I'll be honest—before F1: The Movie, my knowledge of Formula 1 was pretty much limited to "those are the really expensive race cars that go insanely fast while glamorous people in sunglasses pretend this all looks perfectly normal." Tire compounds, DRS, pole positions...it all sounded like someone was speaking Klingon. But that's exactly what makes Joseph Kosinski's (Top Gun: Maverick) latest film such an incredible achievement. You don't need to know a thing about Formula 1 because the movie doesn't waste time explaining every nuance of the sport. Instead, it straps you into the cockpit, drops the visor, and dares you to hang on. By the time the checkered flag waves, you'll be cheering, cringing, and wondering how a movie about cars driving at absurd speeds became one of the year's most emotionally satisfying blockbusters.

Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a once-promising Formula 1 driver whose career ended spectacularly after a devastating crash in the 1990s. Decades later, Sonny has settled into life as a racer-for-hire until his old teammate, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), comes calling with one last opportunity. Ruben owns APXGP, a struggling Formula 1 team that's about as competitive as I would be behind the wheel of one of these machines. Desperate to save the team, Ruben convinces Sonny to return—not as the superstar he once was, but as mentor and teammate to Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), an incredibly gifted rookie whose confidence occasionally exceeds his common sense. Naturally, the two clash almost immediately, but watching that rivalry evolve becomes just as compelling as anything happening on the racetrack.

What separates F1: The Movie from countless other sports dramas is its authenticity. Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer didn't fake Formula 1—they immersed themselves in it, filming during actual Grand Prix weekends and putting Brad Pitt and Damson Idris through extensive driver training so the action feels genuinely lived in rather than digitally manufactured. The result is nothing short of breathtaking. Every race has weight. Every overtake feels dangerous. Every corner looks like it could end in either glory or disaster. Kosinski has already proven he knows how to put audiences inside high-speed machinery, and somehow he raises the bar again here. The racing sequences aren't just exciting—they're immersive enough that you'll find yourself leaning into turns from your couch like you're somehow helping.

Brad Pitt is exactly the right guy to anchor all of this. Sonny Hayes could have easily become another grizzled veteran collecting one last paycheck. Still, Pitt gives him enough charm, confidence, regret, and vulnerability to make him feel like a real person instead of a collection of sports movie clichés. Damson Idris is equally impressive, perfectly balancing Joshua's swagger with the insecurity that comes from trying to prove you're the future of the sport. Together they create a rivalry that's believable, funny, frustrating, and ultimately rewarding. Javier Bardem continues his streak of making virtually every movie better simply by showing up, bringing warmth and quiet desperation to Ruben without ever slipping into melodrama.

Warner Bros. packages the film in a gorgeous SteelBook that's every bit as sleek as the machines roaring across the screen. The artwork captures the speed, style, and elegance of Formula 1 while making for an eye-catching addition to any collection. It's the kind of premium packaging collectors hope for—simple, stylish, and worthy of the film it houses.

Here's the funny thing: I still couldn't explain DRS to you without probably embarrassing myself, and I couldn't tell Monaco from Monza without opening Google Maps. None of that matters. F1: The Movie isn't really about Formula 1—it's about redemption, friendship, teamwork, and finding one last chance to prove something, not to everyone else, but to yourself. It just happens to tell that story at nearly 200 miles per hour. Whether you're a lifelong racing fanatic or someone whose automotive expertise ends with knowing where the cup holders are, F1: The Movie delivers one exhilarating ride and easily earns its place among the very best racing films ever made.

4K UHD + Blu-ray+ Digital Limited Edition - Exclusive SteelBook

Home Video Distributor: Warner Bros.
Available on Blu-ray - July, 2026
Screen Formats: 2.39:1
Subtitles: English SDH; French; Spanish
Audio: English: Dolby Atmos; English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1; English: Dolby Digital 5.1; French: Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1; Audio descriptive
Discs: 4K Ultra HD; blu-ray; two-disc set
Region Encoding: 4K region-free; blu-ray locked to Region 1

VIDEO

Warner Bros. has crossed the finish line with a reference-quality 4K presentation that's every bit as exhilarating as the movie itself. Captured digitally with IMAX-certified cameras and finished with a native 4K digital intermediate, the image is nothing short of spectacular. Fine detail is exceptional throughout, whether you're admiring the intricate weave of carbon fiber body panels, the stitching on racing suits, or the facial textures during quieter character moments. The international race locations are gorgeous, with each circuit showcasing its own unique personality, while the vibrant team liveries practically leap off the screen thanks to the disc's excellent HDR grading.

