F1 follows the story of racer Sonny Hayes, a driver who needed to retire from System 1 after a devastating crash. The character, performed by Brad Pitt, later returns to the game with some persuasion from Javier Bardem’s Ruben Cervantes. He goes on to race for the Apex Grand Prix staff and mentor rookie Joshua “Noah” Pearce, performed by Damson Idris.
The sports activities drama, due out in theaters on June 27, 2025, has generated a ton of buzz for its fast-paced scenes filled with adrenaline. The movie additionally stars Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies and Shea Whigham.
For the reason that movie was first introduced, many have questioned if the story relies on the actual lifetime of a racer or if it’s a piece of fiction.
Us Weekly breaks down whether or not or not there’s some fact to the movie.
Was ‘F1’ Filmed at Actual Races?
F1 was filmed at actual grand prix races that came about from 2023 to 2024. Pitt and Damson truly bought behind the wheel of actual life race vehicles to movie scenes for the film.
“Each time you see Brad or Damson driving [in] this film, they’re driving on their very own in considered one of these actual race vehicles on an actual F1 monitor,” director Joseph Kosinski revealed per the F1 web site. “In order that’s sort of how we approached the making of this movie.”
Pitt mirrored on tackling the position headfirst and embracing the race automotive driver mentality whereas portraying Sonny.
“It’s like nothing I’ve ever skilled earlier than,” he advised Additional on the movie’s New York Metropolis premiere on June 16, 2025. “There’s this unusual calm that occurs within the automotive and this complete focus and presence that, like, I’ve by no means skilled from the rest.”

Brad Pitt Mark Thompson/Getty Photos
Is ‘F1’ Based mostly on a True Story?
Whereas F1 was filmed at actual races, the film is just not based mostly on a real story. The objective of the solid and crew was to make a film that was as “genuine” to the game as potential.
“We skilled like 4 months out of the yr to actually hone our craft in these automobiles — and we additionally did it whereas having to behave and attempt to look cute and say your traces,” Idris advised The Hollywood Reporter on the movie’s NYC premiere.
He continued, “While you watch this film, it’s probably the most genuine racing film of all time; I can’t stress that sufficient. And that was the objective we set out for ourselves. So I’m so proud. I’m so completely happy that huge films are coming again.”
The scenes within the movie have been all met with the precision and accuracy with which real-life race automotive drivers strategy the game. In reality, racer Lewis Hamilton was introduced on as a producer for the movie to make sure the film’s authenticity.
“He gave us all the arrogance on the earth in making this film,” Apple Worldwide Video chief Zack Van Amburg stated forward of the movie’s launch, per Selection. “With out Lewis, we wouldn’t have had the outcomes we had. I don’t assume System 1, with out [Hamilton’s] private stamp of approval, would have opened up the race tracks the way in which they did to the movie and to the actors who have been all of a sudden on the market on the grid with actual race vehicles.”
F1 follows the story of racer Sonny Hayes, a driver who needed to retire from System 1 after a devastating crash. The character, performed by Brad Pitt, later returns to the game with some persuasion from Javier Bardem’s Ruben Cervantes. He goes on to race for the Apex Grand Prix staff and mentor rookie Joshua “Noah” Pearce, performed by Damson Idris.
The sports activities drama, due out in theaters on June 27, 2025, has generated a ton of buzz for its fast-paced scenes filled with adrenaline. The movie additionally stars Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies and Shea Whigham.
For the reason that movie was first introduced, many have questioned if the story relies on the actual lifetime of a racer or if it’s a piece of fiction.
Us Weekly breaks down whether or not or not there’s some fact to the movie.
Was ‘F1’ Filmed at Actual Races?
F1 was filmed at actual grand prix races that came about from 2023 to 2024. Pitt and Damson truly bought behind the wheel of actual life race vehicles to movie scenes for the film.
“Each time you see Brad or Damson driving [in] this film, they’re driving on their very own in considered one of these actual race vehicles on an actual F1 monitor,” director Joseph Kosinski revealed per the F1 web site. “In order that’s sort of how we approached the making of this movie.”
Pitt mirrored on tackling the position headfirst and embracing the race automotive driver mentality whereas portraying Sonny.
“It’s like nothing I’ve ever skilled earlier than,” he advised Additional on the movie’s New York Metropolis premiere on June 16, 2025. “There’s this unusual calm that occurs within the automotive and this complete focus and presence that, like, I’ve by no means skilled from the rest.”

Brad Pitt Mark Thompson/Getty Photos
Is ‘F1’ Based mostly on a True Story?
Whereas F1 was filmed at actual races, the film is just not based mostly on a real story. The objective of the solid and crew was to make a film that was as “genuine” to the game as potential.
“We skilled like 4 months out of the yr to actually hone our craft in these automobiles — and we additionally did it whereas having to behave and attempt to look cute and say your traces,” Idris advised The Hollywood Reporter on the movie’s NYC premiere.
He continued, “While you watch this film, it’s probably the most genuine racing film of all time; I can’t stress that sufficient. And that was the objective we set out for ourselves. So I’m so proud. I’m so completely happy that huge films are coming again.”
The scenes within the movie have been all met with the precision and accuracy with which real-life race automotive drivers strategy the game. In reality, racer Lewis Hamilton was introduced on as a producer for the movie to make sure the film’s authenticity.
“He gave us all the arrogance on the earth in making this film,” Apple Worldwide Video chief Zack Van Amburg stated forward of the movie’s launch, per Selection. “With out Lewis, we wouldn’t have had the outcomes we had. I don’t assume System 1, with out [Hamilton’s] private stamp of approval, would have opened up the race tracks the way in which they did to the movie and to the actors who have been all of a sudden on the market on the grid with actual race vehicles.”