### **F1: The Movie – A Thrilling Yet Implausible Ride**
The highly anticipated **F1: The Movie**, featuring **Brad Pitt**, plunges the audience into the high-octane world of Formula 1 racing. Yet, it faces an uphill battle in standing out from the massively popular Netflix series, **Formula 1: Drive to Survive**. Is it thrilling? Absolutely. But is it realistic? That’s a different story.
#### **Fast Facts About F1: The Movie**
– **What**: A middle-aged driver’s improbable comeback to the elite world of F1 racing.
– **Starring**: Brad Pitt and Damson Idris
– **Directed by**: Joseph Kosinski
– **When**: In cinemas now
– **Likely to make you feel**: Pumped with adrenaline but maybe a bit disappointed.
### **A Thrilling Premise with a Flawed Execution**
The Netflix series has expertly humanized F1 drivers, team managers, and owners, transforming them into global icons 💫. With this setup, the film’s **ludicrous narrative** tries to capture that magic, but falls short.
**Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes**, a once-promising driver who retired after a harrowing crash at the Spanish Grand Prix three decades prior. Now, he shuffles through minor motorsport events, embodying what some would call a “has-been.” This is until **Ruben Cervantes** (played by **Javier Bardem**), the owner of struggling fictional team APX GP, makes a desperate plea for Sonny to return as a lead driver.
### **Dynamic Duos and Dairy Controversies**
As Sonny reluctantly steps back into the driver’s seat, he’s tasked with mentoring the **rebellious rookie** Joshua Pearce, a role played brilliantly by **Damson Idris**. Their intense rivalry stems from not just the age gap but their conflicting styles and attitudes towards racing.
**Joshua**, a vibrant young driver, represents the new wave of F1—driven, ambitious, and ready to challenge **the white elite’s playground** that the sport has historically embodied. Conversely, **Sonny** embodies nostalgia and an outdated charm that seems unprepared for the evolving landscape of racing.
### **A World of Implausible Wins and Dramatic Escapes**
Despite being riddled with clichés and implausibility, the film manages to forge an engrossing dynamic between its leads. However, it’s hard to ignore how quickly and inexplicably the APX GP team turns from zeroes to heroes. Remarkably, Sonny’s **“race strategies,”** which overshadow any real preparation or skill, seem to defy both logic and safety, treading dangerously into territory that could have catastrophic real-world consequences.
It’s perplexing that, given the involvement of **Lewis Hamilton**, a seven-time F1 World Champion, the film chooses to disregard the intricate realities of racing in favor of melodrama and flashy spectacle.
### **Missed Opportunities and Narrative Hurdles**
**Flaws in character development** emerge when exploring Sonny’s past trauma—the near-fatal crash that should haunt him is dismissed as if it never existed. Likewise, when Joshua faces his own terrifying crash, the impacts are brushed aside. This failure to develop trauma and coping mechanisms undermines the potential depth that could have been added to their respective arcs.
#### **Representation in F1: The Movie**
While the film boasts a **diverse cast**, it notoriously mishandles the integration of marginalized characters. Notably, the only female character on the pit crew is portrayed as incompetent during a crucial moment. Meanwhile, Kate McKenna, APX GP’s first female technical director, is relegated to a romantic subplot—an all-too-common trope in Hollywood.
### **Cinematic Brilliance Amidst Its Flaws**
Despite its narrative shortcomings, **F1: The Movie** excels in **visuals and sound**. The driving sequences are **undeniably gripping**, as acclaimed director **Joseph Kosinski** immerses viewers in the adrenaline-fueled world of F1. Shot on real circuits during live race weekends—from the legendary Silverstone to Monza—the film captures the raw intensity of F1 racing brilliantly.
The original score by the legendary **Hans Zimmer** elevates the cinematic experience, adding to the tension of the high-speed action. The exhilarating cameos from real-world F1 figures, including **Max Verstappen** and team executive **Toto Wolff**, offer fans some added delight.
### **The Final Lap: An Uncertain Conclusion**
Ultimately, while **F1: The Movie** might resonate with die-hard racing fans and those intrigued by Brad Pitt’s charisma, its lack of depth and reliance on fantastical elements may leave some viewers feeling underwhelmed. It misses a prime opportunity to convey deeper themes of ageism and privilege within the sport, settling instead for a superficial ride.
As a fictionalized version of **Drive to Survive** that demands a suspension of disbelief, **F1: The Movie** is at least serviceable for a fun night out, though it certainly could have driven harder towards making a meaningful impact.
### **F1 is in cinemas now.**
Whether you choose to indulge or pass on this film, you are guaranteed a thrilling experience—albeit one rooted more in spectacle than reality.
