F1: The Movie - A Complete Guide to Release Date, Plot, Cast, and Key Highlights | The Ultimate Sports Film of 2025

F1: The Movie: A High-Octane Dive into the Heart of Racing

A film is coming that will set the hearts of not only motorsports fans but all lovers of thrilling action and moving drama racing. It's F1: The Movie, a hot topic for bringing together director Joseph Kosinski and star Brad Pitt. Set against the colossal world of Formula 1 (F1), this film promises to deliver emotion and technological innovation that transcends the typical racing genre. Let's take a detailed look at this highly anticipated work.

1. Film Overview: A Perfect Blend of Speed and Drama

Original Title: F1
Genre: American Sports Drama
International Release Date: June 25, 2025 (US Release: June 27)
Director: Joseph Kosinski (Notable works: Top Gun: Maverick, Oblivion)
Screenwriter: Ehren Kruger
Starring: Brad Pitt
Producers: Jerry Bruckheimer, Lewis Hamilton (participating producer)
In collaboration with: Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), and the F1 organization
Music by: Hans Zimmer
OST Artists: Rosé (BLACKPINK), Ed Sheeran, Doja Cat, Tate McRae, Myke Towers, and more
Running Time: 155 or 156 minutes (approx. 2 hours and 35 minutes)
Rating: PG-13 (12+ in Korea)
Distribution: Warner Bros. Korea (South Korea), Apple Studios (Financing and primary distribution rights)

2. Plot Summary: A Veteran's Comeback and a Rookie's Rise

The film follows the story of Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a once-promising F1 driver whose career was cut short by a horrific crash. In the years since, he has lived a nomadic life, driving taxis and competing in other racing disciplines. His life takes a turn when he accepts an offer from an old friend, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), the owner of the last-place F1 team APXGP, to come out of retirement and join the team.

Sonny's mission is complex. He must mentor the team's brilliant rookie driver, Joshua "Joz" Pearce (Damson Idris), and save the team from the brink of collapse. The two initially clash, calling each other "old-timer" and "show-off," highlighting a generational divide. However, their relationship gradually evolves into a powerful bromance as they struggle together to lead the team to success. The team's Technical Director, Kate McKenna (Kerry Condon), plays a crucial role, guiding the team with data and strategy.

The narrative is set against the backdrop of the real 2023 F1 season, following the actual Grand Prix schedule. It adheres to the classic sports movie formula, featuring not only high-speed, tense racing but also themes of teamwork, competition, human conflict, and redemption. Sonny battles his past trauma while Joshua navigates the pressures and growing pains of being a rookie, exploring a central theme of overcoming personal wounds. However, some critics have noted that the story is "predictable and simple."

3. Main Characters: A Cast of Acclaimed Actors

Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt): A veteran driver in his mid-50s who returns to F1 after a career-ending accident. He serves as the team's pillar, and his journey focuses on overcoming past trauma. To prepare for the role, Brad Pitt underwent a six-month training program with the Mercedes F1 team to learn professional-level driving skills. He performed high-speed driving scenes at over 300 km/h himself, calling it the "most intense experience of his life" and his "most challenging role."
Joshua "Joz" Pearce (Damson Idris): A talented rookie driver who grows through his competition and collaboration with Sonny. He shows the most significant character development, evolving from an "arrogant rookie" to a team leader. Damson Idris also immersed himself in the role through F1 simulator training and real-world circuit driving.
Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem): The charismatic owner of the APXGP team and Sonny's long-time friend, fighting for his team's survival.
Kate McKenna (Kerry Condon): The team's brilliant Technical Director and a key figure who supports Sonny and Joshua with data-driven strategies.
Supporting Cast and Cameos:
- Tobias Menzies: Plays the director of a rival team.
- Kim Bodnia: Portrays a sponsor representative for APXGP.
- Simone Ashley: Was cast as Joshua's manager. Her screen time was reportedly reduced in the final edit for story flow, which sparked unproven allegations of racial discrimination.
- Real F1 Drivers: Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz, and many other drivers from the 2023 season appear as themselves, adding to the authenticity of the race scenes.
- Günther Steiner, former Haas team principal, also makes an appearance, along with other real team principals like Frédéric Vasseur (Ferrari), Zak Brown (McLaren), and Toto Wolff (Mercedes).

4. Behind the Scenes & Features: Crafting Reality Through Innovation

F1: The Movie is more than just a film; it achieves an unparalleled level of realism through unprecedented collaboration with the world of Formula 1.

