“This Is Literally Against The Rules”: Here Are 5 Things “F1: The Movie” Got Wrong About Formula 1 — And 5 Details It Totally Nailed
Context:
The film 'F1: The Movie' aims to portray an authentic view of Formula 1 racing, using real F1 teams, circuits, and cars to capture the speed and excitement of the sport. The plot centers on Sonny Hayes, a former racing prodigy, who returns to help a struggling team avoid being sold by winning one of the nine remaining races. Despite the movie's efforts at authenticity, certain aspects, such as the likelihood of an aging driver returning mid-season, are deemed unrealistic given the competitive and political nature of F1. The film accurately depicts the pressures on drivers from media and sponsorships, but exaggerates elements like dramatic crashes and team conflicts. While the film succeeds in integrating real F1 personalities and the atmosphere of race weekends, it falls short in representing the increasing presence of women in the sport's workforce.
Dive Deeper:
The film features Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a former F1 driver returning to the sport to help save a struggling team from being sold, portraying the immense pressure on lower-tier teams to score points.
Authenticity is a key focus, with the movie filmed at real F1 races with actual teams and cars, accurately capturing the sport's speed and the glamour of race weekends.
Despite efforts for realism, the plot stretches credibility with the suggestion that a 60-year-old could return mid-season, a scenario unlikely due to F1's competitive and political nature.
The depiction of driver preparation and recovery is realistic, showing the importance of maintaining peak physical condition, similar to real F1 practices.
However, the film's portrayal of dramatic crashes and intense teammate rivalries is exaggerated, diverging from the more controlled and safety-conscious reality of modern F1 racing.
The movie includes real F1 figures and personalities, adding a layer of authenticity, but its representation of women in the workforce is criticized for being limited and stereotypical.
Media and sponsorship pressures on drivers are accurately depicted, highlighting the off-track demands that are a significant part of a modern F1 driver's career.