F1: The Movie is an F1 fan's dream but also a cinematic masterpiece

F1: The Movie is an F1 fan's dream but also a cinematic masterpiece

F1 is rapidly growing in popularity, a direct result of the growing number of promotional tools used by the sport. Drive to Survive was the first successful (if sheer viewer numbers are the criterion for success) attempt at documenting the sport. Now the movie is nearly here, and Formula One is pulling out all the stops. Does the movie capture the essence of the sport, or is there too much movie magic for this high-pedigree racing championship? With a subtle spoiler alert, let's take a look.

As the sun set along my drive to the F1 movie premiere, a few questions lingered in my mind. Firstly, how on earth do you film F1 action in the presence of F1 teams and drivers? Secondly, with the inclusion of real F1 talent, how well will our beloved drivers perform on the Hollywood stage? And is it by any means an accurate representation of F1? Well, before we unpack it, let me just say I was impressed with the results.

The Stars

Brad Pitt portrays an underdog old-timer racing driver named Sonny Hayes, who is fuelled by thrills rather than money and fame. His character's knowledge of racing in a simple "I'll figure it out as we go" backstory was a refreshing change from the traditional climb-the-ranks or billionaire's son entry into the sport. His teammate and youthful hotshot, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), brought the personality we expect from hotshot F1 drivers with a slightly overinflated ego.

This duo's back-and-forth created an intriguing storyline that extends past the racetrack. And of course, with any Brad Pitt movie, a love interest flourishes. Fortunately, this narrative wasn’t overdone and added a sweet and light-hearted touch to this action-packed movie.

The shots

But how did they film such an impressive visual spectacle? If you've watched F1 in the last year, you'll have an idea of how they filmed the track elements for this film. Well, a number of modified F2 cars were used, and throughout the season, the movie crew was seen driving with the actual F1 teams during formation laps and practices. Even elements like podium scenes were shot during genuine F1 podium celebrations, adding a level of authenticity that I have yet to see in a film.

But what stood out most for me was the unbelievably close action track shots with the use of close-up head shots, driver-perspective challenges and close high-speed tracking shots. For me, this is the highest quality racing footage I have seen, and to say the action was intense would be an understatement.

The story

The film focuses on the team's struggles and small victories, with the heated moments between the two drivers driving the narrative. Unfortunately, there is very little in the way of input from actual F1 drivers, with merely their faces captured throughout a normal F1 weekend, with a few odd scenes of champions staring down and interacting with the talent. It is a never-before-seen approach to racing films, and the product is captivating.

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The story almost entirely centres on Apex GP and their performance, as opposed to the real inter-team rivalries at the centre of an F1 championship. However, with that being said, there is a hilarious interaction between team mechanics and team principals, both real members and actors, which was a brilliant touch.

For the most part, it is a highly Hollywood-style watch, with countless crashes and entirely unrealistic strategies, which could dull the watching experience for seasoned F1 fans. Yet, I believe this was necessary to keep the interest of more casual viewers.

Our take

F1: The Movie raises the benchmark for racing films. It’s a near-real spectacle of F1 through a different lens. From its team dynamics, teammate relationships and racing, all graced with a modest lathering of Hollywood beautification. I already see the avid F1 fans saying its portrayal of F1 is too romantic, but realistically, it needs to be. Overall, the acting is brilliant, the research on all aspects of F1 was thorough, and the cinematography is nothing short of spectacular.

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Did we enjoy the film? Yes, we did; however, I would have preferred to see more participation from the real F1 paddock and slightly less outrageous race strategies. So we strongly recommend that you pop to your local cinema and see it on the big screen. Just remember this is a movie, not a documentary.

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