“Brad Pitt Hits the Track: Inside the High-Octane World of F1 (2025)”

Theatrical Release Poster

Title: F1

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer

Writer: Ehren Kruger

Lead Cast: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Genre: Sports Drama / Action

Language: English

Production Companies: Apple Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures

Release Date: June 27, 2025 (Theatrical)

Plot Summary: A veteran F1 driver returns to mentor a rising star on the grid, navigating rivalry, speed, and redemption.

Filming Style: Shot during real F1 Grand Prix events with authentic racing sequences

Budget: Estimated over $130 million

Distribution: Global theatrical release followed by streaming on Apple TV+

F1 (2025 film)

F1 is an upcoming American sports drama film directed by Joseph Kosinski, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Lewis Hamilton, and written by Ehren Kruger. The film stars Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, and Tobias Menzies, and centers around the world of Formula One racing. Set in a high-stakes motorsport environment, F1 blends high-octane racing sequences with personal drama, offering a cinematic experience that explores ambition, redemption, and the evolving nature of professional racing.

The film is co-produced by Apple Studios and made in collaboration with Formula One Management, marking one of the most authentic depictions of F1 ever presented in Hollywood. Real-life F1 teams, tracks, and drivers are incorporated into the production to provide realism, including on-site filming during live F1 events.

The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on June 25, 2025, internationally, and on June 27, 2025, in the United States and Canada. It will later stream on Apple TV+.

Plot

The story revolves around Sonny Hayes (played by Brad Pitt), a former Formula One driver from the 1990s who was forced into early retirement following a traumatic crash. Decades later, Hayes is drawn back into the sport by Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), the owner of the struggling APXGP team. Cervantes enlists Hayes not only to return as a driver but to mentor their promising young talent, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), a rising star grappling with the immense pressure of F1.

As Hayes returns to the circuit, he faces the challenges of adapting to modern-day F1—technologically superior cars, advanced telemetry, and a ruthless competitive atmosphere. Meanwhile, Pearce must learn to trust a mentor who many consider past his prime. Together, they aim to push APXGP from the back of the grid to a podium contender.

Interpersonal tensions arise between the team principal Kate (Kerry Condon), the stern FIA director Banning (Tobias Menzies), and other drivers on the grid. These dynamics form the emotional core of a film that juxtaposes life at 200 mph with deeply personal narratives of struggle, fear, and ambition.

Cast

Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a retired F1 driver making a comeback
Damson Idris as Joshua "Noah" Pearce, a young rising F1 star
Kerry Condon as Kate, the APXGP team principal
Javier Bardem as Ruben Cervantes, owner of the APXGP team
Tobias Menzies as Banning, an FIA executive
Shea Whigham as Chip Hart, a veteran engineer
Sarah Niles as Bernadette Pearce, Joshua’s mother
Kim Bodnia as Kaspar, APXGP’s technical director
Samson Kayo, Callie Cooke, Will Merrick, and others in supporting roles

Cameo appearances from actual F1 drivers include:

Charles Leclerc
Lando Norris
Pierre Gasly
Esteban Ocon

Team principals like Guenther Steiner and Toto Wolff also appear, adding realism and credibility.

Development

The idea for F1 originated from a collaborative vision between Joseph Kosinski and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who wanted to bring the thrill and emotion of Formula One to a wide audience through a narrative-driven film. By 2021, Kosinski and Hamilton teamed with producer Jerry Bruckheimer and writer Ehren Kruger to develop a compelling story grounded in authenticity.

In early 2022, a major bidding war erupted among studios. Apple Studios won the rights in a deal reportedly exceeding $130 million, reflecting the scale and ambition of the project. The film was developed with input from Formula One Management, ensuring the sport's portrayal remains accurate and respectful.

Filming and Production

Filming began in mid-2023 and continued throughout the 2024 F1 season. Kosinski adopted an innovative production style, integrating movie scenes into actual Grand Prix weekends. Key locations included:

Silverstone Circuit, UK
Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi
Hungaroring, Hungary
Circuit of the Americas, USA
Las Vegas Strip Circuit, USA

The production used a modified Formula 2 car outfitted with cameras to serve as the APXGP vehicle. Special rigs allowed the car to capture racing sequences at full speed alongside real F1 cars during practice sessions and downtime. All filming was coordinated with the FIA to ensure safety and compliance.

The visual effects are handled by Framestore, with cinematography led by Claudio Miranda. Sound design and editing are given special focus to immerse audiences in the visceral experience of racing.

Themes and Style

F1 is not just a racing film—it’s a character study. Themes include:

Redemption: Hayes’ journey from a forgotten legend to a guiding force
Mentorship: The evolving bond between Hayes and Pearce
Innovation vs. Legacy: The clash between tradition and technology
Identity in Sport: The pressure on athletes to perform and define themselves

Joseph Kosinski employs a clean, immersive visual style using IMAX cameras and practical effects wherever possible. The intent is to offer viewers a sense of being inside the cockpit, feeling every turn and vibration.

Music

The score is composed by Hans Zimmer, building on his previous collaborations with Kosinski. The music blends orchestral arrangements with ambient and techno elements, mirroring the fusion of man and machine in F1.

Additionally, a promotional album titled F1: The Album features original songs from major artists:

Doja Cat
Don Toliver
Rosé (BLACKPINK)
Myke Towers
Dom Dolla

The album is slated to drop the same week as the theatrical release.

Theatrical Release Poster

Marketing

The marketing campaign began with a teaser during the 2024 British Grand Prix. It continued with:

A TV spot during Super Bowl LIX
Behind-the-scenes vlogs on Apple TV+ and YouTube
Partnerships with F1 teams for cross-promotion
Interactive fan events at race weekends

Merchandise includes APXGP-themed apparel, replica car models, and a VR experience simulating a hot lap.

Release

International Theatrical Release: June 25, 2025
North America: June 27, 2025
IMAX and Dolby Cinema: Supported
Streaming Release (Apple TV+): Fall 2025 (date TBA)

The film’s global rollout includes premieres in London, Abu Dhabi, and New York City.

Critical Response (Pre-Release)

Though the film has not yet premiered, early private screenings and feedback from within the F1 paddock have been overwhelmingly positive. Charles Leclerc praised the "realistic visuals," and Lando Norris commented on the “great storytelling and character depth.”

Potential Impact

F1 is anticipated to have significant influence on how motorsport is portrayed in film, following in the footsteps of acclaimed racing dramas like Rush (2013) and Ford v Ferrari (2019). With direct F1 involvement and cutting-edge production techniques, it sets a new standard for sports cinema.

The film is also expected to boost global interest in Formula One, especially in regions where the sport has traditionally lagged.

Trivia

The fictional APXGP team uses a color scheme inspired by McLaren and Red Bull.
Brad Pitt trained with Mercedes-AMG Petronas engineers to understand real telemetry.
Damson Idris spent three weeks in an F2 simulator before filming.
Kosinski’s production team included former engineers from the Top Gun: Maverick aerial crew.

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F1 : The Movie (2025)