F1: The Movie races into cinemas around the world
The wait is over. After more than a year of hype, high-profile set photos, and curiosity about how authentic a Hollywood-backed Formula 1 film could really be, F1: The Movie has officially been released in cinemas worldwide.
International audiences got the green light on June 25, while fans in the United States and Canada had to wait just a little longer for a June 27 release.
Directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Lewis Hamilton, the film brings Formula 1 into the mainstream spotlight like never before.
And unlike some of its predecessors, this one isn’t just borrowing the name of the sport - it’s shot on real F1 circuits during actual race weekends, with the full cooperation of the sport, its teams, and its stars.
Team-mate rivalry
Brad Pitt takes the lead as Sonny Hayes, a retired driver from the 1990s who returns to the cockpit after a long hiatus, lured back by his former team-mate Ruben, now a team owner played by Javier Bardem.
Hayes signs on to help APXGP - a fictional, struggling F1 outfit - develop their car and mentor their promising young rookie, Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris.
The dynamic between the two drivers forms the heart of the story, as Sonny tries to rediscover his identity while passing the torch to the next generation.
Kerry Condon also stars as the team’s technical director Kate, whose no-nonsense leadership and emotional depth help anchor the film’s more grounded moments.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Lewis Hamilton under fire but not forgotten: Toto Wolff urges patience amid Ferrari struggles
More than just your average racing movie
And with Lewis Hamilton heavily involved behind the scenes, the on-track realism is dialled all the way up.
The cars may be fictional, but the surroundings, the pace, the atmosphere, and even the gridwalk cameos are 100% real.
Shot during live race weekends in 2023 and 2024, the film features appearances from current drivers, actual pit lane crews, and even moments where APXGP had to squeeze into garages right next to real F1 teams.
If that wasn’t enough to crank up the immersion, the film is available in IMAX and 4DX formats, giving fans the chance to feel the rumble of the engines and the intensity of wheel-to-wheel action in surround.
Hans Zimmer composed the score, which alone might be enough to pull in viewers, but there’s also a stacked original soundtrack titled F1: The Album, featuring names like Burna Boy, Doja Cat, Ed Sheeran, and Rosé.
The soundtrack dropped on June 27, perfectly timed to ride the movie’s initial momentum.
