F1 Movie Review: Brad Pitt’s High-Octane Blockbuster Misses the Apex but Still Delivers a Rush

F1: The Movie Review – Brad Pitt’s High-Octane Blockbuster Misses the Apex but Still Delivers a Rush

Is the F1: The Movie realistic? Nope. Is it entertaining? Absolutely.
Let’s break it all down in this F1 Movie review.

The Big Question: How Real Is This F1 Movie?

Let’s get the obvious out of the way. If you’re expecting realism, this movie isn’t for you. From the very first lap, the plot trades accuracy for adrenaline. Brad Pitt’s Sonny Hayes is not bound by the constraints of real-world physics, racing regulations, or common sense. And somehow, that works.

Because here’s the thing — this isn’t a documentary. It’s a Hollywood blockbuster, and a slick one at that. You’ve got the bad-boy charm, the rule-breaking underdog, and the comeback arc we’ve all seen before and still secretly enjoy. It’s Top Gun in an F1 car.

Hollywood vs. FIA: Who Wins?

As an F1 fan, it’s hard not to roll your eyes at how loosely the movie plays with technicalities. Cars push past realistic limits, pit strategies are glossed over, and the idea of one man’s rise feels… scripted. Because it is.

But as a movie fan? You’re in for a treat.

Watching Brad Pitt and Damson Idris (as rival teammate Joshua Pearce) battle it out on wet tracks is genuinely thrilling. The tension, the timing, the chase for that 1/10th of a second — it’s classic sports cinema stuff. Predictable? Yes. But when it works, it works.

And let’s be honest. If you walked into this movie expecting documentary-level realism, that’s like watching John Wick and complaining about the physics of bulletproof suits. The story respects the rules it sets within its own world, and that’s fair game.

Backstory, Casting, and Real F1 Cameos

Sonny Hayes is the archetype: a ’90s prodigy whose career was derailed by a tragic accident and self-destruction, only to stage a late-life comeback. It’s been done before, sure, but you still root for him.

Kerry Condon plays Kate McKenna, the team’s technical director. She’s portrayed as sharp, composed, and quietly ambitious — the kind of character who’s made it in a male-dominated sport, but still ties her breakthrough moment to Sonny’s comeback. She’s not an emotional anchor, but more the traditional heroine: supportive, driven, and hoping the gamble pays off for both of them.

Here’s where it gets cool:
To prep for this role, Pitt drove a modified Formula 2 car, retrofitted with an electric motor and a custom F1 aero package. The car was built by Mercedes-AMG F1 and Carlin Motorsport, and filmed during actual F1 race weekends. Apple even designed a custom camera for the car based on iPhone tech.

And yes real F1 legends show up. From Toto Wolff to Lewis Hamilton (also a producer), Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz and many more, there’s a Drive to Survive level of cameo energy

Hyper-realistic racing shots? Check. Believable outcome? Not really. But the fun is undeniable.

The IMAX Effect and Zimmer’s Score

This movie is filmed for IMAX, and it shows. Every frame feels massive. The action races past your eyeballs, and Hans Zimmer’s score ties it all together with pulse-pounding perfection. It’s loud. It’s proud. It’s made for theatres. See it on the biggest screen you can find.

Pacing, Predictability, and That Final Lap

The second act drags just a little — the only real complaint here. But it’s a minor one, especially considering how much of the first half is non-stop racing adrenaline.

Yes, the plot is predictable. Yes, Sonny’s climb through the ranks is too smooth to be believable. But if you’re going in for entertainment, not a lesson in aerodynamics, you’ll leave satisfied.

Final Verdict: F1 Movie Review – Watch It or Skip It?

Watch it.
Take your friends. Take your family. Hold your breath during that last lap at Abu Dhabi. Whether Sonny wins or lets his teammate take the crown, you’ll be glued to your seat.

Also — did anyone else catch a blink-and-miss cameo from Chris Hemsworth in that final Abu Dhabi race scene, or was I seeing things?

Rating:

Got thoughts on the F1 movie? Drop them in the comments.

Was it the rush you expected, or did the Sonny storyline stretch believability a bit too far? And seriously — was that a blink-and-miss Hemsworth cameo or just wishful thinking?

While you’re here, check out our other movie reviews for more no-fluff takes. And to know more about F1 the movie click here.