Cast of F1 (Film) 2025: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, and More

When Apple and Formula 1 decided to build a fictional 11th team for a movie, they didn’t just design a logo and call it a day—they cast a roster of actors who could hold their own on real racetracks. Brad Pitt leads as a veteran driver, Damson Idris plays his hotshot teammate, and they actually drove modified race cars during real Grand Prix weekends.

We are thrilled to announce the release date for the Apple Original Films Formula 1 movie, which will be released internationally on June 25, 2025.

— Formula1.com

Lead Actor: Brad Pitt · Co-Star: Damson Idris · Irish Actress: Kerry Condon · Veteran Actor: Javier Bardem · Character: Sonny Hayes

The production bought real Formula 2 cars and collaborated with Mercedes-AMG engineers to build camera-capable race cars.

— Business Insider

The five key players in that grid form a concentrated ensemble—one where each character maps to a recognisable F1 archetype. A single pattern emerges from the casting:

The implication: the film deliberately mirrors F1’s traditional power structure—veteran versus rookie, engineering brain versus team boss—to anchor the drama in recognisable dynamics. Whether that translates into authentic storytelling depends on execution.

Who is Brad Pitt supposed to be in the F1 movie?

Brad Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 driver who returns to the sport after a long absence. The official Formula1.com (the sport’s governing body) describes Hayes as part of the fictional 11th team, APXGP. Hayes is a fictional creation, not a biographical stand-in for any specific driver.

The casting of Pitt as a veteran driver leans on his star power rather than racing credibility, a trade that may resonate with older fans but risks feeling detached from the current F1 generation.

Who is the Irish actress in the F1 movie?

Irish actress Kerry Condon plays Kate McKenna, the APXGP technical director. According to IMDb (film industry database), McKenna is a senior engineering figure within the fictional team. Condon, known for her roles in Better Call Saul and The Banshees of Inisherin, brings a dramatic weight that suggests McKenna will be more than a token paddock presence.

Who is Sonny Hayes based on?

No official source has confirmed a real-world inspiration for Sonny Hayes. Apple TV Press (the film’s production arm) identifies Hayes as a purely fictional character. While fans have speculated parallels with drivers like Kimi Räikkönen or Fernando Alonso—both veterans who returned after sabbaticals—the film has not made any such link. Hayes is a narrative device, not a biography.

The implication: by keeping Hayes fictional, the filmmakers retain creative freedom but also risk losing the emotional hook that a real-life comeback story could provide.

Did the F1 movie use real cars?

Yes. Apple TV (the distributor) confirmed the production used real Formula 1 cars during filming. Rather than relying on CGI alone, the team modified real cars with camera rigs to capture authentic racing footage. Business Insider (a leading business publication) reported that the production bought Formula 2 cars and collaborated with Mercedes-AMG engineers to build camera-capable race cars.

The decision to use real F1 cars and authentic race footage gives the film a tactile credibility that few racing movies achieve, but it also introduces safety constraints that limit which scenes the stars can perform.

Did Brad Pitt drive in the F1 movie?

Pitt performed some driving, but professional stunt drivers handled the highest-speed sequences. The Daily Star (a UK news outlet) reported that Pitt was filmed driving a modified Formula 2 car at speeds up to 180 mph. Business Insider added that both Pitt and Idris drove real race cars on real F1 tracks, though they weren’t going flat-out every lap. The trade-off: the actor gets genuine onboard footage, but the film inserts a stunt double for the riskiest cornering.

What is unrealistic about the F1 movie?

Multiple elements. First, APXGP is a fictional 11th team—real F1 currently fields ten teams, and bringing a new entrant up to speed in a single season is near impossible. Second, the narrative arc of a retired driver returning to win races is pure Hollywood: no modern F1 driver has returned after a long absence and immediately achieved podium finishes. Third, according to Eye for Film (a film criticism site), the compression of time in racing sequences (several overtakes and accidents that would span multiple races get condensed) sacrifices realism for pacing. That said, the film is a drama, not a documentary.

The pattern: the film’s authenticity in production is undercut by Hollywood conventions, creating a mixed realism that will please some and frustrate others.

Is the movie “F1 The Movie” based on a true story?

No. Apple TV Press and Formula1.com both state the film is an original fictional story. While it draws inspiration from the culture, technology, and people of Formula 1, it does not recount the life of any specific driver or team. Characters, teams, and most race outcomes are invented.

What is the critics’ opinion of the movie F1 on Rotten Tomatoes?

As of the time of writing, the film has not yet been released, so Rotten Tomatoes scores are not available. Formula1.com confirmed the international release date of June 25, 2025, with a North American release on June 27, 2025. Anticipation is high given the cast and director Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), but critical reception remains unknown.

Was the F1 movie a hit or a flop?

There is no box-office data yet, as the film has not opened theatrically. However, Apple TV Press News positioned the film for a global streaming debut on December 12, 2025, suggesting Apple expects the movie to drive subscriber growth on Apple TV+ once its theatrical run concludes. The streaming-focused release strategy is a strong signal that Apple is betting on long-tail value rather than a single opening weekend.

Is the F1 movie worth watching?

That depends on what you’re looking for. The film features a star-studded cast: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Javier Bardem, and Kerry Condon. Production values are high, with real F1 cars, authentic racing footage shot during actual Grand Prix weekends, and input from the sport’s governing body (Formula1.com). For motorsport enthusiasts, the real-race authenticity offers a level of realism few racing films achieve. For casual viewers, the dramatic arcs and star power may be enough.

The catch: without critical consensus or audience reviews, the verdict remains provisional. Early enthusiasm from the F1 fan community—who appreciated the in-camera racing footage—is tempered by legitimate skepticism about the thinness of the fictional story. The film could be a thrilling love letter to F1 or a hollow spectacle wrapped in a PR campaign. The Art of Racing in the Rain similarly blends racing themes with emotional storytelling, offering a different perspective on the sport.

For F1 fans, the film offers unmatched real-on-track authenticity; for general audiences, the star power and drama may compensate for the fictional liberties. The final verdict will depend on how well the story balances spectacle and substance.

Frequently asked questions

For fans of the sport, the choice is clear: watch it for the genuine on-track footage and the chance to see real F1 cars driven hard on screen, not for documentary accuracy. For casual filmgoers, the cast alone may be reason enough. Either way, the summer of 2025 will provide the final verdict—and the ratings that follow will tell us whether this movie earned its grid slot or simply spun its wheels. For a similar film-guide format, see Little Shop of Horrors: Story, Age Rating, and Meaning.