Parijat Ghosh 
Screaming engines. Wild crowd. Cars zoom by at impossible velocities. That’s Formula 1 for you. And now, Hollywood has brought it to the cinema with Brad Pitt’s new movie, F1: The Movie. Out this summer, it boasts high-speed action, star power, and some of the most realistic race scenes ever captured on film.
But here’s the truth—if you’ve never actually watched Formula 1 racing, you’re only getting half the experience. The film was made inside the real world of F1, with real tracks, real teams, and real drama as inspiration. So, must you watch the sports to experience the movie? Let’s talk about it.
Hollywood vs. Real Tracks
With assistance from F1 teams and the governing body, the FIA, the film was shot during actual Grand Prix weekends. So, it’s not just about fast cars; it’s also about real places and real racing.
If you’ve watched a few actual races, you’ll know exactly what to look for when the film plays YouTube-quality footage of Silverstone or Monaco, and it will feel much more realistic.
The Actual Drama Of The Sports
In the film, Brad Pitt portrays Sonny Hayes, a once-talented driver who returns to rescue APXGP, a failing team, and clashes with rookie Joshua Pearce (played by Damson Idris).
Do you hear phrases like “undercut” or “pole position”? These will be familiar to you if you have seen real races before, which will heighten the drama in the movie. Additionally, the movie channels a certain vibe from real-life F1 stories, such as Hamilton vs. Verstappen, and if you’ve witnessed those rivalries in action, you’ll feel the same way.
High Visuals With Precise References
Because director Joseph Kosinski chose not to use computer-generated imagery, critics laud the film’s racing sequences as some of the most stunning ever. The movie’s visuals feel even more breathtaking rather than merely dazzling when you realise how fast these cars can really go—350 km/h, G-forces that hold you down.
Movie Beyond A Star Cast
On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie received an incredible 97% from viewers and 82% from critics. However, despite those figures, some reviews point out that although the racing is spectacular, the plot occasionally seems clichéd or predictable.
Viewing actual Formula One race drama provides perspective; you can see when the movie becomes light-hearted and when it shifts towards tension from the real world.
Conclusion: See It or Skip It?
F1 brings about the most well-known artists on the soundtrack. Don Toliver, Doja Cat, Ed Sheeran, Rosé, Tate McRae, and even Hans Zimmer. So, if not for the cast, you should experience racing with a livid soundtrack. Even if you haven’t watched the sports, at least read some of the contemporary events that shape Formula 1’s popularity before watching the movie.
If you have any questions regarding F1: The Movie or the sports, feel free to ask in the comments below. For more content, stay tuned. As usual, like, subscribe, and share our articles as we here are trying to build a community of people High on Cinema!
