It can be rare these days to see a big action flick in theaters that’s not a sequel or reboot, but F1, the upcoming race car movie, isn’t in a franchise. Although you’d be forgiven if you somehow thought it was connected to the Fast & Furious series, the movie is actually based in the world of Formula One racing, which is commonly abbreviated F1. In the upcoming movie, Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem and Damson Idris are all enmeshed in racecar driving, with plenty of stunts and crashes to keep things interesting.
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So what is F1 about? Is it based on a true story? Who will Pitt be playing? Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming film F1:
What is F1 about?
Dubbed “the greatest that never was,” Sonny Hayes (Pitt) was Formula One’s most promising phenom of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, he’s a nomadic racer-for-hire when he’s approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Bardem), owner of a struggling Formula One team that is on the verge of collapse. Ruben convinces Sonny to come back to Formula One for one last shot at saving the team and being the best in the world. He’ll drive alongside Joshua Pearce (Idris), the team’s hotshot rookie intent on setting his own pace. But as the engines roar, Sonny’s past catches up with him and he finds that in Formula One, your teammate is your fiercest competition — and the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.
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Is F1 based on a true story?
No, it’s a fictional tale although many real Formula One drivers will be appearing in the movie as well.
Is there a difference between Formula One and NASCAR?
Yes. In Formula One racing, racecars are light, single-seat, open-wheel designs incorporating the latest technology, where as NASCAR racing cars are heavier, modified stock cars. NASCAR races typically run on a closed-circuit oval track. Formula One races can take place on purpose-built tracks or closed roads and circuits that vary from country to country.
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Meet the cast of F1
Brad Pitt (Sonny Hayes)
Still a heartthrob at 61, Pitt won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and another for producing 12 Years a Slave. Pitt started his career with small, sometimes uncredited roles in films like No Way Out and Less Than Zero and televisions shows like Growing Pains and 21 Jump Street, before fans began to notice him for his role in Thelma & Louise. He followed that role with parts in hits like A River Runs Through It, Legends of the Fall and Interview with a Vampire.
Javier Bardem (Ruben Cervantes)
Bardem won his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in No Country for Old Men. His mother, Pilar Bardem, is also an actress. Recent credits include The Little Mermaid, Dune and Being the Ricardos.
Fun Fact: Bardem is married to fellow actor Penelope Cruz, who he met while filming Vicky Cristina Barcelona together.
Damson Idris (Joshua Pearce)
Idris is best known for his role as Franklin Saint on the FX series, Snowfall. The British actor’s previous credits include Miranda, Doctors and Casualty.
Tobias Menzies (Banning)
Best known in the US for his roles as Frank and Jonathan Randall on Outlander and Prince Philip in the third and fourth seasons of The Crown, Menzies also appeared as Edmure Tully on Game of Thrones. Menzies other credits include Casualty, The Terror and Finding Neverland.
Kerry Condon (Kate)
Condon is an Irish actress who is known for her work on The Banshees of Inisherin,Ned Kelly and Better Call Saul. She is the voice of F.R.I.D.A.Y. in several of the Avengers movies.
Who directed FI?
Joseph Kosinski directed F1. Kosinski directed Tron: Legacy, Only the Brave and Top Gun: Maverick.
When does F1 premiere?
F1 premieres on Friday, June 27, 2025 in theaters nationwide.
Where can I watch F1?
F1 will screen in theatres nationwide.
Is there a trailer for F1?
Yes. Check out the official trailer for F1 below.
