The roar of engines, the blur of speed, and the tension of competition—Apple Original Films’ ‘F1’ promises an adrenaline-fueled cinematic experience, placing audiences in the driver’s seat. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, the film stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 racer pulled back into the sport for one last shot at glory. Damson Idris co-stars as Joshua Pearce, a rookie with something to prove, while Javier Bardem takes on the role of an underdog team owner determined to upset the racing giants.
The new trailer, released with Fleetwood Mac’s iconic “The Chain” as its backdrop, delivers a blend of pulse-pounding action and raw human emotion, capturing the high stakes and electrifying speed of Formula 1.
The Underdog Story with a Heated Rivalry
At the heart of F1 is an intense mentor-protégé relationship. Pitt’s character, Hayes, is introduced as “the best [driver] that never was,” a legend who never quite reached his potential. He is convinced to return to racing, partnering with Idris’ Joshua Pearce, a young driver eager to make his mark. However, their relationship is far from harmonious.
A moment in the trailer showcases their competitive tension: “Sunday. Daytona,” Hayes confidently declares when asked about his last victory.
Joshua fires back: “Oh, I’m sorry, I meant Formula 1.” Without missing a beat, Hayes responds: “Oh, I’m sorry. Then, same as you.”
This fiery exchange sets the stage for a gripping narrative of redemption, rivalry, and respect, where personal egos and professional ambitions collide.
Capturing the Speed and Grit of Formula 1
Kosinski, a fan of the sport since watching Netflix’s ‘Drive to Survive’, wanted to bring an authentic racing experience to the big screen. His vision focused on an underdog team fighting not for a championship but just one defining win.
The production aimed for realism at every turn. Legendary Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton joined as a producer and consultant, ensuring that the film captured the true intensity of the sport. Pitt and Idris trained extensively and even drove at over 180 mph in specially modified race cars. Kosinski revealed:
“Every time you see Brad or Damson driving this movie, they’re driving on their own in one of these real race cars on a real F1 track.”
To make the experience as immersive as possible, Kosinski collaborated with Mercedes AMG and Formula 1 engineers to design six real F2 race cars equipped with cameras capable of filming high-speed sequences.
Filming on Iconic Grand Prix Tracks
Unlike most sports films shot on closed sets, F1 took on the challenge of filming during actual Formula 1 race weekends. Kosinski and his crew had narrow windows—sometimes just 10 to 15 minutes—to shoot scenes between practice sessions and qualifying rounds.
“We’d have 24, 30 cameras rolling, and Brad and Damson had to be race-ready the moment practice ended,” Kosinski explained. The packed grandstands seen in the trailer are real Formula 1 crowds, unaware that Pitt was behind the wheel.
The film’s global journey mirrors the real-life F1 season, featuring circuits from Silverstone to Las Vegas, culminating in Abu Dhabi.
Technical Innovation and an Unforgettable Score
Kosinski pushed cinematic boundaries with custom-built Sony cameras, ensuring that every turn, drift, and crash was captured with visceral intensity. The crew designed motorized mounts on the race cars to enable live, dynamic camera movements—something that wasn’t possible even in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’.
For sound, Kosinski reunited with Hans Zimmer, whose thrilling score will heighten the film’s emotional beats.
“What Hans does, and few composers can, is he can write a real theme, a real melody that you just can’t get out of your head,” Kosinski shared.
The Final Lap: A Must-Watch Racing Spectacle
Distributed by Warner Bros., F1 arrives in theaters and IMAX on June 27 in North America and June 25 internationally. With a combination of real racing sequences, cutting-edge cinematography, and powerhouse performances, this film is set to be a landmark sports drama, delivering the ultimate Formula 1 experience.
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