Contrast is equally impressive. Deep blacks anchor the nighttime sequences without crushing shadow detail, while bright highlights—from blazing sunlight reflecting off polished bodywork to fireworks illuminating the podium celebrations—offer eye-catching intensity without appearing overblown. Perhaps most impressive is the sense of speed. Compression artifacts are virtually nonexistent, even during the film's blisteringly fast racing sequences. Motion remains smooth and stable, allowing every overtake, crash, and split-second maneuver to retain remarkable clarity. Simply put, this is demo material. If someone asks what 4K Ultra HD is capable of, hand them this disc.

AUDIO

If the video is impressive, the Dolby Atmos soundtrack somehow manages to upstage it. This mix doesn't merely play in your room—it completely surrounds you. Formula 1 cars roar with astonishing power, engines sweep seamlessly through the overhead channels as they blast past the camera, and every downshift, tire squeal, and collision carries tremendous impact. The Atmos mix creates an expansive soundstage that constantly places you in the middle of the action without ever becoming chaotic.

Dialogue remains crisp and perfectly prioritized, even during the loudest race sequences, while Hans Zimmer's energetic score blends beautifully with the mechanical symphony of Formula 1. The low-frequency effects deserve special mention, delivering deep, authoritative bass that gives every engine rev and gear change real physical presence. This is exactly the kind of soundtrack home theater enthusiasts dream about. Crank the volume, warn the neighbors, and enjoy the ride.

Supplements:

Commentary:

• None

Special Features:

Warner Bros. includes a well-rounded collection of featurettes that dive into nearly every aspect of bringing F1: The Movie to the screen. Clocking in at just under 50 minutes, the supplements aren't overly long, but they're packed with interesting behind-the-scenes insights that reinforce just how ambitious this production really was.

• Inside the F1: The Movie Table Read (5:10) – Join Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, and the rest of the cast as they gather for the film's first table read, offering an early glimpse at the chemistry that would eventually carry the movie.
• The Anatomy of a Crash (6:28) – An excellent breakdown of one of the film's most dramatic sequences, showing how practical effects, stunt work, visual effects, and careful planning combined to create a frighteningly realistic accident.
• Getting Up to Speed (5:02) – Brad Pitt and Damson Idris discuss the intensive driver training they underwent before filming, proving they spent far more time behind the wheel than simply pretending in front of a green screen.
• APXGP Innovations (5:26) – A fascinating look at the creation of the fictional APXGP team, including the engineering, technology, branding, and vehicle modifications that allowed it to seamlessly exist alongside real Formula 1 teams.
• Making It to Silverstone (5:08) – A behind-the-scenes look at filming during one of Formula 1's most iconic race weekends and the logistical challenges of integrating a Hollywood production into a live sporting event.
• Lewis Hamilton: Producer (5:18) – Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton discusses his role as producer and how he worked closely with the filmmakers to ensure every aspect of the sport was portrayed as authentically as possible.
• APXGP Sets and Locations Around the World (9:26) – The longest featurette on the disc explores the production's globe-spanning locations, elaborate team facilities, and the incredible work that went into making APXGP feel like a legitimate Formula 1 organization.
• APXGP and F1: How It Was Filmed (5:45) – Director Joseph Kosinski and the crew explain the groundbreaking camera technology and innovative filming techniques that placed audiences closer to the action than virtually any racing film before it.
• Sound of Speed (5:01) – A look at the film's impressive sound design, from capturing authentic

None of these featurettes overstays its welcome, and together they paint a fascinating picture of a production that spared no expense in its pursuit of authenticity. While an audio commentary would have been a welcome addition, what's included here is consistently informative, well-produced, and absolutely worth watching after the credits roll.

	Movie
	Video
	Audio
	Extras
Composite Blu-ray Grade