F1 the Movie: Inside the World of 3OO KM/H

With speeds that slice through the wind, engine roars that pound against the heart, and hidden stories that lie within, F1: The Movie is not just another racing film. Carrying on the legacy of Top Gun, this film precisely captures both the light and dark sides of those who pursue ultimate speed. Following the choices and collisions of people who stake everything on a single race reveals emotions and truths lying beyond speed itself. Join the Sungkyun Times (SKT) and race into the world of F1: The Movie.

Racing Lines to Storylines

-From Track to Screen

F1: The Movie is the highly anticipated follow-up to Top Gun: Maverick, once again helmed by director Joseph Kosinski, who captivated audiences worldwide with his signature blend of speed, emotion, and cinematic intensity. This time, he shifts his lens to the thrilling world of Formula 1 (F1), the fastest and most elite motorsport in the world, held across more than 20 countries each year. With racecars reaching speeds of over 300 km/h and a championship determined by points earned across a season, F1 showcases the perfect blend of team strategy, advanced technology, and individual driving talent. In this film, Kosinski brings the adrenaline-fueled atmosphere of real circuits to life, employing immersive camerawork and dynamic pacing to capture the essence of the track. Brad Pitt, one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, takes on his first role as a racer, sparking excitement among audiences. The film’s anticipation is further heightened by legendary composer Hans Zimmer, renowned for his work on The Lion King and Interstellar, who joins as music director. Adding a sprinkle of authenticity to the movie, seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton participated in the film’s production, helping to shape the realistic depictions of true race dynamics. Real-life F1 drivers also appear in cameos, further grounding the film in the sport’s contemporary scene. Set against the backdrop of F1’s 75^th anniversary, the movie interweaves the story of the fictional 11^th team, APXGP, with vivid reimagining of the sport’s most iconic moments — offering both longtime fans and newcomers an exhilarating glimpse into the drama and glory of F1.

-Synopsis (*Spoiler Alert)

Sonny Hayes, once a rising star in F1 who captured the world’s attention, saw his dreams of winning crushed after a horrific accident left him unable to reach the top. Having fallen from grace, he lives away from the spotlight until his long-time friend and former colleague, Ruben Cervantes, offers him a chance to return. Sonny joins APXGP, the lowestranked team on the grid, hoping for redemption. There, he meets the team’s young genius driver, Joshua Pearce. As Joshua’s ambition to become the best clashes with Sonny’s desperate quest for redemption, tensions between them only grow. Meanwhile, APXGP’s strategies continue to fail, leaving the team stuck at the bottom of the points table with no hope in sight. However, when the red lights fade, the race begins — and with it, a battle for pride, rebirth, and destiny.

Checked Flags and Caution Lights

-Racing into Acclaim

The overwhelmingly positive reviews prove that F1: The Movie is far more than a simple racing film — it is a wholly immersive experience. While available in various formats, the IMAX version delivers a truly absorbing dynamic realism. With its 1.90:1 aspect ratio that pushes the limits of human vision, this captures the vast curves and long straights of the circuit, the sweeping sky above, and the blur of speed with astonishing clarity. The engaging atmosphere is further heightened by the thunderous engine roars and screeching tire friction, amplified through dedicated high-output speakers and ultra-low-frequency woofers. This blend of physical speed and sensory vibration turns the entire theater into a vibrating machine. A standout example is the firstperson view from the driver’s seat — racing at over 300 km/ h, the viewer sees the road through the driver’s eyes and feels the vibration of the steering wheel. This perspective creates a powerful sense of sensory identification, as if the audience is actually behind the wheel. Furthermore, Hans Zimmer’s hybrid score weaves electronic tension with orchestral grandeur, amplifying every turn and collision with heartpounding resonance. Contributions from famous pop artists like Ed Sheeran and Tate McRae also add emotional layers, enriching the soundtrack into a compelling album in its own right. In the end, this film transcends the boundaries of a conventional sports film, offering a transportive journey into the world of F1.

-Where Fiction Fails Reality

While F1: The Movie has been praised for its thrilling direction and visual symphony, it has also faced criticism from F1 fans for its unrealistic portrayal of the sport. At the heart of the backlash lies the film’s significant distortion of actual F1 regulations and sportsmanship. The most controversial element is its clear reference to the notorious Crashgate scandal — the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix incident, where a deliberate crash was orchestrated to manipulate the outcome of the race. In this incident, the safety car, a vehicle deployed during accidents or severe weather to ensure the safety of the race, was misused to stage an artificial win, which remains one of F1’s darkest moments and a taboo in motorsport history. The film, however, reinterprets this event as a bold strategy by the protagonist’s team and frames it as a heroic decision by Brad Pitt’s character, Hayes — leading to accusations of glamorizing unethical behavior. Moreover, even with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton serving as a production advisor, many critics argue that the story lacks credibility. The idea of a driver in his fifties joining a last-place team and, within just half a season, emerging as a championship contender by turning the tide of a race through a staged crash has left many F1 fans baffled. While creative license is expected in fiction, critics point out that more plausible underdog scenarios, such as surprise weather changes or unexpected penalties, could have delivered drama without compromising the integrity of the sport.

F1: The Album

-Lose My Mind (feat. Doja Cat) - Don Toliver

But it feels so good, I might just lose my mind No question if it’s wrong or right And now it’s too late, no way to take it slow, oh

This track captures the dizzying speed and tension of an F1 race reaching over 300 km/h better than any other. It conveys the reckless yet electrifying thrill of drivers pushing beyond their limits, capturing the sensation of being inside the roaring machine, on the verge of blacking out from the rush.

-Just Keep Watching - Tate McRae

I wanna make my mind up (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah; Uh-huh) ’Cause I know where this might go Wanna take your time up (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) But you make it difficult

Amid the roaring engines and flashing lights, this track traces the fragile threads of human connection. The weight of pressure, the stillness in tension, and the unspoken emotions blooming in chaos unfold not with noise, but with piercing elegance.

-Drive - Ed Sheeran

Flyin’ through the city with the speakers up loud Speedin’ by with the top down Fast lane, livin’ till they put me in the ground and I don’t wanna stop now

As the credits roll, this final track lingers like smoke on the asphalt. It does not mark an end, but a continuation — an ode to the unyielding instinct to chase, to run, to live at full throttle. More than a conclusion, it is a realization — for these drivers, speed is not a choice, but a fate. Like the echo of an engine roar long after it has passed, the song leaves behind a visceral resonance.

Speed alone does not make a racer. F1: The Movie ignites something deeper than adrenaline — a reminder that behind every visor is a person willing to risk everything for a fleeting moment of glory. The track may end, the engines may quiet, but the fire that drives them never fades.