A. Authentic Filming: Capturing the Real F1 Experience The movie was filmed on location at actual F1 Grand Prix events during the 2023 season. Production took place at a total of 14 F1 circuits, including Silverstone (UK), Yas Marina (Abu Dhabi), Hungaroring (Hungary), Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), Monza (Italy), Zandvoort (Netherlands), Suzuka (Japan), Mexico City, and Las Vegas. During the 2023 British Grand Prix, the fictional APXGP car was placed on the actual starting grid alongside real F1 cars, stunning the crowd. The cars used for filming were not actual F1 cars but modified F2 chassis fitted with F1-style bodywork, developed with technical consultation from the Mercedes F1 team. These vehicles were specially built for the film and contained 15 integrated camera mounts, recorders, and batteries.
B. Innovative Camera Technology: Experiencing the Race from the Driver's POV The cinematography team from Top Gun: Maverick (led by DP Claudio Miranda) was brought in to realize Kosinski's vision. The director stated he wanted to replicate "the feeling of being inside an F1 car." To achieve this, up to four cameras were installed within the car, with up to seven more positioned around the cockpit. A micro-camera was even placed inside the driver's helmet, allowing the audience to experience the driver's point-of-view and hear their breathing. The production team collaborated with Sony for 18 months to develop a custom, compact 6K cinema camera system, described as "the smallest movable 6K camera ever designed," featuring remote pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) capabilities. Furthermore, Apple's engineering team created custom camera modules using pre-release components from the iPhone 15 Pro, technology that directly influenced the development of the final consumer device.
C. Lewis Hamilton's Involvement: Adding F1 Authenticity Living F1 legend Lewis Hamilton served as a producer. He stated he wanted the film to show the "real face" and "technical and emotional depth" of Formula 1. Hamilton reviewed the script "line by line" to ensure technical accuracy and coached the actors during filming to heighten realism. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer emphasized that Hamilton was their "gateway" into the F1 world and that the film "could not have been made without him."
D. Buzzworthy OST: A Captivating Soundtrack The legendary composer Hans Zimmer created the score, aiming to replicate the emotion of Rush: The Rival and amplify the tension of the racing scenes. The soundtrack features a star-studded lineup of artists, including "Messy" by Rosé (BLACKPINK), Ed Sheeran, Doja Cat, and Tate McRae, with Rosé's participation generating significant excitement among fans.
E. Integrating Real F1 Elements: Blurring the Line Between Fiction and Reality While the film centers on a fictional team (APXGP), it uses the real 2023 F1 schedule, drivers, and teams (like Red Bull and Ferrari) as its backdrop, providing familiar details for F1 fans. The APXGP team even maintained social media channels just like a real F1 team, posting updates on training, qualifying, and race results for each Grand Prix. Details down to the car's livery (a black and yellow combination) and sponsor logos (featuring real companies like SharkNinja, Tommy Hilfiger, and EA Sports) were implemented to maximize realism.
F. Budget and Distribution: A Blockbuster Scale The production budget for F1: The Movie is estimated to be around $300 million. After a competitive bidding war, Apple Studios secured the financing and distribution rights. The film will have a global theatrical release, handled by partners like Warner Bros. Korea, before becoming an exclusive title on Apple TV+.

5. Reception and Expectations: Overwhelming Immersion and Box Office Buzz

Box Office Leader: As of June 16, 2025, nine days before its release, the film topped the Korean box office pre-sales chart with a 23.2% reservation rate, signaling high anticipation. IMAX and 4DX bookings were particularly strong.
Critical Acclaim at Premieres: Early reviews have praised the film for its "harmony of real-life racing thrills and Brad Pitt's heartfelt performance," with many calling it the "most realistic racing film ever made." Critics have universally lauded its technical aspects, including the visceral and immersive racing sequences, groundbreaking cinematography, powerful sound design, and Hans Zimmer's score. Brad Pitt's charismatic performance has also been a consistent point of praise.
Criticisms: The most frequent critiques have centered on the "formulaic," "predictable," and "unrealistic" plot. Some felt the film becomes an "empty spectacle" when the cars are off-screen, functioning like a "2.5-hour advertisement for the sport."
Comparison to Other Racing Films: When compared to acclaimed racing films like Ford v Ferrari or Rush, F1: The Movie is seen by some as lacking in narrative depth. However, it is widely considered superior in its on-track action. While Rush relied on VFX and Ford v Ferrari often used a spectator's perspective, F1: The Movie uses its innovative camera technology to put the audience directly in the driver's seat for an unprecedented experience.

6. Key Viewing Points: How to Enjoy F1: The Movie to the Fullest

Choose Your Format: To maximize the immersion of the racing scenes, viewing in premium formats like IMAX, 4DX, or Dolby Cinema is highly recommended. The Silverstone and Monaco sequences, in particular, are said to be highlights.
Know the Lingo: While the film attempts to simplify F1's complex rules for a general audience, knowing basic terms like DRS (Drag Reduction System), pit stop, and pole position beforehand can enrich the viewing experience.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Racing Experience, Set to Make F1 History

F1: The Movie is a successful fusion of Formula 1's overwhelming reality and Hollywood's blockbuster drama. The combination of on-location shooting, deeply committed performances, cutting-edge technology, and a spectacular OST makes this film compelling not only for sports fans but for any moviegoer who enjoys drama and action.

Lewis Hamilton's involvement was crucial in elevating the film's authenticity, setting a modern standard for partnerships between sports leagues and entertainment. F1: The Movie stands as a monumental technical achievement that sets a new bar for high-speed action filmmaking. It has the potential to be a watershed moment that popularizes the sport of F1 and creates a new generation of fans. The story may be familiar, but it spectacularly succeeds in its mission to provide an unparalleled, adrenaline-fueled cinematic experience. This is a spectacle that must be seen on the biggest screen possible.