Formula 1 isn't just a sport, it's a world of speed, money, precision, and high stakes drama that unfolds over mere seconds and strategy calls.

As a person who has followed F1 for a long time now, I've grown used to the thrill of race weekends, the tension of the rivalries, and the emotional rollercoaster that each race brings. So when a film set in this universe was announced, that too starring Brad Pitt, I was curious to say the least. As I watched the movie over the weekend, I got exactly what I had expected. But maybe better.

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Here's what worked, what didn't, and whether I think the movie captured the real spirit of F1.

The Plot and Concept

The film follows the life of Sonny Hayes, played by Brad Pitt who is a "has been" Formula 1 driver, having raced with racing legends like the late Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher. But after a life altering and severe crash, Hayes turns to gambling and local racing, and leaves F1.

Fortunately, his best friend, who also happens to be a former teammate, and the current owner of the "Apex GP" F1 team, Ruben played by Javier Bardem, offers some much needed support and recruits him.

Of course he's welcomed back, not just out of admiration for his skills behind the wheel, but also because the team is in dire straits, financially struggling, desperate for results, and clinging to the hope that he can deliver at least one win in the nine races that remain.

At this stage in his life, Sonny Hayes is practically ancient by F1 standards, and much of the film revolves around how he integrates into a team that's banking it's future on the rising star Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris. Their problematic yet evolving dynamic, between old school experience and raw young talent, forms the basic premise of F1: The Movie.

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Perfomance and Characters

Brad Pitt brings a cocky, grounded, and restrained charisma to Sonny Hayes, portraying a driver who's seen it all but still has something left to prove.

Prove to himself, his late father, and the world. He lets the wisdom of his character show through subtle expressions and quiet moments. I especially loved the scene where he opens up about his life post his accident and struggles to Kate McKenna, played by Kerry Condon. More on her character later.

Damson Idris, as the young and ambitious rookie, Joshua Pearce, does a remarkable job of portraying an arrogant and egoistic racer, who doesn't own up to his mistakes and blames his engineers instead.

The chemistry between the two leaders starts out as rivalry and mistrust, where Hayes tries to hold Pearce accountable for his behaviour but Pearce brushes him off saying he's an "old man". As the movie unfolds, their relationship evolves into something complex and beautiful.

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Hugh Nickleby played by Will Merrick, who is Sonny's race engineer, does great as a supporting cast. Kim Bodnia as Kaspar Smolinski, Apex GP's Team Principal brings a gritty realism to his role. His character reminded me a lot of Frederic Vasseur, the Ferrari Team Principal. There is even a scene in the movie where during a press confrence Smolinski is getting grilled by Vasseur and Zak Brown, the Mclaren CEO.

The Racing Sequences & Technical Brilliance

If there's one area where F1: The Movie truly delivers, it's the racing sequences. The high-speed shots, camera angles and roaring engine sounds are genuinely thrilling and incredibly immersive.

The use of actual F1 circuits, cars, and cameo of the drivers, gives the film an authenticity that I instantly loved. The on-board shots, especially during overtakes and tight corners brings you right into the cockpit. You feel the pressure, the danger, and the beauty of F1 in motion.

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A lot of credit goes to director Joseph Kosinsky. If you've seen Top Gun: Maverick, you'll recognise his style. Clean, focused, and obsessed with movement. Kosinsky and Clauddio Miranda, the cinematographer, by using real locations, real cars, creates an impact and brings a quality to the film that just cannot be achieved and recreated by using CGI.

The intense racing sequences are further enhanced by Zans Zimmer's score. Apart from Just Keep Watching by Tate McRae and Lose My Mind by Don Toliver featuring Doja Cat, the background scores just ties everything together.

What F1 Fans will Love (and Hate)

Whether you're a Formula 1 fan or just casual movie goers, there's a lot to enjoy in this film. The atmosphere of the paddock, the media and PR frenzy, and the internal pressure within a team all feel true to the sport. Even casual mentions of tire strategies, engine updates, and "box, box, box", are sprinkled in, which I appreciated.

But as much as I enjoyed the film, one thing left me disappointed, the portrayal of women.

Kerry Condon, who plays the role of Kate McKenna, is Apex GP's tech director. She's introduced early on in the film as someone sharp, confident, and knows what she's doing. We are introduced to another girl who is a pit crew mechanic and she makes a crucial mistake during a high pressure race. I was excited to see some representation of women in STEM but not long after, Kate is written into a romantic subplot with Pitt's charcter and it just felt unnecessary.

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Kerry Condon, no doubt, does an amazing job as Kate in the film. What frustrates me is F1 is finally starting to highlight more women in engineering and technical roles, like Laura Muller who is Estaban Ocon's engineer and even female journalists in real life, and the film could've helped push that narrative forward. Instead, it slipped into the same old Hollywood pattern, missing an opportunity.

Final Verdict

F1: The Movie isn't perfect, but it does a lot right. It captures the adrenaline and pressure of the sport perfectly.

The beauty of this film lies in it's storytelling. Despite the film's expected outcome, it had me at the edge of my seat throughout its running time. It had me happy and oddly emotional in it's conclusion.

And that, right there, is the power of effective storytelling. That even something so predictable and familiar can make you feel so many emotions.

The performances, particularly from Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, and Javier Bardem gives the movie an emotional depth beyond the usual sports drama. From a drenched and chaotic race at Silverstone to the dazzling lights of a night race in Las Vegas, the film doesn't just recreate races, it captures the mood and magic of all the nine circuits covered with real attention to detail.

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At it's core, F1: The Movie is less about lap times and more about what it means to fight for something when the odds, and the years, are against you. One of the most memorable lines that stuck with me comes during the final race in Abu Dhabi. As the tension builds and the team's capabilities are questioned, "Do they have the car?", Ruben (Javier Bardem), simply replies: "We have the Driver."

And in that moment, the film finds it's soul.