F1: The Movie is an empty spectacle that drags to the finish line

2022 saw some cinematic wonders unfold as directors Joseph Kosinski and Ehren Kruger collaborated on the sensational follow-up to an earlier film, titled Top Gun: Maverick. This blockbuster continuation amassed a breathtaking $1.5 billion at global box offices, cementing its place as a remarkable cinematic achievement.

Unfortunately, it’s not possible for the trick to be recreated because real-life magic doesn’t occur when Kosinski and Kruger reunite in the movie “F1: The Movie”.

In a span of approximately two and a half hours, the movie “F1: The Movie” endeavors to combine the heartwarming tale of an underdog in the world of sports with a genuine and engaging Formula 1 (F1) experience, appealing not just to dedicated fans but also to those who are new to the sport. And let’s not forget that one of its characters even mentions having binge-watched “Drive to Survive,” which seems to suggest a level of realism and immersion similar to that series.

As a gamer, I can say that the racing scenes in this game truly deliver an immersive experience. They are so technically impressive that I feel like I’m really behind the wheel, revving up for the race as the lights go out and we take off. It’s easy to see why Apple wanted a big-screen release before it hits Apple TV+ – these sequences are just too good to be scaled down!

Interestingly, it turns out that F1: The Movie contains less racing than one might expect. This may disappoint ardent Formula One enthusiasts while leaving casual viewers puzzled as to why there’s such a stir about it.

One significant issue with the movie lies in its selection of central focus. A more compelling underdog tale could have been crafted around Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), the brash, overconfident newcomer at APXGP. Through the narrative, he might have evolved and ultimately triumphed in his first race, delivering a satisfying conclusion.

However, contrary to expectations, the main emphasis of “F1: The Movie” is on Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt). As APXGP technical director Kate (Kerry Condon) explains, Sonny was not exactly a has-been, but more like someone who never truly made it. Once hailed as F1’s most promising driver, Sonny’s career came to an abrupt halt due to an accident in 1993, effectively ending his involvement in Formula One.

Previously, Sonny’s fellow player, Ruben (Javier Bardem), has taken over APXGP as its owner. Regrettably, for the past 2.5 years, APXGP hasn’t scored a single point, let alone won any races. Now, in an attempt to revive his struggling team and restore its former glory, Ruben seeks Sonny’s help to compete once more and race victoriously.

For viewers, Sonny’s main issue is that he comes off as unlikable and arrogant, a trait that doesn’t seem to change throughout the story. Instead of recognizing his mistakes, he insists on leading the team with his reckless methods, often causing chaos such as intentionally crashing multiple times during a single race. This includes but is not limited to such incidents.

To make a compelling sports underdog tale effective, it’s essential that the audience roots for the characters and their victory. However, when it comes to Sonny, his consistently unpleasant behavior makes it challenging for viewers to feel invested in whether he achieves his victorious moment. The script attempts to evoke empathy by revealing a tragic past for Sonny as an eleventh-hour attempt, but this effort arrives too late and is insufficient.

As a result, “The Movie F1:” appears to be more of a visually impressive showcase, especially during the car chase scenes. However, it can be challenging to become fully engrossed when you don’t feel emotionally connected to the characters involved. The excitement is evident on-screen, but it often fails to resonate with the viewers.

Viewers who are enthusiastic about Formula One racing might find themselves disappointed by the amount of actual driving scenes in the film. Although it covers nine races, many of these segments are brief snippets from different races and three entire races are compressed into one of the movie’s numerous montages. In essence, F1: The Movie includes more montage sequences than it does driving sequences.

In the concluding part of the film, it shifts focus dramatically towards an extended race sequence. However, for most of its runtime, the movie delves into multiple side stories. There’s a traditional last-second reveal about the villain that evokes boos and hisses, an unnecessary love story, team drama in the pit stop, and underlying friction between Joshua and his manager Cashman (played by Samson Kayo).

If these subplots had developed the characters more deeply and made them stand out as significant supporting figures, it would have been more acceptable that the film ran for a longer duration. However, they predominantly revolve around their connection with Sonny, even in Joshua’s arc, and ultimately swell the runtime without contributing much to the movie itself.

At the thrilling conclusion of “F1: The Movie,” rather than being energized and eager to cheer like in an exciting sports film, you’re more likely to experience a sense of relief as the checkered flag has finally been waved.

F1: The Movie is released in UK cinemas on 25 June and in US cinemas on 27 June.

Grab a copy of British Comedy Legends from your local newsstands or online retailers, currently selling at an affordable price of £3.99.

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2025-06-17 19:50