Famous F1 Drivers Share Reactions on the F1 Movie: Here’s What They Have to Say

Being an F1 fan, the arrival of the upcoming Formula 1 movie is definitely something to be hyped about. And while we’re all waiting for it to drop, Formula 1 drivers actually got an exclusive early screening of the film. Now, since the F1 movie is purely fictional and these drivers live and breathe the real, high-stakes world of motorsport, it’s only natural to wonder what they think of Hollywood’s take on their world. So, let’s dive into the reactions of F1 drivers upon watching the F1 movie screening.

F1 Drivers’ Reactions to the F1 Movie

A special screening for the upcoming F1 movie was held in Monaco ahead of the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, and all the drivers set to be on the grid for the race showed up for it except Max Verstappen, who was busy competing on Sim F1. However, what now hangs in the balance is whether the drivers actually appreciated the way Formula 1 has been fictionalized in the movie.

Lewis Hamilton, the F1 star who also worked as a producer on the film, openly admitted that he was nervous about how the other drivers would react to the film. He really wanted them to feel good about it.

“I was sat in the middle, and I was nervous, it was great to look around and see some of the reactions from, particularly, the drivers. I really care what the drivers think, and I wanted them to think highly of it.” – Lewis Hamilton

The Smooth Operator, Carlos Sainz, also opened up about his thoughts on the F1 movie and had nothing but appreciation for it. He said that the team working on the film has done a spectacular job, and the quality and angles of the shots seen in the movie even surprised him. Overall, Carlos Sainz thinks the F1 movie has done a solid job depicting the sport, something that’s evident from his statement —

“Honestly, I enjoyed the whole thing. There were things that really surprised me… the quality of footage they got. It’s insane. Honestly insane. That’s for me the best part of all of it. The team have done an outstanding job in putting together a very good Hollywood movie.” – Carlos Sainz

Among big names, Haas’s rookie, Oliver Bearman, also shared his opinion on the movie, stating that the film manages to depict what the drivers go through in its own, fictionalised way. He even said that the way it looks, the F1 movie might just turn out to be a massive hit while also promoting the sport among people.

“I think it really depicts in a great way what we go through, in a bit of a Hollywood way as you would expect, but that makes it really interesting. I think the goal of the movie is going to be achieved. I think it’s going to be a huge hit and it’s going to make people want to watch F1, which is really the goal of it.” – Oliver Bearman

Were There Any Negative Reviews From F1 Drivers?

So, by the looks of it, the F1 movie seems to have gained a lot of positive reviews, but among them, there were a few mixed reactions from some drivers. For instance, Nico Hülkenberg pointed out that even though the team behind the F1 movie tried to make it as realistic as possible, it is ultimately a Hollywood film and does have its fair share of exaggerations.

“Look, it’s a movie, it’s Hollywood as well. It’s more, you need to take a step back and see the broader picture, it’s not about the fine details that everything is accurate.” – Nico Hülkenberg

On the other hand, Esteban Ocon offered a more detailed analysis of the F1 movie and specifically pointed out the clear influence of Lewis Hamilton on the project. He mentioned that a lot of the realism the movie showcases is a result of Hamilton’s involvement, and it’s quite evident throughout.

However, even with that level of authenticity, Ocon added that at the end of the day, it’s still a movie, and to keep the audience engaged, certain elements were added that may not necessarily reflect real life.

“I really see where Lewis has put his touch to manage to try and make everything as realistic as possible. You can really feel that Lewis has pushed to keep it super realistic. But there were some parts that they needed to make it a little bit more Hollywood, which is obviously for all the public and needs to be catching the eye of everyone.” – Esteban Ocon

After reading these reviews, it seems that a majority of Formula 1 drivers approve of the F1 movie, and if they do, I guess we should keep our cards ready to swipe when the F1 Movie hits theaters near us. So, let’s wait and see what Warner Bros. and Brad Pitt have in store for us on June 25, 2025.