Start your engines — “F1“, the high-stakes racing drama led by Brad Pitt, is gearing up to dominate the summer box office when it hits theaters and IMAX on June 27. Directed by “Top Gun: Maverick’s” Joseph Kosinski, the film promises speed, spectacle, and emotional stakes, all wrapped in the sleek, high-pressure world of Formula One racing.
“F1” Premise
In “F1”, Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a once-promising driver whose career was cut short by a devastating crash in the ’90s. Now in his 60s and largely forgotten by the sport that once adored him, Sonny is pulled back into the F1 spotlight by his former teammate Ruben (Javier Bardem). The mission? Join APXGP, a fictional underdog team, as both mentor and driver alongside hot-headed rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris).
The newly released trailer shows Hayes grappling with his past and racing against time—both literally and figuratively. “We all lose our jobs if you can’t pull off a miracle,” warns team manager Kate (Kerry Condon), summing up the intense pressure surrounding Sonny’s improbable comeback. Meanwhile, friction with his younger counterpart simmers as Joshua declares, “You’re making a mistake, thinking that I’m just gonna be some grateful kid who’ll bend a knee to an old-timer.”
“F1”: A Real Racing Film in Every Sense
Kosinski’s “F1” stands apart from previous racing films in its commitment to authenticity. Determined to replicate the kinetic thrill and danger of Formula One racing, Kosinski had both Pitt and Idris drive actual race cars on real “F1” tracks — including footage captured during live Grand Prix weekends. The actors underwent months of intensive training, guided by none other than seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who also serves as a producer on the film. The production even created a fictional 11th F1 team, APXGP, which competed in races during lulls between real cars on the grid, blending the lines between cinema and sport.
With so much realism baked in, it’s no surprise that corporate sponsors jumped at the opportunity to feature in the film. Brands like Salesforce, Expensify, IWC, Ninja, Shark, and Aramco adorn the cars, pit lanes, and uniforms, lending the film an air of genuine “F1” pageantry — and reinforcing the massive commercial appeal of the sport.
“F1”: The Human Engine Behind the Helmet
Beyond its action-packed sequences, “F1” is, at its heart, a story about second chances. Sonny, once dubbed “the greatest that never was,” must confront the wreckage of his past and learn what it means to be part of a team again. As Kosinski puts it, the film is a “racing epic with real heart,” charting a man’s pursuit of redemption against one of the most unforgiving backdrops imaginable.
The cast is rounded out by Simone Ashley, Tobias Menzies, Sarah Niles, Kim Bodnia, and Samson Kayo, with guest appearances from real “F1” personalities rumored to appear throughout the film. Supporting roles are layered with wit and drama, ensuring the story doesn’t just live on the track but within the pit crew, press conferences, and emotional collisions behind the scenes.
Brad Pitt, who described working on the film as “the best time of my life” during a 2023 Sky Sports F1 interview, has embraced the culture and thrill of the racing world. “Just to get to be a part of it in this way, and get to tell our story — it’s a dream,” he said.
With the momentum of “Top Gun: Maverick” and the global reach of Formula One behind it, “F1” is poised to deliver not just adrenaline but gravitas, blending state-of-the-art visuals with the age-old drama of racing toward — or away from — your past.
Catch “F1” in theaters and IMAX starting June 27, where speed, stakes, and soul take the driver’s seat.
