Is ‘F1’ Based on a True Story? The Real Inspiration Behind the Brad Pitt Sports Film Is Revealed

F1 follows the story of racer Sonny Hayes, a driver who had to retire from Formula 1 after a devastating crash. The character, played by Brad Pitt, later returns to the sport with some persuasion from Javier Bardem’s Ruben Cervantes. He goes on to race for the Apex Grand Prix team and mentor rookie Joshua “Noah” Pearce, played by Damson Idris.

The sports drama, due out in theaters on June 27, 2025, has generated a ton of buzz for its fast-paced scenes full of adrenaline. The film also stars Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies and Shea Whigham.

Since the film was first announced, many have wondered if the story is based on the real life of a racer or if it’s a work of fiction.

Us Weekly breaks down whether or not there’s some truth to the film.

Was ‘F1’ Filmed at Real Races?

F1 was filmed at real grand prix races that took place from 2023 to 2024. Pitt and Damson actually got behind the wheel of real life race cars to film scenes for the movie.

“Every time you see Brad or Damson driving [in] this movie, they’re driving on their own in one of these real race cars on a real F1 track,” director Joseph Kosinski revealed per the F1 website. “So that’s kind of how we approached the making of this film.”

Pitt reflected on tackling the role headfirst and embracing the race car driver mentality while portraying Sonny.

“It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before,” he told Extra at the film’s New York City premiere on June 16, 2025. “There’s this strange calm that happens in the car and this total focus and presence that, like, I’ve never experienced from anything else.”

Is ‘F1’ Based on a True Story?

While F1 was filmed at real races, the movie is not based on a true story. The goal of the cast and crew was to make a movie that was as “authentic” to the sport as possible.

“We trained like four months out of the year to really hone our craft in these vehicles — and we also did it while having to act and try to look cute and say your lines,” Idris told The Hollywood Reporter at the film’s NYC premiere.

He continued, “When you watch this movie, it’s the most authentic racing movie of all time; I can’t stress that enough. And that was the goal we set out for ourselves. So I’m so proud. I’m so happy that big movies are coming back.”

The scenes in the film were all met with the precision and accuracy with which real-life race car drivers approach the sport. In fact, racer Lewis Hamilton was brought on as a producer for the film to ensure the movie’s authenticity.

“He gave us all the confidence in the world in making this movie,” Apple Worldwide Video chief Zack Van Amburg said ahead of the film’s release, per Variety. “Without Lewis, we wouldn’t have had the results we had. I don’t think Formula 1, without [Hamilton’s] personal stamp of approval, would have opened up the race tracks the way they did to the film and to the actors who were suddenly out there on the grid with real race cars.”