The world of Formula 1 has always been thrilling and is filled with a lot of drama. However, it is considered a niche sport, and even though it has seen a massive surge in popularity over the years, not everyone is familiar with the finer details of this form of motorsports. To make people understand what happens in and out of the F1 tracks, a brilliantly made reality series, ‘Drive To Survive,’ told the inexperienced audience about this highly competitive and brutal (metaphorically) sport. The Netflix series, which premiered in 2019, not only told the world about what happens during the race, but also about the stuff that happened behind the cameras. Moreover, it showcased how drives are not only going against the opposing teams, but they are also trying to overshadow their teammates to claim the title.
Filmmaker Joseph Kosinski understood how these elements made that series such an enthralling watch, and incorporated them to make ‘F1: The Movie’ an experience, rather than just a movie.
From ‘Drive to Survive’ to the Big Screen: How F1 Finds Its Cinematic Glory
A still from ‘F1 The Movie’ (Image Courtesy: Apple)
‘F1: The Movie’ chronicles the journey of a veteran racing driver, Sonny Hayes (played by Brad Pitt), who is currently living as a racer-for-hire and participating in the 24 Hours of Daytona. After winning the race for his team, Hayes’s former teammate, Rubén Cervantes (played by Javier Bardem), offers him to drive for his Formula 1 team, APXGP. For him, the remaining nine races of the ongoing season are very important. If his team didn’t win any of the remaining races, the investors would sell the team, and he would lose a lot of money.
Initially reluctant to join his team, Hayes finally reaches London to test drive for the team at Silverstone Circuit. But the audition is not just about Hayes; it is also about his potential teammate, Joshua Pearce (played by Damson Idris), a young F1 driver who is already a part of the APXGP team. The youngster is trying to impress the teams for a secure future because he knows that APXGP might not return next season. However, the arrival of Sonny Hayes has made him a little egotistical, and he doesn’t want the veteran racer to be on the team. What viewers see next is the perfect underdog story that they might have seen in previous films, but here, it feels more grounded and rip-roaring.
Breathtaking Racing Sequences, Simple Story, and Technical Accuracy Bring F1 to Life
(Image Courtesy: Apple)
It doesn’t take long for Kosinski to draw viewers into the world of motor racing. Whether it is the first sequence where we see Pitt inside a Daytona car or the opening credits, the director throws you into the pulse of motorsports. You don’t merely just watch the race, you feel it and become a part of it. The camera work is natural, which captures the true essence of Formula 1, and every breath the drivers take after launching themselves onto the track at over 300 km/h. Cinematographer Claudio Miranda, who previously worked with Kosinski on ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ yet again shows why he is one of the best cinematographers working in Hollywood right now. He delivers some of the most enthralling and awe-inspiring racing footage ever seen on the big screen.
Whether it’s the footage from the driver’s cockpit or a close-up view of drivers trying to overtake each other, each frame is meticulously crafted and styled. ‘F1: The Movie’ doesn’t just capture the speed; it apprehends the sensation of speed.
Another thing that Kosinski does best is how he has kept the storyline simple, and yet managed to explain the sport in great detail. Whether it is about the DRS or the difference between the soft and hard tires, the film keeps viewers hooked with rich technical detail. The glimpses of pit crews trying to modify aerodynamics between the sessions, and engineers getting ready to change tires like soldiers, are not just authentic; they also add to the pulse of the film. Consequently, the movie feels more compelling when it reveals what happens between the drivers of the same team and their lives off the track.
Stellar Performances and Emotional Depth Make This More Than Just a Racing Film
Brad Pitt and Kerry Condon in ‘F1 The Movie’ (Image Courtesy: Apple)
Hayes is grappling with age, and winning is not the only reason why he decided to enter the highest class of worldwide racing again. For him, it means much more, and what he’s chasing is closure. On the other hand, Pearce presents a different perspective. He knows what it takes to be a great F1 driver and wants to showcase his skills on the biggest stage. That’s where the movie soars. The tension between the two drivers forms the heart of the film, and instead of being too melodramatic, the film keeps their relationship multi-layered and grounded.
Brad Pitt is magnetic as Sonny Hayes, and whenever he is on the screen, he takes our breath away. Meanwhile, Damson Idris is equally brilliant and manages Pitt’s charisma with a great performance. However, it’s Kerry Condon and Javier Bardem who steal the show as Kate McKenna and Rubén Cervantes. They are the pillars of this movie, and excel whenever they are given a chance. This is what “supporting actors” do: they turn a good movie into a great one. Moreover, fans of the sport will see some familiar faces during the movie, such as Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri, Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris, Nico Hülkenberg, Charles Leclerc, and more.
All in all, ‘F1: The Movie’ is the perfect summer blockbuster, blended with pulse-pounding racing sequences, great direction, superb performances, and an unforgettable score by Hans Zimmer. The film presents itself with clarity. It doesn’t want to be a Shakesperean drama, nor does it want to show off high-tech stuff; it’s a simple story of a man set against some of the most thrilling backdrops on Earth. For the fans of Formula 1, this film is pure gold. For everyone else, it might become the reason why you fell in love with such a brilliant sport.
