Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a veteran Formula One racer who refuses to slow down 30 years after a devastating crash sidelines his career. In ‘F1’, Pitt brings his signature mix of aloofness and swagger to the role, playing against type as a stubborn outsider who still has surprises up his sleeve.
Sonny’s life takes a dramatic turn when an old friend and racing buddy, Ruben (Javier Bardem), reaches out with a plea for help from his struggling Formula One team, Apex. Sonny reluctantly agrees to drive for the team, but clashes with the younger driver, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris). As they engage in a heated rivalry on and off the track, their relationship is tested.
The film’s director, Joseph Kosinski, proves himself to be a master of action cinema, delivering slick and precision-tooled entertainment. The racing scenes are beautifully shot and crisply edited, with Pitt and Idris performing their own driving stunts that add to the movie’s authenticity.
With Pitt in the lead role, ‘F1’ benefits from his star power, bringing a sense of vulnerability and emotional depth to Sonny’s character. However, at times, the film relies on familiar Hollywood tropes, including Sonny’s inspirational monologue about what drives him to keep racing.
Despite its predictable plot, ‘F1’ is an engaging and thrilling ride, thanks in large part to Pitt’s charismatic performance and Kosinski’s impressive filmmaking skills. The result is a movie that will leave you cheering for the underdog driver and eager to see more from this unlikely hero.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/26/nx-s1-5445230/f1-movie-review-brad-pitt