The highly anticipated <a href="https://news.quantosei.com/2025/06/28/a-thrilling-epic-about-one-of-the-worlds-fastest-sports/" title="Ultimate F1 movie Review: Brad Pitt's racing Underdog Epic”>formula 1 drama starring Brad Pitt, tentatively titled ‘F1,’ has roared onto the scene, claiming the top spot at the box office on its opening day. This impressive debut marks a significant moment, not just for Hollywood, but potentially for the sport of Formula 1 itself as it aggressively pursues expansion within the United States market. Pitt’s latest film has already shattered records for Apple Studios, signaling strong audience interest in the high-octane world of motorsport.
Formula 1 Film Takes Pole Position
The Brad Pitt-led ‘F1’ movie wasted no time in establishing dominance, hitting the No. 1 position on Friday, its very first day in theaters. According to data from The Numbers, the film accelerated to an impressive $25 million in earnings on its opener. Box office projections for the entire opening weekend are even more substantial, estimating the movie could reach a remarkable $60 million.
This immediate success represents a historic achievement for Apple Studios. The film’s opening weekend gross is officially the largest ever recorded by the studio, dethroning their previous record holder, Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed “Killers of the Flower Moon.” The strong performance suggests a compelling blend of star power, a globally popular sport subject, and sophisticated filmmaking techniques resonating with audiences.
While ‘F1’ sped ahead, other films held their ground in the competitive marketplace. The live-action remake of “How to Train Your Dragon” remained in second place on its third Friday, adding $5.74 million to its tally. This remake is projected to earn $19 million over its current weekend. Debuting in third was “M3GAN 2.0,” the sequel featuring the eerie AI doll, which earned $4.53 million on its first day. Disney and Pixar’s animated feature “Elio” landed in fourth place on its second Friday, taking in $3.2 million. Rounding out the top five was the zombie thriller “28 Years Later,” which saw a drop to fifth place with $3 million after opening at No. 1 just the previous Friday.
Inside the Story: Comeback on the Track
The film centers on a compelling narrative rooted in the intense world of Formula 1 racing. Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a former racing prodigy whose promising F1 career was tragically cut short years ago. The story follows Hayes as he makes a dramatic comeback after decades away from the sport.
Recruited by his friend and former rival, Ruben Cervantes (played by Javier Bardem), who now owns the struggling APXGP team, Hayes is tasked with helping revitalize the team. A key dynamic unfolds between the veteran driver and the team’s talented, but high-adrenaline, rookie, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris). Their relationship, navigating the demands of teamwork versus individual ambition in a fiercely competitive environment, forms a central part of the plot. Adding to the team’s complexity is technical director Kate McKenna (Kerry Condon), who must work to ensure cooperation and peak performance.
Authenticity Drives Production
One of the most talked-about aspects of the ‘F1’ film is its commitment to realism in depicting the racing world. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for his visually stunning work on “Top Gun: Maverick,” the film employs many of the same techniques to immerse the audience in the driver’s perspective.
Notably, the production largely avoided relying on CGI for the race sequences. Instead, the crew filmed extensively during actual Grand Prix weekends at iconic circuits around the world, including Silverstone, Monza, Las Vegas, and Suzuka. This provided unprecedented access to capture the authentic atmosphere, sounds, and raw speed of real F1 racing. Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, served as a producer and advisor on the film, ensuring technical accuracy. Brad Pitt himself reportedly underwent extensive training and drove real race cars, logging thousands of miles to bring a tangible authenticity to his performance. Critics have lauded the film’s visual spectacle and visceral racing scenes, comparing them favorably to some of the best ever filmed. The use of immersive camera angles, including techniques developed for Top Gun: Maverick, places the viewer directly in the cockpit, creating a thrilling, high-speed experience.
Critical Reception: Speed vs. Story
Initial reviews for ‘F1’ highlight a striking contrast between the film’s technical achievements and its narrative depth. Critics widely praise Joseph Kosinski’s direction and the breathtaking execution of the racing sequences. The visuals are described as having “no peer,” capturing the adrenaline and intensity of F1 like few films before it. The commitment to practical effects and filming during live events is frequently cited as a major success.
However, many reviews point to significant weaknesses in the film’s script and storytelling. Some critics found the non-racing scenes and character interactions to be predictable, relying on familiar tropes from previous sports or action films. Dialogue has been described as “wooden” in parts, and the overall plot structure, particularly the dramatic elements between races, was seen as lacking momentum. While the film attempts to explain aspects of F1 strategy, some reviewers felt it didn’t fully integrate the complexity of the sport into a clear or compelling dramatic arc during the races themselves, sometimes relying heavily on commentators to explain the action. Despite these criticisms regarding narrative depth, the sheer excitement and technical brilliance of the racing scenes were enough for many to recommend the film, particularly in premium large formats.
A Strategic Lap for Formula 1
The release and box office success of the ‘F1’ movie is intricately linked to Formula 1’s strategic push for greater popularity in the United States. While F1 has long been a global powerhouse, its foothold in the U.S. market has historically been less dominant compared to other major sports.
Liberty Media, the US-based owner of F1, has made North America a key area for growth since acquiring the sport in 2017. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has acknowledged past missteps and emphasized a “completely changed” strategy focused on continuous fan engagement. The film is seen as a vital tool in this effort, aiming to introduce the sport to a wider audience and explain its appeal beyond existing fans. Domenicali views the movie as a “very big opportunity” to represent the F1 brand and bring “a lot of energy” that can captivate even newcomers.
This movie complements other recent efforts to boost F1’s US profile, including the addition of high-profile races like the Miami Grand Prix (2022) and the Las Vegas Grand Prix (2023). Furthermore, the popular Netflix docuseries “Drive to Survive” has already played a significant role in increasing F1’s American fanbase, particularly attracting new demographics like female viewers. The film builds on this momentum, offering a large-scale fictional drama designed to capitalize on and further fuel interest generated by the series. Despite challenges like time zone differences for viewing races and competition from established US motorsports, F1 is banking on ventures like the Brad Pitt film to accelerate its growth trajectory in the lucrative American market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the basic plot of the Brad Pitt F1 movie?
The film centers on Sonny Hayes, a retired Formula 1 racing talent played by Brad Pitt, who makes a comeback to the sport. He joins a struggling team, APXGP, owned by his former rival. Alongside a talented young rookie, Hayes works to improve the team’s performance while navigating rivalries and the challenges of elite motorsport.
How authentic is the racing depicted in the F1 movie?
The movie goes to great lengths to achieve authenticity. Director Joseph Kosinski filmed extensively during real Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends, using practical effects and avoiding CGI for the cars whenever possible. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was involved as a producer to ensure accuracy. Brad Pitt also underwent significant training and drove real race cars during production.
Why is the F1 movie important for Formula 1’s growth in the US?
Formula 1 is actively trying to expand its audience in the United States, a key market for its owner, Liberty Media. The Brad Pitt film is viewed as a major component of this strategy. Following the success of the “Drive to Survive” series, the movie aims to capture even wider public interest, introducing the sport’s drama and excitement to potential new fans on a large cinematic scale.
A Winning Start
The ‘F1’ movie’s powerful box office debut signals strong audience enthusiasm for the combination of Brad Pitt, Joseph Kosinski’s directorial flair, and the inherent spectacle of Formula 1. While critics may debate the film’s balance between breathtaking action and narrative depth, its immediate financial success is undeniable. Beyond the movie theaters, this film represents a strategic play in Formula 1’s larger game to cement its status as a major sport in the United States, potentially drafting off cinematic popularity to gain new fans and secure its future growth.
