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F1 Movie Review (2025) | Brad Pitt’s Formula 1 Racing Drama

by | Jul 19, 2025 | Reviews, Videos

🎬 F1 Movie Review | Brad Pitt’s High-Octane Ode to Formula 1 | MikeOnMedia
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F1 Movie Review

1. Introduction: The Top Gun: Maverick Team Shifts Gears

What happens when you take the core creative team behind Top Gun: Maverick—director Joseph Kosinski, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, screenwriter Ehren Kruger, cinematographer Claudio Miranda, and composer Hans Zimmer—and swap out the Navy jets for Formula 1 race cars? The answer is F1 (2025), a fast-paced sports drama that takes its cues from real-world Formula 1 racing and delivers a sleek, entertaining ride that manages to be dramatic, fun, and surprisingly funny.

This F1 movie review explores Apple Original Films’ first legitimate in-theater blockbuster, which pairs cinematic spectacle with character-driven storytelling. With Brad Pitt in the lead, expect high-octane drama, world-class visuals, and a few unexpected laughs.

2. Plot Summary: Last Place, High Stakes

In F1, Javier Bardem plays Ruben, a debt-ridden owner of the struggling APX GP Formula 1 team. The team is in last place, desperate for wins, and barely hanging on. Enter Sonny Hayes, played by Brad Pitt—a once-promising F1 driver whose career was derailed by a crash decades ago. Now a drifter racing in local leagues, Sonny is pulled back into the big leagues to help revive APX GP.

Ruben convinces Sonny to drive for the team, creating immediate friction with Joshua Pearce (played by Damson Idris), the team’s arrogant and talented young driver. What follows is a story of rivalry, redemption, and teamwork as the underdog team tries to defy the odds and claim their place on the podium.

3. Cast Highlights: Pitt, Bardem, and Idris Bring the Heat

This F1 film review wouldn’t be complete without praising its top-tier cast:

  • Brad Pitt brings gravitas and vulnerability to Sonny Hayes, a man trying to outrun his past while helping a failing team find its footing.
  • Javier Bardem, in a role far from his terrifying turn in No Country for Old Men, plays Ruben with equal parts desperation and charm.
  • Damson Idris shines as Joshua Pearce, the cocky young racer whose evolution forms the emotional arc of the story.
  • Kerry Condon plays Kate, the team’s passionate Technical Director and potential love interest for Sonny, while Sarah Niles adds heart as Joshua’s mother.

Everyone plays their part convincingly, adding depth and relatability to what could have been a typical sports movie setup.

4. Direction, Cinematography & Realism

If you’re wondering what makes this F1 movie review different from others, it’s the technology and realism baked into the filmmaking. The same custom camera tech developed for Top Gun: Maverick was adapted and miniaturized to capture real racing footage on modified Formula 2 cars. The result? A visceral, track-level view of high-speed action that’s unlike anything we’ve seen in a racing movie before.

And with seven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton on board as a consultant and producer, the authenticity of the F1 world is taken seriously. The film was shot at real circuits around the globe, during actual Formula 1 race weekends, over the course of a year and a half.

5. Music, Tone, and Humor

Zimmer’s soundtrack starts in the realm of classic rock—likely a nod to older F1 fans—and later shifts into modern sounds, reflecting the generational divide between Sonny and Joshua. This musical evolution complements the movie’s tone: nostalgic and heartfelt, yet current and energetic.

The humor in F1 is an unexpected treat. While the stakes are high, the movie doesn’t take itself too seriously. Pitt brings a natural charm that allows even tense moments to breathe, and the comedy mostly lands well, adding levity without undercutting the drama.

6. Criticisms: Not Quite a Perfect Lap

As strong as F1 is, it isn’t without its bumps. Some of the dramatic moments—especially around race strategies—feel a bit forced, though this may stem from a lack of familiarity with the inner workings of Formula 1. The announcer-style exposition during races can sometimes be a bit too on-the-nose, and some subplots surrounding Sonny may have overreached.

Still, these are minor detours in an otherwise smooth ride. If you’re into Moneyball, you might recognize shades of that film in F1—particularly in Pitt’s portrayal of a former star now mentoring the next generation.

7. Final Verdict: Worth the Ride

To close out this F1 movie review, here’s the bottom line: F1 is a well-acted, beautifully shot, emotionally engaging sports drama that delivers more than just thrills. It’s got heart, style, and just enough surprises to keep the story feeling fresh.

Whether you’re a die-hard Formula 1 fan or just someone who appreciates a solid underdog story with A-list talent and world-class visuals, F1 delivers. If you liked Top Gun: Maverick, you’ll probably love this too.

Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

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Video Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
00:54 – F1
01:21 – Movie Overview
03:11 – Questions
03:52 – Brad Pitt
04:13 – Sports Movies
04:40 – Moneyball
05:12 – Damson Idris and Sarah Niles
05:48 – Javier Bardem and Kerry Condon
06:02 – The Extremes of Formula 1
07:01 – Music
07:41 – Comedy
08:00 – Not Perfect
09:48 – Conclusion
10:33 – End Screen