Ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season’s kickoff in Melbourne, Australia, the first trailer for F1, a thrilling cinematic experience combining the drama of racing with a gripping redemption arc, has been released. Fans around the globe can now catch a glimpse of the action-packed movie, hitting theaters worldwide this summer.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for Top Gun: Maverick, and starring Hollywood heavyweight Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, the film delivers a heartfelt and adrenaline-charged narrative. Hayes, once touted as Formula 1’s brightest prodigy, saw his career derailed by a devastating accident in the 1990s. Three decades later, Hayes operates as a wandering racer-for-hire when his former teammate, Ruben Cervantes (played by Javier Bardem), approaches him with a bold proposition. Ruben, on the verge of losing his struggling F1 team, convinces Sonny to return to the sport for one last shot at glory.
Adding to the drama is Joshua Pearce, the team’s ambitious rookie driver, played by Damson Idris. Pearce quickly becomes both a key ally and a fierce rival, embodying the intense competition that defines Formula 1. The dynamic between Hayes and Pearce propels the story forward, delivering edge-of-your-seat moments both on and off the track.
The ensemble cast also features Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Kim Bodnia, bringing depth to a riveting plot crafted by screenwriter Ehren Kruger. Behind the scenes, the film boasts a production powerhouse, with Jerry Bruckheimer, Kosinski, Lewis Hamilton, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, and Chad Oman serving as producers.
What sets F1 apart is its unparalleled authenticity. The movie was made in collaboration with the entire Formula 1 community, granting the filmmakers unprecedented access to Grands Prix events, paddocks, and racing operations as production began in 2023. Real footage captured during race weekends fuels the film’s heart-pounding action, immersing viewers in the thrill of the sport.
Drivers, teams, race promoters, and the FIA played pivotal roles in ensuring the film accurately represents the passion, precision, and intensity of Formula 1. Claudio Miranda’s cinematography, paired with Hans Zimmer’s evocative score, promises to deliver a visceral cinematic experience for fans and newcomers alike.
To celebrate the movie and the start of Formula 1’s 2025 season, Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX will host exclusive premiere screenings on June 23 at 25 IMAX locations worldwide. This one-night-only event, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. local time, offers fans a unique opportunity to experience the “most authentic racing film of all time” before its international release on June 25 and North American debut on June 27.
Jeff Goldstein, President of Warner Bros. Pictures Global Distribution, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “FORMULA 1 is the global titan in the sport of racing, and it’s clear that F1 is gearing up to be one of the most hotly anticipated films of the year. Together with our partners at IMAX, we wanted to provide moviegoers the chance to see the film as soon as possible—to see Brad Pitt himself driving these incredible machines.”
Tickets for the IMAX fan-first screenings are available now at f1themovie.com.