The F1 (2025) movie isn’t just another racing film—it’s a full-throttle ride that blends Hollywood storytelling with the real heart-pounding action of Formula 1. Directed by Joseph Kosinski (the mind behind Top Gun: Maverick) and starring Brad Pitt, this movie brings the speed, the drama, and the adrenaline rush of the world’s fastest sport straight to the big screen. From roaring engines to edge-of-the-seat rivalries, it’s designed to make your pulse race just like you’re trackside. What makes this film even cooler is its authenticity. It’s shot during actual Grand Prix weekends, using real F1 cars and working with professional teams, so every scene feels raw and real. Whether you’re a die-hard racing fan or just love high-energy movies with epic underdog vibes, the F1 (2025) movie promises to be an unforgettable mix of speed, ambition, and cinematic firepower. Buckle up—it’s going to be a wild ride.
Overview
The F1 (2025) movie dives into the high-speed, high-stakes world of Formula 1, where passion, rivalry, and ambition collide on and off the track. Directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Brad Pitt, the film follows the journey of a veteran driver who makes a comeback to mentor a rising rookie, setting the stage for an electrifying battle between experience and youthful energy. With intense racing sequences, gripping drama, and cinematic scale, it captures the essence of one of the world’s most thrilling sports.
What sets this movie apart is its authentic connection to real Formula 1 racing. Filmed during actual Grand Prix weekends and featuring real teams, tracks, and cars, it delivers an immersive experience that blends fiction with reality. Combining Hollywood storytelling with the raw adrenaline of motorsport, the F1 (2025) movie offers audiences a front-row seat to the speed, spectacle, and spirit of Formula 1 like never before.
Cast & Crew
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Joseph Kosinski leads the film with his trademark high-energy visual style and precision, familiar from works like Top Gun: Maverick. He balances large-scale racing spectacle with personal stakes, giving viewers both the roar of the track and the emotional undercurrents of his characters.
Lead Actor: Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a once-promising F1 driver returning from retirement. His performance is layered—mixing rugged determination with vulnerability, especially as he navigates his past regrets and the pressures of mentoring a rising rookie. Pitt’s charisma and seasoned presence anchor the film. Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce, the rookie, complements him well: Idris brings youthful fire and ambition that both clash with and push Sonny’s character to grow.
Lead Actress: Kerry Condon
Kerry Condon portrays Kate McKenna, the technical director of the APXGP team. She brings intelligence, POV, and moral backbone to the story—balancing being technically competent and emotionally grounded. Her interactions with Sonny (Pitt) add depth: she isn’t just a love interest but a professional whose stakes are just as high.
Others / Supporting Cast
Javier Bardem as Ruben Cervantes (team owner and Sonny’s old friend) offers gravitas—he’s the bridge between Sonny’s past and the possibilities of redemption, with both warmth and tension.
Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia, Sarah Niles, Will Merrick, Abdul Salis, Shea Whigham, etc., fill out the world of APXGP and rival/board/team pressures. Each adds texture—boardroom politics, engineering challenge, family and interpersonal stakes that flesh out the film beyond just racing.
Music Composer: Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer composes the film’s score (with Steve Mazzaro co-composition) — his music underlines both the mechanical intensity of racing and the human drama behind it. The soundtrack oscillates between orchestral swells and electronic pulses, matching the dual nature of speed + emotion.
Production Company
Studios involved include Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Plan B Entertainment, Dawn Apollo Films, Apple Studios, Monolith Pictures (among others).
Running Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
The film runs for 2 hours 35 minutes. The first half sets up Sonny Hayes’ backstory—his fall from grace and the accident, his life post-retirement, and the moment he’s offered a chance to come back. Slower build, character establishment, tension of internal conflict. And the second half ramps up action dramatically with racing sequences, rivalries, mentorship challenges, and emotional stakes. The pace accelerates, delivering climactic moments both on and off the track.
Budget and Box Office
The reported production budget for F1: The Movie is in the range of $200–300 million, depending on sources. This includes costs such as filming, star salaries, set pieces, special effects, etc., though it does not always capture marketing & distribution spend, which can add significantly.
On the box office front, F1: The Movie has grossed about $624.3 million worldwide. Breaking down: approximately $189.4 million domestically, and around $434.9 million from international markets.
Story
The story of the "F1 movie" centers on Sonny Hayes, a once-promising Formula 1 driver who left the sport years ago after a tragic crash cut short his career. Having lived away from the limelight, Sonny is given an unexpected second chance when he’s recruited by his old friend Ruben Cervantes, now the owner of the struggling APXGP team. Tasked not just with returning to the track, Sonny must also help shape the future of the team by mentoring their ambitious rookie driver, Joshua Pearce. This dynamic between veteran and newcomer drives much of the narrative, setting up a story that balances redemption, mentorship, and fierce competition.
