MOVIE NEWS – Brad Pitt is revving up for what could be his own version of Top Gun: Maverick with the upcoming high-octane racing drama F1. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the filmmaker behind Tom Cruise’s aviation blockbuster, this film follows an aging Formula 1 driver who mentors an ambitious rookie, played by Snowfall actor Damson Idris. The long-awaited first trailer is finally here, and it more than delivers on the hype.

From the trailer alone, it’s clear that F1 carries the same adrenaline-fueled energy as Top Gun: Maverick, but with a unique motorsport twist. Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 prodigy whose career was derailed in the ‘90s after a life-altering crash. Now, years later, he’s handed a rare second chance, but this time, he must also guide a promising young driver who reminds him of his own past missteps. The chemistry between Pitt and Idris is already electric, and that’s before even mentioning the jaw-dropping racing sequences.

Alongside Pitt and Idris, the cast boasts Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia, and Javier Bardem. Produced by Kosinski, Jerry Bruckheimer, Lewis Hamilton, Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, and Chad Oman, the film was shot amidst real-life Formula 1 races during actual Grand Prix weekends. The official synopsis of F1 reads:

“Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), once hailed as the greatest driver to never win a title, was a rising star in ‘90s Formula 1 before a catastrophic accident nearly ended his career. Three decades later, he’s a seasoned driver-for-hire when an old rival, team owner Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), convinces him to return to F1 to save a struggling team. Paired with hotshot rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), Sonny soon realizes that in F1, your fiercest competition isn’t always the driver on the opposing team—it’s the one in your own garage.”

Joseph Kosinski Promises More Than Just Thrilling Race Sequences

During the official trailer’s reveal event, director Joseph Kosinski explained that while F1 will feature exhilarating race sequences, the emotional core of the film is just as vital. “Action is meaningless without a story that resonates, supported by characters you genuinely care about,” he stated.

“Everything begins with a solid script, and Ehren Krueger—who also worked on Top Gun: Maverick—delivered an exceptional screenplay. Casting, however, is just as critical. We assembled an outstanding ensemble, and at the heart of it is Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem, whose decades-long friendship adds real depth to the film. Seeing them together on screen brings something truly special to this project.”

It remains to be seen whether F1 will match the box-office and critical success of Top Gun: Maverick, but the similarities are undeniable. That said, F1 has the chance to carve out its own niche, shifting gears from aerial dogfights to the white-knuckle world of high-speed racing.

Source: Warner Bros. / The Playlist