From fighter jets to Formula 1, makers of Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer are once again putting audiences in the driver’s seat. Designed specifically for IMAX, F1: The Movie offers an unprecedented, immersive racing experience.  

Shot during actual live F1 races and enriched by the expertise of Lewis Hamilton as producer, this groundbreaking film captures the speed, danger, and drama of motorsport like never before. Take it from us. You are RIGHT there in the driving seat, literally and figuratively. 

We sent along F1 fan and aficionado Emily Tate to the premiere to check out the film before it hits the theatres. Here’s everything you need to know, from the first lap to the checkered flag. But first, a word from Brad.

A scene from Apple Original Films’ “F1® The Movie,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

A (Brad) Pitt-stop 

The A-list cast from F1: The Movie has certainly revved-up expectations. Star of Fight Club, Inglorious Bastards and Bullet Train, Brad Pitt is no stranger to an action film. Speaking about F1: The Movie, Pitt share his awe at driving real F1 cars. 

“I still don’t know how we got away with it,” he said about how he, alongside producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Joseph Kosinski, made what Pitt called “the most visceral driving experience that’s ever been put on film.”

And what they got away with was putting Pitt and his fellow actor Damson Idris into professional race cars and filming them at top speeds. “The forces in these cars, the high-speed corners, the physics of it all want to rip your head from your shoulders,” says Pitt. “It’s shocking what these cars can do. And it’s a high unlike any high I’ve ever experienced before. We just couldn’t capture it any other way.”

Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes in Apple Original Films’ “F1® The Movie,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo by Scott Garfield Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures / Apple Original Films

Joseph Kosinski and Brad Pitt on the set of Apple Original Films’ “F1® The Movie,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo by Scott Garfield. Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures / Apple Original Films

It’s a film that will appeal to everyone, not just F1 fans…

Pitt says that the magic of the movie is the way it will appeal equally to longtime fans of the sport and to anyone who’s never even heard of Formula 1. “Threading that needle was the biggest challenge. But I think we’ve done that; made it enlightening enough and understandable for newcomers without dumbing it down for ultra fans. It’s funny, it’s aggressive, it’s driving, and it’s surprisingly heartwarming. I love all these characters. I think this film is so damn entertaining on so many levels.”

Joining Pitt is Damson Idris as his teammate-come-rival Joshua Pearce. Poised as one of Hollywood’s most dynamic rising stars, you may recognise him from his role as drug kingpin Franklin Saint in FX’s Snowfall. Or from his roles in Black Mirror and Swarm.

Pursuing something more adrenaline-driven, Idris has always hankered after a heart-stopping physical opportunity like this film. Speaking to GQ recently, Idris says, “I said I wanted to play an athlete and along came F1.” Later, discussing the film in an interview with the NME he adds, “It’s relatable for people who aren’t even F1 fans because it’s not only about being an underdog, but about being given a second chance. That’s something everyone deserves.” 

DAMSON IDRIS as Joshua Pearce in Apple Original Films’ “F1® The Movie,” a Warner Bros movie. Photo by Scott Garfield Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures / Apple Original Films

Rounding out the star-studded crew (and offering the only strong female character in the whole show) is Kerry Condon, most recently from Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. And Javier Barden, who played a key role in the viral and critically acclaimed series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. Capping this all off is Game of Thrones star, Tobias Menzies. 

Read more: You’re never too old, and it’s never too late

The premiere – our take on the film 

We asked Emily to attend this exclusive event for us because she’s an experienced F1 fan who’s worked in live events for years. She’s spent a lot of time at F1 tracks, and knows what’s she’s talking about. So, what did she think? 

“From what I had heard and seen I had a feeling it would be very different to any sport-based film I’d seen before, as it had been filmed so closely alongside the actual sport,” she says. “I thought it would give a good insight behind the scenes of Formula One. 

“I think the film felt amazingly immersive. Not just like being in an F1 car, but also the real-life races and racing environment. I loved that the film included real-time F1 drivers, team principals, broadcasters, and press.”

“I was also pleasantly surprised with the humour and comedy elements that were brought into it. You really felt as though you were almost watching a documentary or someone’s real life.” 

The film seems very male-oriented. In fact, most of the characters throughout are male. Is it just a lot of dick-waving macho behaviour, or is there more to it? 

“Kerry Condon, who played the first female engineer, really showed the strength that women in F1 actually have. It’s obviously a very male dominated sport, but her character really represented a strong and intelligent woman in a role that would have stereotypically been seen as a male role. 

(l-r) Kerry Condon as Kate and Kim Bodnia as Kaspar in Apple Original Films’ “F1® The Movie,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures / Apple Original Films

“I think Brad Pitt and Damson Idris were brilliant. Damson really stood out, and I think you could pick up the influence that Lewis Hamilton has had on the film. Maybe how he may have felt at the start of his own career as a young black, British F1 rookie.” 

Let’s talk about the driving scenes… 

“These were amazing and something I’ve never seen done so well in a movie before. Both drivers actually drove the cars in the film during live races. And you really felt as if you were in the car with them. Because the races were shot during real race weekends with the current drivers it felt very current, and very real! 

“It’s also something that true-blue F1 fans will love. There are so many references to in-jokes within the sport circles. There’s a lot of the real team owners, principals and drivers in it too, so you get to see the sport from so many different angles.” 

A scene from Apple Original Films’ “F1® The Movie,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures / Apple Original Films

The storyline is perhaps inevitably secondary to the incredible tech and visual experience that the film offers. And to be fair, it’s not exactly a plot that will have anyone scratching their heads to understand. Without giving away too many spoilers: 

“The storyline about the team being the underdog and the outcome of the races felt very predictable, until the final race comes around where it is touch and go, and you don’t know what might happen. I won’t say any more than that! 

“With the romance plot (there is one!), again because this did feel completely predictable. But I think it worked well within the overall story line so that it wasn’t just about the racing.” 

And so, any final words?  

“You could definitely feel the influence of Lewis in this film heavily. From how the drivers would interact with each other, how strategy meetings are led, how everyone interacts in the team garage to everything that goes on back at the teams HQ it just felt very real.”  

“Everyone and anyone will enjoy this film. It’s not an intellectual challenge, but equally, you really don’t have to be an F1 fan to enjoy it.” 

What do the critics say? 

So far, F1: The Movie has received glowing reviews:

• IMDb: 7.9/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
• Common Sense Media: 4/5
• The Guardian: ★★★★ – “Spectacular macho melodrama”

The consensus? F1: The Movie is ‘fresh’ and ‘fast-paced’. It delivers the emotional punch of an underdog story with the high-octane thrills of a live Grand Prix. Whether you’re a racing diehard or a total newcomer, this film puts you right on the track – and doesn’t ease off the gas.

F1: The Movie in UK cinemas from 25 June 2025.
F1: The Movie official website

Emma Cruickshank

Emma is a literature, TV, and film enthusiast. When she’s not writing, she can normally be found out in the Sussex countryside, walking her dog Herbie, or in a restaurant drinking an overpriced cocktail and dreaming up ideas for her next literary endeavour.

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