Key highlights
- Brad Pitt’s high-octane racing drama F1: The Movie opens in India with INR 5.25 crore on Day 1.
- Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the film blends real F1 race footage with a fictional storyline.
- Produced by Lewis Hamilton’s Dawn Apollo Films, the movie features cameos from real F1 drivers and teams.
The engines have fired up and the lights have gone out—F1: The Movie has officially opened in cinemas across India. Starring Brad Pitt as fictional F1 veteran Sonny Hayes, the film has made a strong start at the Indian box office, collecting INR 5.25 crore on its opening day.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski (of Top Gun: Maverick fame), the film is a sports drama that combines real-world Formula 1 action with a fictional redemption arc. It’s produced by Dawn Apollo Films, a company co-founded by seven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who also served as a creative consultant.
Plot and production: A fictional team in a real F1 world
Brad Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a former F1 prodigy who returns to the grid to mentor a rising star, Joshua Pearce (played by Damson Idris). The duo races for a fictional 11th team, APX GP, which was integrated into actual F1 race weekends for filming.
To maintain authenticity, the crew used modified Formula 2 cars to replicate modern F1 machines. The film was shot at real Grand Prix circuits, including Silverstone and Spa, during live race weekends.
Box office and audience response
The film sold over 55,000 tickets in advance bookings across India’s top cinema chains like PVR Inox and Cinepolis. The IMAX version, in particular, has drawn large crowds thanks to its immersive race sequences.
Critics have praised the film’s visual realism and in-cockpit action, though some have noted that the screenplay leans on familiar tropes. Still, the film’s cinematic spectacle and star-studded cameos have made it a must-watch for motorsport fans.
Cameos and Easter Eggs
Real-life F1 drivers and team principals make appearances throughout the film. Fans will spot Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and even glimpses of Mercedes’ wind tunnel and Williams’ simulator.
The film also includes a mid-credits scene set in Baja, California, hinting at a possible sequel or spin-off involving off-road racing.
Our thoughts
This isn’t just a movie—it’s a love letter to Formula 1. From the roar of the engines to the tension in the pit lane, F1: The Movie captures the adrenaline of the sport like never before.
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