When the pulsating lights fade away, the movie ‘F1’ invites viewers into a whirlwind of action and drama that brilliantly encapsulates the essence of this racing sport. It tells the riveting tale of APXGP, a contrived F1 team that hasn’t tasted the sweetness of being in the top 10 for the last three years. Managed by Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), this team is on the brink of losing its existence as Ruben is confronted with the dire ultimatum of bagging a win by the season’s end or face dismissal.
In an act of desperation, Ruben brings on board Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a former unsuccessful F1 driver who has redeemed himself triumphantly at renowned championships like the 24 Hours of Daytona. Though this backdrop seems quite improbable – it is rare for F1 teams to win a race in a season, a more realistic proposition would have been to secure a position within the top 10 – it is necessary for the sake of intensifying the dramatic plot, the lifeblood of the film.
While the movie touches upon critical themes such as aging and legacy, it is evident that its primary objective is not to delve into extreme profundity, but rather to entertain viewers. ‘F1’ doesn’t try to be something it’s not and it delivers a satisfactory dose of amusement. The authentic formula racing sequences coupled with cockpit-style images make for thrilling spectacle. Although the narrative does feel tried and familiar, it commands attention with its quick pace and gripping execution.
The film not only scores high on the entertainment chart, but it also earns merit for its technical craftsmanship, especially in the areas of editing, sound, and scoring. Swift and precise cuts help make the action sequences lucid and compelling. The sound design feels imminently visceral, placing viewers right on the racing track with the awe-inspiring roar of the V6 engines. The film’s background score, reminiscent of the traditional F1 theme, amplifies the movie’s energy and will strike a chord with fanatics of the sport.
While the film thrives on its action-packed sequences and aural engagement, it falls short in the realm of dialogue-writing. However, ‘F1’ isn’t a movie that rests on sharp-witted exchanges. Rather, it shines during moments of silence when the images and sound do the talking. The film’s depiction of the F1 rules is particularly commendable, portrayed effortlessly rather than being heavily exposited.
Despite having quite a few elements working in its favor, the film fails to scale up to the achievements of other acclaimed sports dramas. Part of the blame can be pinned onto the racing sequences. While staying faithful to real F1 races isn’t a necessity, the film’s dependence on recurrent, unrealistic accidents makes the races seem somewhat monotonous and misses out on showcasing the real thrill of wheel-to-wheel racing and tactful decisions that truly define the sport.
A glaring lacuna in the movie is the absence of an ‘antagonistic’ race — a quintessential part that serves both as an emotional and a narrative crescendo. The lack thereof induces a sense of monotony towards the conclusion. Several details throughout the movie have been overly polished making it feel excessively glossy and artificial. This minimalistic, high-shine appearance leads to a visually blase and monochromatically subdued film at times.
Another unjustifiable decision taken by the creators involves a subplot around a female race engineer who is reduced to a mere love interest. This feels particularly disheartening in a film that had no requirement for a romantic storyline. The portrayal does nothing but perpetuate the existing gender stereotypes plaguing women in motorsports.
Moreover, the film stumbles in its failure to elucidate some of the fundamental concepts of F1 – like tyre strategy, degradation, or undercutting. The climactic race scene which supposedly took place at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, seems riddled with unrealistic crash sequences, questionable premise, and lack of penalties. All other factual inaccuracies are mostly inconspicuous and trivial.
Portraying events such as tyres engineered to endure just a few laps lasting over 20, Max Verstappen finding himself behind the slowest driver in the pit, and Ferrari, known infamously for its weak tyre strategy, using a wet tyre during rain reinforces the lack of authenticity. These inaccuracies, though humorous, damage the film’s credibility, like in a comical scene where the lead driver is chosen through a game of poker.
However, fans of the sport will appreciate the occasional tributes that are peppered throughout the movie. Iconic moments like the “Through goes Hamilton” scene, the notorious British bias and a character who is a ‘Drive to Survive’ fan turned villain, will undoubtedly appeal to the dedicated followers of Formula 1. With over the top visuals and adrenaline inducing action sequences, the film adopts the Hollywood template more than sticking to a typical formula script.
Despite its shortcomings and deviations from authenticity, the film presents an appealing spectacle for both dedicated fans and casual spectators of the sport. Both the flaws and merits rolled into one make ‘F1’, a movie that’s worth a watch. With stunning graphics and compelling sequences that suffices an appetite for entertainment, ‘F1’ successfully brings the thrill of the race on the film screen.