F1
Movie, 2025, The 2020s, Set in Formula One
F1 is #34 of 35 in release order and #34 of 35 in chronological order in the Sports Movies.
The story
Racing legend Sonny Hayes is coaxed out of retirement to lead a struggling Formula 1 team—and mentor a young hotshot driver—while chasing one more chance at glory.
F1 recap
F1 (2025) follows Sonny Hayes, a Formula One driver whose career ended in a 1993 crash, who returns 30 years later to save his old teammate's failing team. Joseph Kosinski directs the motor racing drama, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Lewis Hamilton and filmed at real Grand Prix weekends. Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) is a racer for hire, fresh from winning at Daytona, when Rubén Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of the APXGP team, tells him his investors will sell unless they win one of the last nine races. Sonny joins technical director Kate McKenna (Kerry Condon) and rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), who resents him. Sonny bends the rules, causing safety cars so Joshua can score points, and pushes for aerodynamic upgrades. At Monza Joshua ignores advice, crashes and burns, and Sonny pulls him out. Joshua later takes Sonny out at Spa, and Sonny and Kate spend a night together. In release order F1 comes after Challengers and before The Smashing Machine.
F1 ending explained
F1 ends with Sonny winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, saving APXGP, then leaving for the Baja 1000. After a crash in Las Vegas, Rubén learns Sonny is medically unfit and fires him, and board member Peter Banning (Tobias Menzies) admits he sabotaged the team to force a sale. Sonny returns anyway, hiding blurred vision. In a three-lap sprint after a red flag, he holds off Lewis Hamilton so Joshua can lead, then wins after Joshua and Hamilton collide. Joshua turns down a seat at Mercedes. The film is the highest-grossing auto racing film ever.
Where to watch F1
F1 is streaming on Apple TV in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.6/10, Rotten Tomatoes 82%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Challengers, before The Smashing Machine.
- Chronological order: after Challengers, before The Smashing Machine.
Cast
- Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes
- Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce
- Javier Bardem as Ruben Cervantes
- Kerry Condon as Kate McKenna
- Tobias Menzies as Peter Banning
- Kim Bodnia as Kaspar Smolinski
- Sarah Niles as Bernadette
- Will Merrick as Nickleby
- Joseph Balderrama as Fazio
- Abdul Salis as Dodge
- Callie Cooke as Jodie
- Samson Kayo as Cash
Directed by Joseph Kosinski.