F1 Review: Is This the Greatest Formula 1 Movie Ever Made?

Quick Verdict: F1 is a thrilling racing blockbuster with breathtaking visuals, a confident Brad Pitt performance, and enough engine noise to wake up the entire neighborhood. Its story follows familiar sports-movie rules, but the racing makes it worth the ride.

Rating: 4/5 stars

What Is F1 (2025) About?

Directed by Joseph Kosinski, F1 stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a former racing star whose promising career was derailed by a terrible crash. Decades later, his old teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem) asks him to join APXGP, a struggling Formula 1 team.

Sonny must help the team compete while dealing with Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), a talented young driver who isn’t exactly excited about taking advice from an older rival. Their clash creates the movie’s central conflict: can two drivers chasing personal glory learn to work together?

The Racing Scenes Are Absolutely Incredible

Here’s where F1 earns its place on the starting grid.

The cars feel fast, the corners look terrifying, and the camera puts you right inside the action. Instead of making every race feel like a distant television broadcast, the movie captures the noise, pressure, and split-second decisions that make Formula 1 so exciting.

Filming during real Grand Prix weekends adds another layer of authenticity. The result is a spectacular experience, especially on a big screen.

Brad Pitt and Damson Idris Make a Strong Team

Pitt brings effortless confidence to Sonny. He’s stubborn, unpredictable, and sometimes makes decisions that would give any team principal a serious headache. But underneath that swagger is a racer trying to prove that his best days aren’t behind him.

Idris gives Joshua plenty of ambition and attitude. Their rivalry creates some of the movie’s best moments, even if their relationship follows a familiar path from competition toward mutual respect.

Javier Bardem adds energy as Ruben, while Kerry Condon gives the team a practical voice as technical director Kate McKenna.

Where F1 Falls Short

Let’s be honest: the story doesn’t reinvent the racing genre.

You’ve seen versions of this underdog journey before. The experienced veteran returns, the young star learns humility, and personal conflicts threaten the team’s success. Some character moments are predictable, and a few plot developments require you to accept movie logic over real-world racing logic.

At around 2 hours and 35 minutes, the film is also a lengthy ride. Thankfully, the races provide enough excitement to keep things moving. Critics similarly praised the spectacle while noting the familiar story and uneven character depth.

Is F1 the Greatest Formula 1 Movie Ever Made?

That depends on what you want from a racing movie.

If you’re looking for raw cinematic spectacle, immersive race sequences, and a modern blockbuster experience, F1 makes a strong case. But if you prefer deeper character drama or a more emotionally complex story, other racing films may leave a stronger impression.

The film doesn’t need a completely original story to succeed. It needs to make you feel the danger and excitement of racing—and it absolutely delivers.

Final Verdict: Should You Watch F1?

Yes. F1 is one of the most entertaining modern racing films, powered by spectacular action, a charismatic lead performance, and a convincing sense of speed.

Its story takes the familiar route, but the racing makes every lap count. Is it the greatest Formula 1 movie ever made? That’s debatable. Is it a must-watch for racing fans and blockbuster lovers? Absolutely.

Final Rating: 4/5 stars