‘F1 the Movie’: One Hot Ride

Character development in films sometimes occurs slowly, in F1 the Movie it happens very quickly. Aging racing veteran Sonny Hayes, who carries more baggage than most airlines, is played by Brad Pitt. In the opening sequence he’s seen doing pullups in his van before exiting onto the grounds of Daytona International Speedway where he will be racing in the Rolex 24 hour at Daytona. You also don’t have to wait long for racing action as it occurs rapidly as well. Hayes is shown “tearing up” the race track to the soundtrack of Led Zeppelin’s, “Whole Lotta Love.” After winning the race, Hayes is quickly leaving the track when an official asks, “Hey what about your watch?” (The race winners receive a very expensive engraved Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona). Hayes shouts back, “I already have one.” That tells you all you need to know about Hayes. He loves the thrill of the race, not all the trappings and fame.

Hayes’ old racing friend and former rival, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem) needs a second driver on his troubled team to balance out his promising, but cocky, rookie driver, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris). Hayes is reluctant, but finally relents. When the two drivers first engage, it sparks some witty retorts. Pearce is enamored with endorsements and social media fame, helped along by his cousin and manager, Cashman (Samson Kayo).

Do opposites attract? Not on this racing team, at least at first. Hayes trains like an old school Rocky Balboa, while Pearce trains with all the latest technology. The teammates slowly, and grudgingly, develop respect and admiration for one another. They are helped along in the process by the team’s female, and Irish, technical director, Kate McKenna (Kerry Condon).

Hayes’ “bump and run” racing style, other barely legal tricks, and strategies don’t always sit well with Cervantes, the team, and the other racers and teams. Hayes and Pearce learn from one another as the team starts to adapt, and gel to lift a losing racing team higher.

As a racing fan, I found the racing scenes very realistic. Some more astute than me, could probably find some flaws, but I sure didn’t. Beauty shots abound, clutch and gas pedals engaging, spoilers adjusting, and pov scenes of passing other race cars. Both Pitt and Idris drove modified F2 cars in many of the scenes and trained for several months to do so.

The movie was produced by the renowned Jerry Bruckheimer who was fresh off the success of Top Gun Maverick. F1 was directed by Joseph Kosinski from a screenplay by Ehren Kruger and a story written by the two. Racing sequences were adapted from footage of real-life F1 teams and drivers appearing throughout, including Lewis Hamilton who was also a producer. Many scenes were from the FIA 2023 and 2024 F1 World Championships. Cinematography was by Claudio Miranda with a score by Hans Zimmer.

Pitt’s character was somewhat similar to the one he played in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, a confident, yet humble everyman with special talents. It was another stellar performance from the actor. Idris was fantastic as well in his role as rookie driver Joshua Pearce. Pearce was a good counterweight to Sonny Hayes. Condon was splendid in her role, lovely in both appearance and spirit. She is an Irish actor playing an Irish technical director so she spoke with her native accent which was rhythmic and intoxicating. Pearce’s mom, Bernadette Pearce, played beautifully by Sarah Niles, was a wellspring of love, humor, and wisdom for her young son. F1 The Movie is a must see for racing fans as well as for people looking for a good story well told.

Rick Handler is the executive producer of Entertainment Central.

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