F1: The Movie – A Must-See, But Remember: It’s a Hollywood Movie
After months of immense anticipation, F1: The Movie has finally hit cinemas worldwide. With the sport riding high on popularity thanks to the Netflix series Drive to Survive, thrilling races almost every single weekend, and Brad Pitt headlining the cast, the film had enormous expectations to meet. The Hong Kong premiere was held on June 25, hosted by watchmaker IWC which is a prominent partner for the film. The film stars Pitt, alongside Javier Bardem, and Damson Idris as the plot sees a out of action veteran driver Sunny Hayes (Pitt) returning to the track to help longtime friend Ruben Cervantes (Bardem) and his flailing F1 team while tied up with cocky rookie driver Joshua Pearce (Idris).
Does it deliver? ABSOLUTELY. The answer also depends on how you choose to view it.
From a technical and visual standpoint, F1: The Movie is groundbreaking. It’s arguably the most realistic racing movie ever made. The footage is stunning — and for good reason. The production team and its APXGP racing team were granted unprecedented access to real F1 events. They filmed on actual circuits, used modified F2 cars designed to look like current F1 machines, and operated from a real pit box at several races. At one point, Sunny Hayes and Joshua Pearce were even seen standing alongside the 20 F1 drivers during the national anthem.
For die-hard fans, spotting real-life race incidents that have happened in previous seasons cleverly integrated into the film is an absolute delight. Even small touches — like drivers’ personal rituals and superstitions — add layers of authenticity that will resonate with those familiar with the sport.
On the other hand where the film truly diverges from reality is in its storyline. While gripping and emotionally charged, it’s undeniably Hollywood — filled with dramatic twists, emotional confrontations, and situations that would be nearly impossible in the tightly controlled and ruthlessly competitive world of real F1. The sport thrives on thousandths-of-a-second margins, overtaking being very challenging, strategic complexity, and the collective effort of literally thousands of engineers, strategists, and officials. Much of this nuance gets lost in favour of narrative flair.
Setting aside the fact that at 61 he’s older than all current F1 team bosses (except one), Brad Pitt is, well… Brad Pitt. I probably can’t think of anyone more suited to play the role of an experienced teammate with a strong will and distinct personality. In many ways, it feels like he’s playing a version of himself — and his performance is spot-on when it comes to capturing the behavior and attitude of modern racing drivers: less polished, more character-driven, and refreshingly authentic. Pitt shines when he plays underdog heroes. The involvement of professional racing drivers (the movie is produced after all by Lewis Hamilton) in choreographing the race sequences adds to that authenticity — though seasoned with earlier mentioned Hollywood flair, especially when it comes to overtaking maneuvers. And I will forgive him for celebrating with his helmet off and gloves on!
Seven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, serving as a co-producer, often must have felt caught between two worlds — wanting to showcase the beauty and intensity of F1 while also making it accessible for mainstream audiences. The result is a film that excels in spectacle but had to simplify (and sometimes distorts) the inner workings of the actual sport.
This film would be palatable for new fans of the sport, partially. While it avoids being overly jargon-heavy, there are still plenty of racing terms and scenarios that may confuse viewers unfamiliar with F1. Still, it’s likely to leave many curious enough to learn more — which could be one of the film’s and F1’s greatest successes.
My final thoughts:
Whether you’re a die-hard F1 purist, a regular viewer, or a casual fan tuning in for the first time, it’s important to remember: this is a Hollywood movie. A lot does not mirror the real-world complexities of Formula 1 — and that’s okay.
Above all, enjoy it for what it is: entertainment. F1: The Movie brings the sport to life in ways never seen before on the big screen — visually, sonically, and emotionally. The roar of the engines combined with the stunning and energetic score by Hans Zimmer makes a delightful experience in a cinema. It’s an experience worth having. You’ll find that the incredible cinematography by Director Joseph Kosinski and his team keeps you thoroughly engaged throughout. The fact that I only noticed the movie’s 2-hour-and-35-minute runtime at the very end probably says everything.
The writer, Ho-pin Tung, is a professional racing driver and former F1 Reserve driver, 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and an active F1 expert analyst.
