F1 The Movie Synopsis
Dubbed “the greatest that never was,” Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) was FORMULA 1’s most promising phenom of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, he’s a nomadic racer-for-hire when he’s approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of a struggling FORMULA 1 team that is on the verge of collapse. Ruben convinces Sonny to come back to FORMULA 1 for one last shot at saving the team and being the best in the world. He’ll drive alongside Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), the team’s hotshot rookie intent on setting his own pace. But as the engines roar, Sonny’s past catches up with him and he finds that in FORMULA 1, your teammate is your fiercest competition–and the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.
F1 The Movie (2025) Cast & Character Guide
Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes
Meet Sonny Hayes—a charming ex–Formula 1 prodigy turned nomadic race-for-hire. He left F1 in the ’90s after a crash, but now he’s back in the game with the fictional APXGP team as a veteran mentor to a rookie. Brad is pure charisma here—relaxed, a little world‑weary, but absolutely magnetic. Fun fact: Pitt trained in real F2 cars modified by Mercedes and even hit 180 mph on track!
Damson Idris as Joshua “Noah” Pearce
A fresh-faced rookie with fire in his veins—Noah is Sonny’s teammate and friendly rival. Damson Idris has chemistry with Pitt, and he’s talked about how Brad doubled as a mentor on set. He’s the hotshot we’re rooting for.
Javier Bardem as Ruben Cervantes
Ruben’s the former teammate who now owns the APXGP team. Think of him as the glue holding everyone together—Sonny sees him as both friend and boss. Bardem brings that gravitas only he can deliver.
Kerry Condon as Kate McKenna
The brain behind the race car—technical genius with a surprising romantic subplot with Sonny. Kerry’s dry wit and grounded performance give the film some real emotional stakes. She even joked about drinking a vodka-orange for breakfast before a romantic scene!
Tobias Menzies as Peter Banning
Board member of APXGP—Peter’s kind of the voice of “maybe we should sell” vs. “let’s keep fighting.” He’s the corporate tension everyone loves to hate.
Kim Bodnia as Kaspar Molinski
The team principal—formerly with Ferrari—who now runs day-to-day stuff under Ruben. Loves all the technical lingo and behind-the-scenes hustle.
Sarah Niles as Bernadette Pearce
Noah’s mum, bringing grounded warmth to the storyline. A reminder of the human cost behind the helmets and checkered flags.
Supporting Crew:
- Shea Whigham – Chip Hart, another team owner (think motorsport vibe)
- Joseph Balderrama – Rico Fazio, part of the APXGP crew
- Samson Kayo – Cashman, Noah’s rep
- Callie Cooke, Abdul Salis, Will Merrick, Layne Harper – pit crew, mechanics, media roles—big team spirit!
- Simone Ashley had a cameo – filmed scenes but her role got cut. Still, fun to know she was in the mix!
Real‑Life F1 Vibes
They filmed at actual Grand Prix rounds—Silverstone, Abu Dhabi, Monza, and more—so all the hustle, tension, and roar are 100% authentic. Even big-name drivers like Lewis Hamilton (also a film producer), Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, and Fernando Alonso pop up in cameo roles.
Why You’ll Love It
- Brad & Damson’s chemistry: A mentor-mentee dynamic with real emotional depth.
- Tech + heart: Kate’s emotional arc and Peter’s boardroom antics balance the racing spectacle.
- Authenticity: Filmed live at races and with real F1 drivers—it’s a gear-head’s dream sequence.
Bottom Line
This isn’t just a fast-and-loud racing movie—it’s a character-rich, emotional ride. You’ve got grit, style, drama, and real-world F1 adrenaline all wrapped into ~2.5 hours of fun. Perfect for fans of Top Gun: Maverick, driver docs like Drive to Survive, or anyone who’s ever loved the sound of an engine revving to life. Release Date (Theaters) Jun 27, 2025, Wide.
