Brad Pitt and Damson Idris bring star power and chemistry to F1, a high-octane thrill ride directed by Joseph Kosinski, featuring Claudio Miranda‘s stunning cinematography. The film delivers pulse-pounding racing sequences that rarely let up, even if the story stalls off the track with thin character development and familiar plot beats. Still, Pitt and Idris steer the film forward with grounded, charismatic performances that keep the engine running.
F1 Overview
The story in F1 is simple but effective. Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of the floundering APXGP team, needs a driver—and a miracle. Down a seat and facing the collapse of his operation, he calls on an old friend: Sonny Hayes (Pitt), a seasoned driver who walked away from F1 decades ago after a career-ending crash.
Sonny now drifts between racing circuits, taking gigs as a fill-in, never staying long. Returning to F1 stirs up old wounds, but he agrees to help APXGP finish out the season.
His presence ruffles feathers. Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), APXGP’s hotshot young driver, sees Sonny as a relic—and a threat. The crew isn’t much warmer. But as Sonny proves he still has something to offer, the team begins to rally, and the season takes a turn.
When F1 hits the track, it’s an absolute thrill. Kosinski directs with precision, and Hans Zimmer’s score adds pulse-pounding momentum to every race.
Off the track, the film loses steam. A romance between Sonny and tech director Kate McKenna (Kerry Condon) goes nowhere. A shared backstory between Sonny and Joshua—both of whom lost their fathers at a young age—is introduced with little follow-up.
Still, Pitt carries the film with a mix of grit and grace, and his scenes with Bardem are a highlight. Idris brings intensity, even if his character’s arc feels rushed.
If you’re here for high-speed spectacle and sleek, old-school racing drama, F1 delivers the goods.
Returning to F1
Ehren Kruger’s screenplay quickly establishes Sonny’s world: part mercenary, part nomad.
F1 opens with Sonny racing at the 24 Hours of Daytona, brought in to fill a last-minute roster spot. His aggressive style helps the team win, but when owner Chip Hart (Shea Whigham) offers him a permanent seat, Sonny declines. He prefers the freedom of short stints, living out of a van and drifting from one race to the next.
That routine is interrupted when Ruben, Sonny’s former teammate and now owner of the struggling APXGP team, finds him at a laundromat. With his team on the brink and a seat open, Ruben asks Sonny to join. Sonny initially refuses, but soon shows up at the APXGP track, ready to race for the remainder of the season.
Kruger and Kosinski handle Sonny’s transition with impressive efficiency, giving us just enough to understand his detached mindset and the stakes for Ruben. Still, the shift could use more emotional depth. Sonny’s change of heart happens quickly, and while it moves the story forward briskly, it would’ve been more compelling to see him wrestle with the decision.
Cocky Rookie
Joshua Pearce is a promising young driver, but despite his talent, he hasn’t managed to earn a single point for APXGP. In Formula One, finishing 10th is enough to score. The team’s real problem isn’t Pearce—it’s the car. APXGP can’t compete with powerhouses like McLaren and Ferrari.
Joshua’s future is just as uncertain as Sonny’s. With a potential ownership shake-up looming, Pearce risks losing his seat, not just with APXGP, but across the grid. His cousin and manager, Cashman (Samson Kayo), plays a key role in keeping Pearce’s career afloat, helping manage his social reputation. Meanwhile, his mother, Bernadette Pearce (a standout Sarah Niles), serves as an emotional anchor, keeping Joshua grounded when his ego threatens to derail him.
The dynamic between Pitt and Idris is one of the film’s highlights. While Sonny enters with a roar, it’s refreshing to see him take a mentor-like role, stepping back and using his experience to help the team succeed. Pearce benefits most when he listens, but the tension between ego and guidance gives their partnership weight.
The Gambler
Outside the track, Sonny quickly takes an interest in APXGP’s technical director, Kate McKenna. While she’s intrigued by his ability, she bristles at his blunt criticism of the car, especially his desire for a machine built for aggression, even if it compromises safety. Their flirtation is underdeveloped, relying more on Pitt’s natural charm than meaningful character development. The relationship feels more functional than earned.
Sonny doesn’t bring much in the way of tactical nuance. Still, he wins over the engineering team—and eventually McKenna—through sheer work ethic and an unorthodox, fearless approach to racing. His “lone wolf” bravado may be grating at first, but it earns respect where it counts.
What grounds Pitt’s performance is the physical and emotional toll of Sonny’s past. Decades earlier, he walked away from Formula One after surviving a horrific crash. That trauma lingers beneath his confident exterior, and as the season wears on, it begins to resurface. Pitt subtly conveys the weight of a man who knows the clock is ticking.
F1 Final Thoughts
F1 roars to life when the rubber meets the road. Kosinski’s slick direction, Miranda’s immersive cinematography, and Zimmer’s pulse-pounding score deliver an authentic, visceral racing experience. The on-track sequences are breathtaking, capturing both the danger and beauty of Formula One with real urgency.
Off the track, the film doesn’t quite maintain the same momentum. While the central dynamic between Sonny and Joshua offers sparks—thanks to Pitt’s seasoned cool and Damson Idris’ raw energy—many of the supporting arcs feel underserved.
F1 may not reinvent the racing movie, but it delivers a sleek, star-powered ride that satisfies. It doesn’t quite match 2023’s Gran Turismo. However, F1‘s a crowd-pleaser fueled by top-tier visuals, A-list performances, and just enough emotional resonance to keep things from running on empty. For fans of racing or underdog stories with fuel-injected flair, F1 is a summer ride worth taking.
F1
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Very Good - 7.5/107.5/10
