As a dedicated F1 fan and motorsport journalist, the thought of Formula 1 exploding onto the big screen is always an electrifying proposition. So I settled into my IMAX seat with adrenaline-fuelled anticipation, hoping for a cinematic spectacle that captured the raw energy of the sport. And while the film certainly delivered in visual horsepower, the story itself unfortunately ran out of gas.
Let’s start with the positives. Full credit to the filmmakers—especially under the Apple banner—for crafting a visually and sonically immersive experience. The roar of the engines, the stunning cinematography, the sweeping drone shots through circuits—it’s all a feast for the senses. The racing sequences are meticulously choreographed and genuinely thrilling, making you wonder why real-life F1 races aren’t showcased in cinemas more often. Imagine a Verstappen-Hamilton battle at Silverstone projected in IMAX—Formula 1, take note.
But once the helmets come off and the plot kicks in, things go downhill fast.
Casting Brad Pitt as a veteran racer who once went toe-to-toe with Senna and Schumacher, now returning mid-season to dominate against drivers half his age? It’s not just a stretch—it crashes head-on into believability. It trivialises the years of physical, mental, and technical dedication real F1 drivers commit to just to compete, let alone win. It comes off more like Hollywood fantasy than motorsport authenticity.
Even more disappointing is the treatment of its female lead—a brilliant technical director inexplicably reduced to a love interest. In an era when F1 is actively championing women in motorsport, reducing her to a dated romantic subplot feels like a missed opportunity—and a tone-deaf one at that.
And then there’s the last-minute villain: a cartoonishly evil investor who shows up late in the script to sabotage a car upgrade. It feels like an afterthought, inserted for drama but lacking any grounding in the high-stakes world of Formula 1. This subplot would be more at home in a soap opera than a motorsport epic.
Still, not everything misfires. F1 fans will appreciate the clever nods sprinkled throughout the film—no doubt thanks to Lewis Hamilton’s involvement as producer. Hans Zimmer’s pulsating score injects genuine intensity, and the on-screen chemistry between Brad Pitt and Damson Idris does offer occasional charm, even if the writing doesn’t always do them justice.
In the end, if you’re here for the breathtaking racing visuals and thunderous engine notes, this film has enough to justify your ticket. But if you’re hoping for a story that does justice to the grit, complexity, and passion of Formula 1, you might want to temper your expectations.
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