Quartile rating: 7/10 · 2 ratings
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 (2025) delivers stunning on-track cinematography shot during real Grand Prix weekends, giving it an immersive authenticity that racing films rarely achieve. Brad Pitt and the supporting cast perform capably, elevating fairly familiar material. However, the plot is a well-worn comeback narrative with few surprises—aging legend, young rival/mentee, struggling underdog team—that hits every expected beat. Novelty suffers because the core story template is recycled from Rocky-style sports dramas, though the F1 production access is distinctive. The ending resolves satisfyingly if predictably, delivering the emotional payoff audiences expect without subverting or transcending the formula.