F1 is the must-watch F1 movie 2025 fans have been waiting for. Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), the film follows Sonny Hayes, a once-legendary Formula 1 driver who fell off the radar after a brutal crash. Now he’s a washed-up wheelman for hire, pulled back into the sport by a desperate team owner played by Javier Bardem. The mission? Train a young star, help save the failing team, and maybe prove he’s still got the juice to compete with the big boys. It’s redemption in fifth gear, and it all unfolds with the roar of real F1 engines and the gloss of IMAX magic.
Want to know more about the real-world racing behind the film? Check out the official Formula 1 site.

Let’s be clear: this ain’t a popcorn flick with nos and neon. This one’s got oil, grit, and just enough drama to make it personal.
The Good
This isn’t Fast & Furious. This is focused, furious, and ferociously well-shot. Joseph Kosinski doesn’t just bring the speed, he brings the stakes. Filmed during actual Grand Prix weekends, F1 drops you right into the chaos. The cockpit shots are so intense you’ll forget to blink. You can practically smell the rubber and feel the heat bouncing off the asphalt.

Brad Pitt brings that “been-through-some-things” energy. He plays Sonny Hayes like a man held together by duct tape, regret, and just enough talent to still scare the younger drivers. His performance feels lived-in. He’s not trying to be cool, he just is, in that “grizzled racer with nothing to lose” kind of way.
But let’s talk about Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce. This man comes in hot, fully believable as a modern F1 rookie with something to prove. He doesn’t just keep up with Pitt, he makes you wonder who the real lead is. The dynamic between them crackles. Their mentorship-turned-rivalry drives the emotional engine of the film.

Also pulling their weight: Kerry Condon as the team’s technical lead, offering calm in the storm. And let’s not forget Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack, which blends speed, anxiety, and heart. It’s the sound of adrenaline mixed with emotional weight. A little synth, a little soul, and a lot of “let’s go.”
And shoutout to the sound design. Every gear shift, every downforce whine, every moment in the pit feels immersive. It’s not just a watch, it’s a ride.
The Bad
The script occasionally pumps the brakes. Ehren Kruger’s dialogue lands best when it’s short, sharp, and focused on racing and rivalry. But when it swerves into backstory-heavy emotional terrain, it loses some traction. A few moments feel like someone tried to sneak in a full-on drama monologue in the middle of a sports movie.

Javier Bardem gets shortchanged. He’s got great presence and solid comedic timing as the slightly unhinged team owner, but the film doesn’t give him much to do beyond bark and motivate. Same goes for Tobias Menzies and Kim Bodnia, they pop up, say a few things, then disappear like a pit crew on a lunch break.
Pacing between races gets a little wonky. One minute you’re sweating in Monaco, the next you’re in a slow-motion training montage that drags. There’s an occasional mismatch between how fast the cars go and how slow the script wants to linger.
Final Lap – Why the F1 Movie 2025 Deserves the Hype
F1 is not just a sports movie, it’s a redemption drama in a carbon-fiber suit. It’s got all the tools: big-name stars, real F1 access, an Oscar-winning composer, and a director who knows how to weaponize IMAX. It’s Apple’s F1 movie trailer moment turned full cinematic event — but with a soul under the hood.

“Brad Pitt behind the wheel is great. Damson Idris beside him? Even better.” Together they elevate this from good to gripping. This isn’t about who takes the podium, it’s about what it takes to get back on the track after life spins you out. Whether you’re here for the speed or the story, F1 delivers just enough of both. It’s not flawless, but like a last-lap overtake, it gets your heart pounding when it matters most.
Verdict: This is for anyone who misses the days when a movie made you lean forward, hold your breath, and care. F1 earns its pole position in the summer lineup. Buckle up, because this one knows how to corner on emotion and horsepower alike.
Whether you’re a fan of motorsports or just love a good comeback story, the F1 movie 2025 is the summer thrill ride you’ve been waiting for.