F1 Movie Review: Abu Dhabi shines in Brad Pitt's glossy, adrenaline-charged underdog tale

Full disclosure: I don’t know much about Formula One. But F1, the new Apple-produced racing drama starring Brad Pitt as a down-and-out driver gunning for redemption, had me hooked from the start. It’s a slick, high-octane ride that somehow manages to thrill even the uninitiated.

Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a washed-up racing legend given one last shot to prove himself. There’s a standout moment early on when someone asks him why he’s still doing it. His response? “It’s not for the money.” It’s about that itch you can’t scratch. It’s a poignant line that lingers — ask any skier or racing driver why they risk their lives at breakneck speed and chances are, they can’t fully explain it either. That raw instinct is at the heart of this film.

Pitt is brilliant here — emotionally grounded, magnetic, and looking enviably good. He carries the weight of regret and unrealised greatness with ease. The younger actor playing his hotshot teammate is perfectly cast too, and their generational friction — particularly the younger man's not-so-subtle ageist jabs — is both funny and telling.

Javier Bardem is another standout as the team owner who places his faith in Sonny. Their easy camaraderie becomes the film’s emotional spine. And then there’s Kerry Condon as Kate, the team’s razor-sharp technical director. Her chemistry with Pitt crackles, adding another layer of intrigue without veering into melodrama.

Be warned though — this is a glossy film. The product placements are shameless. High-end watches, luxury car brands, and even airlines get their prime-time close-ups. At times, it feels like a really fast fashion ad. It does make you wonder: is this the future of cinema funding? A glossy commercial wrapped in storytelling?

Still, the film delivers some electrifying moments. Even as someone who’s never followed F1, I found myself deeply invested. The roar of engines, the choreography of pit stops, and the tightly shot race sequences are genuinely thrilling.

Sonny Hayes is described as “the greatest that never was” — a prodigy cut short by injury. It's a classic underdog arc, and yes, you can see most plot turns coming from a mile away. Damson Idris’s character and his sweet-but-slightly-forced backstory with his mother lands on the nose at times. But who cares when the energy is this infectious?

F1 is predictable. It’s polished. But it’s also wicked fun. And sometimes, that’s exactly what the finish line calls for.