F1: The Movie opens on a dark note, with a somber black Warner Bros. logo hinting at a serious tone reminiscent of The Dark Knight Rises. However, the film never fully embraces that gravitas. Instead, it strikes a unique balance between classic racing drama and modern blockbuster style. Director Joseph Kosinski channels the spirit of vintage motorsports films like Grand Prix (1966) and Le Mans (1971), but with a slick, high-tech edge. Brad Pitt slips effortlessly into the role of Sonny Hayes, a former racing legend with a haunted past and a shot at redemption.
Sonny is introduced at The 24 Hours of Daytona, racing more for money than passion. A traumatic crash at the Spanish Grand Prix years ago still haunts him. The film cleverly juxtaposes tranquil ocean visuals with gritty race footage, creating a metaphor for Sonny’s internal conflict. Kosinski underscores Sonny’s rock-star legacy by dropping Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” during a key flashback.
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Sonny is a classic antihero — superstitious, cynical, and skeptical of authority. He carries a playing card before every race, avoids touching trophies, and prefers solitude. But his past resurfaces when Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), an old rival turned APXGP team boss, reappears with an offer he can’t refuse. The team is struggling and $350 million in debt. Despite Sonny’s initial refusal, he joins APXGP, teaming up with young star Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), setting the stage for intergenerational rivalry.
At first, Pearce is dismissive of Sonny, but as races unfold, he grows to respect the veteran’s wisdom. The film delves into the strategic complexities of Formula One — from tyre temperatures to pit stop timing — painting Sonny as an old-school genius in a digital era. The ensemble cast, including Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia, and Kerry Condon as the brilliant technical director Kate McKenna, supports the narrative’s emotional and technical depth.
The plot centers on Sonny’s unconventional efforts to revive APXGP, often clashing with the sport’s increasing reliance on technology. The tension between analog instincts and computerized performance adds thematic richness. The film doesn’t shy away from critiquing Formula One’s branding obsession and male dominance but softens the blow by offering McKenna as a complex, competent female lead.
While F1: The Movie may not fully address the sport’s controversies, it delivers a refreshing blend of action, humor, and heart. The humor is self-aware and avoids the overly heroic tone of similar blockbusters. Whether or not the film becomes a summer hit like Ford v Ferrari, or underperforms like Ferrari (2023), remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain — Brad Pitt proves he still has the star power to lead a film with charisma and grit.
Credits:
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Director: Joseph Kosinski
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Screenwriter: Ehren Kruger
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Cast: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Javier Bardem, Kim Bodnia, Shea Whigham
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Distributor: Warner Bros.
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Runtime: 2 hours 36 minutes
