F1: A thrilling lap that doesn’t always stick on provisional pole

What happens when Hollywood collides with the world of Formula 1? F1: The Movie roars onto the screen with turbocharged ambition, promising the ultimate racing film experience, and at times, it delivers. With Top Gun: Maverick's director Joseph Kosinski at the helm, having former F1 champion Lewis Hamilton as a producer, and starring Brad Pitt as the frontman, the film blends real-life F1 spectacle with cinematic drama. But while the engines scream and the visuals dazzle, F1 doesn't always find the right gear when it comes to storytelling depth and plays it too safe.

Set in the ultra-competitive world of modern Formula 1, F1 follows the journey of seasoned former F1 driver Sonny Hayes, played by Brad Pitt, who returns to the grid to mentor a young rookie and help a struggling team find its way back to relevance.

The story doesn't reinvent the wheel. Its plot is quite conventional, being more akin to Days of Thunder than Rush or Ford V Ferrari, but it knows exactly what it's trying to be: a thrilling, emotionally grounded sports drama that mixes cinematic intensity with real-world F1 thrill. It ticks all the sports movie boxes: the underdog comeback, the reluctant mentor, the redemption arc, and so on.

However, there's little in the way of surprise or subversion. While that might not be a deal-breaker for all viewers, it does leave the story feeling formulaic, especially for seasoned filmgoers. The weakest aspects of the story are definitely the unnecessary romance subplot and the villain plot, which felt like a last-minute addition to the story.

One of the film's standout features is its immersive cinematography. Kosinski and his crew took a bold approach by shooting during real Grand Prix weekends, with the fictional APXGP team integrated into the paddock and pitlane alongside actual F1 teams. Thanks to the unprecedented access granted by Formula 1 and the use of actual race weekends as filming backdrops, the track action feels exhilarating and authentic.

Camera placement inside custom-built F1 cars offers a driver's eye view rarely seen even in modern broadcasts. Using real F1 team headquarters, wind tunnels, and driver simulators for filming also adds to the movie's authenticity. The roar of the engines, the blur of speed, and the tension in the pit lane are all captured with precision. In terms of technical achievement and immersion, F1 is a win.

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Brad Pitt brings charisma and conviction to the role of the veteran driver. While his age might stretch realism for a returning F1 racer, his performance is grounded and sincere. His character's journey is meant to anchor the emotional arc of the film, but at times feels too safe and familiar. Damson Idris, who plays the rookie teammate Joshua Pearce, is presented as the secondary protagonist, but his character is underwritten, often sidelined in favour of Pitt's narrative, which is a shame because his performance is promising and deserves praise.

The supporting cast does a great job with the somewhat generic script they are provided with, Kerry Cordon and Javier Bardem having the most outstanding performances amongst them. But aside from a few, most side characters get little to no airtime, which should not be the case for a movie about a sport that employs around a thousand members in a single team on average.

There's also a missed opportunity to explore the more complex side of Formula 1. The film occasionally glosses over some of the more controversial aspects of the sport, such as the inter-team politics and sponsorship pressure, while barely scratching the surface of media scrutiny and motorsport regulations in favour of a more polished narrative.

And the racing itself was a mixed bag, where in some instances the racecraft and strategies felt very lifelike and ingenious, while in others, it felt very gimmicky and unrealistic, with many important aspects of a typical race week being excluded.

The soundtrack, however, is a strong point, balancing moody synths and pulse-pounding beats with moments of quiet introspection. Combined with the film's editing style, it keeps the viewers on edge at all times, even when the pacing suffers.

F1 is a cinematic adrenaline rush that tries to capture the spirit of Formula 1 with style, heart, and thrilling visual realism. But its predictable story and missed potential hold it back. Even though F1 might not have the level of storytelling and racing authenticity of Ford V Ferrari or Rush, it makes up for it with its incredibly immersive cinematography and a strong cast. So, regardless of whether you're a lifelong fan or just looking for a great sports drama, this is a ride worth taking.