinski, is a fictional film filled with intense action and dramatic rivalries.

The movie starts with a scene of Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) jolting awake in a messy van. After a quick warm-up, Hayes scrambles to the track where he enters the Daytona-24 24-hour race. He is on the brink of becoming a Formula 1 World Champion with his reckless driving tactics, but it all backfired in a sudden crash, forcing Hayes’ dreams to come to an end. Three decades later, Hayes is convinced by a friend to join his struggling F1 team, APXGP. Hayes meets Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), who is a young rookie but a hardworking and talented driver. Pearce detested the overconfidence of Hayes and outwardly showed his opinions through harsh words and fights. Although the two drivers start off on the wrong foot, they learn to improve, heal, and thrive together. After both of them face life-threatening situations on the track and consequently in the hospital, Hayes and Pearce become each other's greatest supporters.

f1 the movie

Photo: Hayes (left) and Pearce (right) face reporters as they prepare to enter a race in “F1: The Movie.”

Hayes (left) and Pearce (right) face reporters as they prepare to enter a race in “F1: The Movie.” Photo courtesy of Apple Studios.

The film showcases nine Grand Prix events in major cities, including Monaco, Las Vegas, Mexico City, and Abu Dhabi. Director Joseph Kosinski heightens the intensity of the on-track competition to keep viewers on edge. The anxious shouts of team members, the thunder of engines, and the roar of the crowd build an atmosphere of nonstop tension. Quick cuts capture the drivers’ strained, determined expressions, while glistening aerial shots highlight the scale of the track. Drone footage brings the audience directly into the action, following cars from above and intensifying the sense of speed and closeness in the fight for victory.

Another great element of this film is the soundtrack. The most prominent genre is rock, including “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin and “Round and Round” by Ratt. It also features iconic songs like “We Will Rock You” by Queen, a widely recognized sports anthem. Although dominated by rock, the soundtrack branches into other genres as well, including pop with ROSE's "Messy".

Behind the scenes, this movie was not easy to film for the actors. Both Pitt and Idris drove modified Formula 2 cars at speeds of up to 180 mph during live race weekends. Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton was a co-producer and coached the actors on technical accuracy. With a 200 million dollar budget, this film earned 25 million on its opening day, and 144 million dollars internationally on its opening weekend, making it Apple’s biggest box office debut. This movie receives a 5/5 star rating. I had no background knowledge of Formula 1 Racing before entering the movie theater, but it gave me no trouble in understanding what was going on. This film’s superior acting, intriguing plot, mix of adrenaline-fueled racing, and emotional storytelling make” F1: the Movie” a thrilling watch from start to finish.

“F1: The Movie” is PG-13 because of its life threatening crashes, profanity, and romance scenes. It was released on June 27, 2025 and can be seen in AMC DINE-IN Rio Cinemas 18, AMC Montgomery 16, AMC Wheaton Mall 9, and IPIC Pike & Rose.