Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), F1 (officially titled F1: The Movie) is a high-octane sports drama that revs up the Formula 1 world with stunning visuals and Brad Pitt’s effortless charisma. Released in theaters in June 2025 and now streaming on Apple TV+, this Apple Original Films production became the highest-grossing sports movie of all time, pulling in over $629 million worldwide.
Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a fictional 1990s F1 prodigy dubbed “the greatest that never was,” who retired after a devastating crash. Decades later, he’s lured back by his old friend Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem) to drive for the struggling fictional team APXGP and mentor hotshot rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris). What follows is a classic underdog story: rebuilding a bottom-tier team, clashing egos on and off the track, and chasing redemption in the ultra-competitive world of modern F1.
Pitt is perfectly cast as the laid-back veteran, channeling cool confidence reminiscent of Steve McQueen. His chemistry with Idris sparks mentor-rival tension, while Bardem adds gravitas as the desperate team owner. Supporting turns from Kerry Condon and others ground the human drama.
That said, F1 sticks closely to the sports movie playbook: predictable clichés, thin character arcs outside the leads, and some over-the-top moments that stretch realism (even for Hollywood F1). Die-hard fans might nitpick inaccuracies or the glossy promotional feel—it’s as much an ad for the sport as a film about it. The 2-hour-35-minute runtime drags in quieter dramatic stretches.
Overall, F1 crosses the finish line as a crowd-pleasing blockbuster. It’s not as deep as Rush or Ford v Ferrari, but for sheer adrenaline and star power, it’s one of the most entertaining rides of 2025. Perfect for F1 newcomers or anyone craving big-screen spectacle. Highly recommended on the largest screen possible—or now at home on Apple TV+.
