Why Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ Movie Is Set to Change the Racing Genre Forever—Plus What You Didn’t Know About the Cast!

Brad Pitt’s upcoming sports action drama F1 is already generating major buzz, with fans eagerly anticipating a high-speed thrill ride set within the world of Formula 1 racing. With an exciting mix of star power, authentic racing scenes, and a captivating storyline, the film is shaping up to be one of the biggest releases of 2025. Here’s everything we know about F1 so far, from the plot and cast to production details and more.

Release Date and Distribution

F1 is set for an international theatrical release on June 25, 2025, and will hit theaters in the United States and Canada on June 27, 2025. This timing is strategically placed around the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, allowing the film to capitalize on the global Formula 1 fanbase. Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute the movie theatrically, with screenings also planned in IMAX to provide an immersive experience for racing fans. Given its ties to Apple, the movie may also be available on Apple TV+ post-theatrical release, though no specific streaming date has been confirmed yet.

Cast and Characters

The movie boasts a star-studded ensemble cast, with Brad Pitt in the lead role as Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 driver who returns to the sport after a career-ending crash. Damson Idris plays Joshua “Noah” Pearce, a rookie driver whom Hayes mentors as they strive to elevate their fictional Apex Grand Prix (APXGP) team.

The rest of the cast includes Javier Bardem as Ruben, the team owner who convinces Hayes to come out of retirement, Kerry Condon as Kate, Tobias Menzies as Banning, and Sarah Niles as Bernadette. Other supporting roles are played by Samson Kayo (Cashman), Callie Cooke (Jodie), Simone Ashley, Abdul Salis, Joseph Balderrama (Rico Fazio), and Shea Whigham (Chip Hart).

One of the most unique aspects of the film is its inclusion of all ten Formula 1 teams from the 2023 season, who appear as themselves, along with real-life figures like former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner and three-time Le Mans winner Benoît Tréluyer, enhancing the authenticity of the racing scenes.

Plot Summary

F1 centers on the character of Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a former F1 driver who retired following a devastating crash in the 1990s. After years spent racing in other disciplines, he is convinced by Ruben (Javier Bardem), the owner of a struggling F1 team, to return to the sport and mentor the talented rookie Joshua “Noah” Pearce (Damson Idris). Together, they aim to take the fictional APXGP team from the bottom of the grid to the top.

Set against the backdrop of the Formula One World Championship, the film promises thrilling racing action, intense rivalries, and personal redemption, as Hayes and Pearce battle their way through the competitive and high-stakes world of F1 racing. The movie will not only showcase the high-speed drama of the sport but also dive into the emotional journeys of the characters as they navigate their own personal and professional struggles.

Production Details

Directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for his work on Top Gun: Maverick, and written by Ehren Kruger, F1 is a collaborative effort between Apple Original Films, Formula 1, and the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile). The screenplay is co-written by Kosinski and Kruger, who bring a deep understanding of the sport to the project.

The production budget is estimated to be between $130 million and $140 million, reflecting the large scale of the film. In addition to Brad Pitt, the film’s producers include Jerry Bruckheimer, Chad Oman, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, and notably, seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, whose involvement adds credibility to the project. Filming has taken place at several major Grand Prix events, including the British Grand Prix, where Pitt was seen driving an adapted F2 car during practice sessions. Other locations include the Silverstone Circuit, Hungarian Grand Prix, Belgian Grand Prix, Mexican Grand Prix, Las Vegas Grand Prix, and the Japanese Grand Prix in 2024. The production wrapped at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2024, ensuring that the racing scenes are as authentic as possible.

Marketing and Public Reception

As anticipation builds for F1, the film’s marketing efforts have already begun to generate excitement. Trailers and teasers have been released, including a teaser shown prior to the 2024 British Grand Prix. The teaser focused on the high-speed action, featuring dramatic crashes, fiery explosions reminiscent of Romain Grosjean’s 2021 Bahrain crash, and brief glimpses of Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem. The minimal dialogue and emphasis on the visual spectacle of racing have drawn comparisons to other acclaimed racing dramas like Rush (2013) and Ford v Ferrari (2019).

Pitt himself has expressed enthusiasm about the film, praising the supportive and accommodating nature of the F1 teams and the fantastic atmosphere on set. His excitement has only added to the growing anticipation for the film’s release, with fans eagerly awaiting the chance to experience the high-octane drama on the big screen.

Additional Notes

As the film gears up for its 2025 release, F1 promises to be an unforgettable journey into the world of Formula 1 racing. With its thrilling racing scenes, star-studded cast, and real-life F1 involvement, it is poised to be a major hit for both motorsport fans and moviegoers alike. Whether it’s the action-packed sequences or the emotional journey of its characters, F1 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated films of the year.

Fans can look forward to the adrenaline-pumping spectacle of F1 when it hits theaters on June 25, 2025, and potentially stream on Apple TV+ after its theatrical run. Until then, the world of high-speed racing is set to collide with Hollywood in a way that promises to captivate audiences worldwide.