Brad Pitt and Lewis Hamilton in a duel on screen

This scene is hilarious: In the most important race of the film, Joshua Pearce is in a duel with Lewis Hamilton, of all people, in Abu Dhabi. Wait, who is Joshua Pearce? No motor racing fan should be concerned if they don't know what to make of the name. Joshua is a "rookie," as they call him, an arrogant newbie, but above all, a fictional character who must mature into a hero in the racing blockbuster "F1."

Hamilton, on the other hand, as a seven-time Formula 1 world champion, should be familiar even to those who don't like the idea of ​​drivers racing around in circles in high-tech vehicles, burning tons of fuel. The twist is that Hamilton is also one of the producers of this highly tuned spectacle. Without Hamilton, "F1" would not have been possible in this form: The record world champion paved the way for the film to delve into the heart of motor racing.

Until now, Tom Cruise was considered a master at reducing production costs through product advertising. In his "Top Gun" films, he was provided with expensive military equipment, including an aircraft carrier, while his blockbusters were like a two-hour movie clip recruiting troops.

"F1" does a similar thing for motorsport. The director here, as in "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022), is American Joseph Kosinski, and the cinematographer is Chilean Claudio Miranda. The major producer behind both films is Jerry Bruckheimer ("Pearl Harbor"), who also directed the first "Top Gun" film in 1986.

Filming took place over two years – interrupted by the Hollywood strikes – on the sidelines of real races in minute-by-minute slots on authentic tracks, including Silverstone, Monza, Budapest, and Las Vegas. Hundreds of thousands of fans in the stands truly screamed. Glimpses of star drivers like Max Verstappen were glimpsed.

The film crew specifically founded the fictional APXGP team with its own pit garage. Mercedes modified Formula 2 cars to look like Formula 1 cars (top speed: 250 kilometers per hour). The director used trackside cameras. You feel like you're watching a Formula 1 event and are sitting in the cockpit.

There's already a seasoned pilot with a casual, mischievous grin, who easily manages to outshine the technology: Brad Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a well-aged asphalt cowboy who, despite all his skill, never made it to the top of the podium. He never passed his prime simply because he never reached it, says technical director Kate (Kerry Condon) before she goes to bed with Sonny.

Gambler Sonny has experienced several downfalls in his unstable career. He worked as a taxi driver for a while. He now lives in an old van. And then there's this trauma that has haunted him since an accident.

Formula 1 and Hollywood side by side: racing driver Max Verstappen (from left) with the film characters Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) and Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt).

Source: IMAGO/Landmark Media

The first name that comes to mind is Monegasque racing driver Louis Chiron: In 1955, at the age of 56, he competed in his last Grand Prix, making him the oldest Formula 1 competitor to date in a world championship. His nickname was "Old Fox." Sonny is also a man (Pitt is 61). He has tricks like no other and also aptly puts his finger on the words: "Sometimes you have to lose to win."

The fact that someone like Sonny gets the chance to return to Formula 1 is due to the desperation of his old friend Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem). His racing team, APXGP, is on the verge of collapse due to lack of success. Sonny is supposed to score the urgently needed points and lead the young talent Joshua (Damson Idris) to the top. Naturally, the two don't get along at first.

Americans love stories in which retired heroes show off to younger generations and stage an unlikely comeback. Boxers like "Rocky" never give up. And didn't US President Donald Trump also return to the Oval Office?

At an illustrious preview at the Monaco Grand Prix, almost the entire racing elite was in the cinema. The reactions were reportedly mixed regarding the film's credibility. What the gentlemen perhaps disliked even more was that they were relegated to extras, overtaken, or turned up as victims of accidents provoked by Sonny for tactical reasons. No one has to fear these stars.

The more important question, however, is whether the two-and-a-half-hour roar of the engines will appeal to an audience outside the racing world. The story is predictable from start to finish. However, it does offer some insights behind the scenes: An investor employs dirty tricks, including industrial espionage. And the racing scenes are phenomenal.

"Fridays for Future" fans should stay outside: The billion-dollar obsession with speed is being celebrated with fervor. Instead, you can witness Sonny experiencing a moment of absolute silence amidst the roar of the engines...

“F 1”, directed by Joseph Kosinski, with Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Damson Idris, 155 minutes, FSK 12