Is Brad Pitt's F1: The Movie the Rebel Racer Story We Didn’t Know We Needed? Off Script, On Track!

Michele
Jun 29
3 min read

Updated: Jul 1

Brad Pitt's F1 isn’t just about lap times - it’s about not following a script.

Sound familiar? Welcome back to Off Script.

Brad Pitt plays a driver who’s too seasoned, too defiant, and too unwilling to play by the rules - of racing or society. Add Damson Idris as the rookie, and you've got high-stakes mentorship, ego clashes, and emotional torque that makes your heart race. And no, it’s not "just" their stunning good looks keeping your eyes glued to the screen. (But… that doesn’t hurt.)

F1: The Movie is about rules, reinvention, innovation, winning, losing - and going full throttle in your own lane. Oh yeah… and racing cars.

This film also blurs the line between fiction and real racing: the actors actually got behind the wheel. You can feel the grit and adrenaline. One thing’s for sure - F1 is about to pick up a whole new fanbase.

Pitt Lane of Curiosity

Brad Pitt’s rebel driver, Sonny, got me thinking:

If you’re going to break the rules, you’ve got to know them first.
Even when you’re in the driver’s seat (literally), be good to the people supporting you.
Own your mistakes. No excuses.
Madness is fine - just have a method.
Define your goals. Know what you’re chasing.
Know when to walk away.
How attached are you to your stuff?
What do Brad Pitt and Chris Farley have in common?
(My husband swears no one will get that one, but I’m keeping it.)
Chris Hemsworth has a sneaky cameo - yep, "Rush" fans, that one is for you.
Kerry Condon also starred in Gran Turismo, another fantastic F1 film.

Ready to Binge? Let’s Hit the Gas.

If this revved you up, you’re probably already queuing up your favorite car movies. And yes, I made a list, of which I'm bingeing at this very moment.

Let me know if I missed your favorite.

The Ultimate Car Movie Watchlist

F1 The Movie (2025) – In the 1990s, Sonny Hayes was Formula 1's most promising driver until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, the owner of a struggling Formula 1 team convinces Sonny to return to racing and become the best in the world. Driving alongside the team's hotshot rookie, Sonny soon learns that the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.

Drive (2011) – Ryan Gosling. A scorpion jacket. Neon noir. That elevator scene.
Baby Driver (2017) – Killer soundtrack, choreographed chases, Edgar Wright style.

Ford v Ferrari (2019) – Damon + Bale go head-to-head with Le Mans.

Gran Turismo (2023) – The wild true story of a gamer turned pro racer.

Rush (2013) – Hemsworth & Brühl as real-life F1 rivals. Adrenaline and heart.

Days of Thunder (1990) – Cruise. NASCAR. ’90s romance, screeching tires, and Kidman.

Le Mans (1971) – Steve McQueen. Speed and vibes, few words needed.

The Fast and the Furious (series) – Heists, heart, and horsepower.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) – Technically cars. Wildest ride in movie history.

Bullitt (1968) – McQueen again. The car chase that defined car chases.

The Italian Job (2003 or 1969) – Stylish Mini Cooper mayhem.

Grand Prix (1966) – Old-school Formula 1 drama with real race cars, real tracks, and jaw-dropping split-screen cinematography. It’s stylish, dramatic, and way ahead of its time - basically the godfather of all serious racing movies.