Formula 1 drivers have given their first impressions of ‘F1: The Movie’ after being invited to a preview screening ahead of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.
The film, which Lewis Hamilton has co-produced, will open next month. It stars Brad Pitt as a veteran racing driver who joins a fictional 11th team, APX, alongside a rookie driver played by Damson Idris.Hamilton’s team mate Charles Leclerc said the film is “really cool” and clearly intended to attract the widest possible audience.
“Obviously, we are looking at it as Formula 1 drivers and we always try and see all the small details that are not exactly the way we are living things,” he said. “But it’s just very Hollywood-like.
“I think that’s really, really cool because it’s not for F1 drivers at the end, it’s for a broader audience. I thought that it’s absolutely great for the sport to have a movie like that.”
Filmmakers Joseph Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer used the same technology to create the film’s in-car shots as they used to produce the successful 2022 film Top Gun: Maverick. Leclerc was particularly impressed by the footage they created.
“The scenes are incredible, I’m super-impressed by how the camera was put onto the cars and the angles that we see from the cars driving. I know that Brad drove the car a little bit as well himself which is very impressive and I’m sure he enjoyed it.
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“So it’s really cool and I think for F1 it’s amazing because obviously we are reaching people that we wouldn’t have reached without this movie as well and there’s cool storytelling as well so that’s nice.”
Pierre Gasly gave a similar description of the film. “It looked great,” said the Alpine driver. “I think, for Formula 1, for the sport, it’s an amazing opportunity to dive into our world.
It’s a Hollywood movie, but personally I’m a big fan of Brad Pitt. He makes us all look very good as a Formula 1 driver.”
Another driver who said the film had a “Hollywood” feel was Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto. “I think it’s a very Hollywood one,” he said, “but it’s nice. It’s going to be very good for those that still don’t know the sport so much.
The production team filmed footage during the previous two seasons so none of this year’s rookie drivers, such as Bortoleto, will feature in it. Another driver who won’t be in the film, Isack Hadjar, said it felt “weird to watch a movie about Formula 1” but is convinced it will prove a success.
“I think it’s going to send the sport into another dimension again. I think it’s going make the sport even bigger, which is nice.
“It’s hard to give feedback as drivers, because we’re really critical. But I think if you’re a kid or someone who doesn’t know about the sport, I think it’s the best way to get started.”
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osnola
22nd May 2025, 16:04
I guess the term “Hollywood” is the nicest form of criticism possible.
pcxmac (@pcxmac)
22nd May 2025, 17:19
were they talking about the championship or the movie ? Surely not drive to survive.
David BR (@david-br)
22nd May 2025, 16:36
Fernando Alonso acting the part of Javier Bardem, what’s not to like?
Anthony H. Tellier
22nd May 2025, 17:44
BINGO!
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
22nd May 2025, 17:04
I was into rock climbing when Cliffhanger came out starring Stallone.
Obviously, we had to go see it, and yes, it was farcical to the point of it’s being more of a comedy than a thriller.
But hey – it was entertainment – that is what Hollywood does – it entertains.
I won’t be bothering to go see this, but no doubt at some point in the future I will catch it on YouTube or some such ;P
Edvaldo
22nd May 2025, 17:20
Well, it would be a surprise had they spent hundreds of millions of dollars to make it as real as possible, just for a very small niche of people.
If it’s good and not too corny, i’ll be watching.
MichaelN
22nd May 2025, 22:10
Yeah, and Joseph Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer are no dummies. They’re obviously not making an ‘F1 Drivers: The Documentary’ and that is totally fine. Scenes that might be eye-roll inducing to long-term fans are still part of what F1 or motorsport in general is like in the public consciousness, and it’s only to be expected that they lean into that to grab people’s attention. Especially in the trailers.
João
22nd May 2025, 20:01
Settling for “well, it’s Hollywood…” is the last thing I want to do as a film fan…If it’s realistic racing-wise but mediocre overall, what’s even the point?
Ferdi
23rd May 2025, 14:21
I agree with you but we are not the target audience. The target audience wants a hamburger, not a well prepared steak. And they largely outnumber us.
ykiki (@ykiki)
22nd May 2025, 21:09
Well, I, for one, sure hope a high-budget Hollywood movie actually looks like a high-budget Hollywood movie. I just goes we’re closer to Grand Prix and Rush than to Driven!
ykiki (@ykiki)
22nd May 2025, 21:12
Grammar correction:
Well, I, for one, sure hope a high-budget Hollywood movie actually looks like a high-budget Hollywood movie, as long as it’s closer to Grand Prix and Rush than to Driven!
Martin (@f1hornet)
23rd May 2025, 11:28
Ever since I first heard about an F1 film, I expected it to be technically amazing, but probably a bit silly and ultimately a bit unrealistic and boring for an F1 fan. Maybe not quite as bad as Driven, but I’m not expecting much.
Femke
23rd May 2025, 11:59
Nice so no need to go see it. Thanks, my dudes!
Cdfemke
23rd May 2025, 12:00
What happened to that movie Hamilton wanted to produce? Did that ever developped into a viable project?
Ferdi
23rd May 2025, 14:24
that’s what Wiki has to say about it. He probably put some money behind it and will be listed as a co-producer