At its core, the film explores the personal battles that run parallel to the physical demands of racing. Sonny carries the weight of his past mistakes, the burden of aging in a young man’s sport, and the skepticism of those who believe he no longer belongs in Formula 1. Joshua, on the other hand, represents everything Sonny once was—hungry, fearless, and determined to prove himself on the world stage. Their relationship is both mentor-student and rival-competitor, highlighting the generational clash that pushes both characters to their limits.
The film also shines a light on the inner workings of Formula 1 beyond the driver’s seat. Through Kate McKenna, the technical director, and the rest of the APXGP crew, viewers see the immense effort behind building a competitive car, making split-second decisions, and surviving the cutthroat politics of the sport. The story captures not only the speed and spectacle of racing but also the engineering genius, teamwork, and sacrifices that fuel the pursuit of victory. This dual focus—on both the human and mechanical—adds layers of realism to the narrative.
Finally, the story builds toward an emotionally charged climax where past, present, and future collide on the racetrack. Sonny must confront his fears and rediscover his true love for racing, while Joshua learns the fine line between raw talent and seasoned strategy. Together, their intertwined paths become a story of resilience, ambition, and legacy within one of the most dangerous and exhilarating sports in the world. It tells not just the tale of winning races, but of what it takes to truly belong in the fast lane of Formula 1.
Review
The "F1 movie" races into theaters with a blend of cinematic grandeur and raw motorsport authenticity. Joseph Kosinski’s direction captures the visceral thrill of Formula 1 with stunning visuals, combining on-track action with immersive sound design that makes audiences feel every gear shift and engine roar. The decision to film at real Grand Prix weekends pays off—every frame pulses with energy and realism, blurring the line between documentary-style footage and blockbuster storytelling.
Brad Pitt anchors the film with a charismatic and emotionally layered performance as Sonny Hayes, a veteran driver confronting the weight of his past and the uncertainty of his comeback. His chemistry with Damson Idris, who plays the fiery rookie Joshua Pearce, gives the movie its heart. Their dynamic—equal parts rivalry and mentorship—creates a dramatic tension that fuels the narrative and elevates it beyond just being a sports drama.
Kerry Condon adds depth as Kate McKenna, the technical director holding the team together. Her portrayal brings intelligence and emotional grounding, offering an insider’s perspective on the immense technical and human challenges behind Formula 1. Javier Bardem, as team owner Ruben Cervantes, injects gravitas and warmth, balancing the film’s intensity with moments of levity and humanity. The supporting cast, from engineers to board members, enrich the story by showing the broader ecosystem that powers the sport.
Hans Zimmer’s score, with its mix of orchestral swells and pulsating electronic layers, perfectly mirrors the duality of speed and emotion. The music enhances every high-stakes race and quieter character-driven moment, making the experience as much about what’s felt as what’s seen. The soundscape, combined with the precision editing of the racing sequences, ensures that the audience never loses track of the chaos and beauty of Formula 1.
Where the film truly shines is in its balance of spectacle and story. The racing sequences are breathtaking, but the quieter character arcs keep it grounded. Themes of redemption, legacy, and the clash between experience and ambition give the narrative emotional weight. It’s not only about who crosses the finish line first—it’s about the people who risk everything for speed, glory, and a chance at belonging.
Why You Should Watch This Film?
The "F1 movie" is more than just a racing film—it’s an immersive experience that captures the rush of Formula 1 while telling a human story of ambition, resilience, and redemption. You should watch it if you crave breathtaking visuals, heart-pounding race sequences, and a character-driven narrative that balances adrenaline with emotion. The on-track action, filmed during real Grand Prix weekends, offers a level of authenticity rarely seen in sports dramas, making it a must-see on the big screen.
What truly sets the film apart are its strengths: Brad Pitt’s seasoned performance, Damson Idris’s fiery presence, Kerry Condon’s grounded intelligence, and Joseph Kosinski’s masterful direction that fuses realism with cinematic spectacle. Hans Zimmer’s score intensifies both the speed and the drama, creating an atmosphere that grips you from start to finish. While the film occasionally leans heavily into technical jargon or stretches its runtime, these are small trade-offs compared to the scale, intensity, and emotional payoff it delivers. If you want a movie that gives you both thrills and depth, "F1movie" belongs on your watchlist.
Conclusion
The "F1 movie" succeeds in bringing the thrill of Formula 1 to life on the big screen, blending Hollywood storytelling with unmatched authenticity. With real tracks, real cars, and real race settings, it delivers a cinematic experience that feels both larger-than-life and grounded in reality. Combined with powerful performances from its lead cast, the film resonates not only with motorsport fans but also with anyone drawn to stories of resilience, rivalry, and redemption.
Ultimately, the film stands as more than just a sports drama—it’s a high-octane exploration of ambition, legacy, and human determination. By balancing breathtaking racing spectacle with intimate character-driven moments, the "F1 movie" cements itself as a unique entry in both racing cinema and sports storytelling. It leaves audiences exhilarated, inspired, and reminded of why Formula 1 remains the pinnacle of speed and spectacle.