With Apple Original Films’ F1 movie set to hit theaters soon, the buzz around Formula 1’s Hollywood crossover is reaching a fever pitch. A handful of exclusive screenings have already taken place for the drivers, first in Monaco and then in Barcelona ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, and the early reactions are glowing. Well, mostly.
Almost every driver was in attendance. Almost, Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll notably skipped the event. And in an enthusiastic post-screening moment, Esteban Ocon may have accidentally revealed a little too much about the plot.
Real Cars. Real Tracks. Real Stakes.
Directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski, the F1 movie stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a fictional ex-driver returning to the grid with APX GP, a team built for the big screen but inserted into real-life racing events. From Silverstone to Spa, actual Grand Prix weekends were used as the backdrop for filming, with Pitt driving a modified F2 car.
The commitment to realism shows. Drivers praised the way the film captured on-track action, with scenes of real passes, side-by-side cornering, and the gut-punch noise of engines at full tilt.
Fans who’ve dissected the production details agree: this isn’t a CGI-fest. The decision to shoot real race sequences under race conditions is something rarely, if ever, attempted at this scale. The result is a film that doesn’t just depict F1, it breathes it.
Carlos Sainz: Authentic With a Touch of Hollywood
Carlos Sainz delivered one of the most nuanced takes, striking a balance between admiration and critique:
“I truly enjoyed it. I think for us F1 experts, we’re going to see things that we sometimes see with Netflix that you can tell are a bit Hollywood-esque… For the hardcore fan, journalists and us, we will see things that maybe you think are too American or a bit too Hollywood, but honestly, I enjoyed it.”
Sainz’s remarks highlight what many longtime fans have suspected: the film walks the line between authentic racing and blockbuster appeal. Some liberties are taken, but there’s an evident effort to keep the core of the sport intact, largely thanks to Lewis Hamilton’s behind-the-scenes influence.
Ocon: “Best Racing Movie of All Time”, and Also, Whoops
Esteban Ocon’s excitement after seeing the movie in Monaco was palpable. He praised the film’s visuals and realism, noting, “The scenes with them driving the cars, I think that’s fantastic… something we’ve never seen before.”
But then, in a moment worthy of a team radio facepalm, he casually spoiled key parts of the final race:
“What I found really good is that last race, they suddenly just don’t fly and win the race. But it’s because of something happening in the race, putting the red flag, them not being in Q3 and then having the new tyres…”
He quickly realized his mistake: “I’m spoiling, sorry guys! But I like spoilers anyway.”
Ocon’s spoiler added unexpected clarity to the film’s plot structure and tone. Rather than handing its protagonists an easy, cinematic win, the movie leans on a red flag twist and race strategy, mirroring how unpredictable and chaotic real F1 can be.
Beyond that, Ocon highlighted another moment he enjoyed: a female mechanic featured in a pivotal pit stop during a win. His comments underscored how the film weaves in themes of diversity and inclusion, an angle fans online have praised for reflecting the changing face of the sport.
While some may be annoyed at the spoilers, others see it as a positive sign: if even the drivers can’t help but get carried away talking about it, there’s likely something worth watching here.
Verstappen Chooses Family Over Fame
Max Verstappen’s absence from the screening was noted, but completely understandable.
“It wasn’t a mandatory event… I prefer to spend that private time at home. Especially because in F1 you’re away from home so much already,” he explained.
Verstappen and his partner, Kelly Piquet, recently welcomed a new baby, and with how packed the race calendar is, time at home has become increasingly precious. His choice to prioritize family over press events isn’t a snub to the film, it’s a reflection of a more grounded side of the reigning champion.
Some fans pointed out that this is typical Max: intensely focused on racing, uninterested in the spotlight unless it’s earned on track. And with a newborn at home, even the allure of Hollywood can wait.
Hamilton’s Fingerprints Are All Over the Film
Hamilton, who co-produced the film and consulted on everything from the script to racing accuracy, appears to have shaped the final product in a big way. Multiple drivers have acknowledged that while some Hollywood exaggeration was inevitable, the effort to keep the core of the sport honest is clear.
In particular, the integration of real pit crews, accurate race weekend structures, and the dynamic between teammates was highlighted by both drivers and early viewers as “shockingly realistic.”
Our analysis is that the result will likely straddle both worlds, delivering just enough dramatic license to hook casual viewers while sprinkling in enough realism to satisfy seasoned fans.
More Than Just a Movie
What’s clear from the reactions, both official and unscripted, is that F1 isn’t just a racing movie. It’s a high-octane love letter to the sport.
Among fans, there’s growing excitement that this could finally be a motorsport film that doesn’t reduce F1 to just noise and explosions. Instead, it emphasizes the emotion, pressure, and humanity of racing at 200 mph.
As one fan analysis framed it: this might be Formula 1’s Rush for a new generation, but with better access, deeper immersion, and a global stage waiting. It’s less about winning and more about what it takes to be in the fight, on the grid, in the garage, or behind the visor.
And if Ocon’s spoilers are any indication, we won’t be getting a fairytale ending. We’ll be getting something that feels a lot like real racing.
Final Lap
Between Hamilton’s influence, Kosinski’s eye for kinetic action, and a cast embedded into the real paddock, F1 is shaping up to be a rare sports film that feels authentic without losing cinematic flair.
Whether you’re here for the racing, the drama, or the pit lane chaos, the movie seems determined to offer a little bit of everything, just don’t ask Esteban Ocon what happens in the final act. He’s already told us.