F1 (2025) Cast
Apple Original Films / Warner Bros. Pictures | Sports Drama | Directed by Joseph Kosinski
F1 tells the story of Sonny Hayes, a Formula One driver whose career was derailed by a near-fatal crash decades ago, who is coaxed back into the sport by the struggling APXGP racing team. Paired with Joshua Pearce, a lightning-fast but volatile rookie, Sonny must rediscover his competitive instincts while navigating the politics, pressure, and physical danger of the modern Formula One paddock. Director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer shot extensively at real Grand Prix circuits across the 2023 and 2024 Formula One seasons, with the full cooperation of Formula One and the FIA.
The F1 cast is anchored by Brad Pitt in one of the most physically committed roles of his late career, alongside a strong ensemble that includes Academy Award-nominated Kerry Condon, Oscar winner Javier Bardem, and a breakthrough lead performance from Damson Idris. The decision to shoot the F1 cast at real Grand Prix events — putting Pitt and Idris on actual circuits at speed, intercut with real racing footage — gave the film an unprecedented authenticity for a fictional motorsport story. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Joseph Kosinski, who demonstrated a masterful grasp of immersive real-world action in Top Gun: Maverick, brought that same philosophy to the world of Formula One with striking results.
Main Cast
Brad Pitt
Sonny Hayes
A former Formula One driver who came agonizingly close to the pinnacle of the sport before a catastrophic crash ended his career. Brought back to the grid as a veteran teammate and mentor for a backmarker team, Sonny finds that his competitive fire has never dimmed — even as the physical demands of modern racing test his body to its limits.
Damson Idris
Joshua Pearce
A gifted, headstrong, and explosive young rookie driver who is fast enough to compete at the very top of Formula One but whose impatience and arrogance threaten to derail his potential. Joshua's relationship with Sonny evolves from friction and resentment to something approaching genuine respect as the season progresses.
Kerry Condon
Kate McKenna
A senior engineer and key figure in the APXGP team structure, whose technical expertise and clear-eyed professionalism make her indispensable to the team's ambitions. Condon, who received an Academy Award nomination for The Banshees of Inisherin, brings characteristic precision and depth to a role that could easily have been peripheral.
Javier Bardem
Ruben Cervantes
The charismatic and demanding owner of the APXGP team, a man who has invested everything in his Formula One dream and whose vision for the team drives the film's dramatic engine as much as the racing itself. Bardem brings his customary magnetic presence to a character who is simultaneously inspiring and infuriating.
Tobias Menzies
Peter Banning
A senior figure in the paddock world whose role in the story provides an element of institutional pressure and adversarial authority. Menzies, best known for The Crown and Outlander, brings the same patrician credibility to the Formula One world that has characterized his finest television work.
Sarah Niles
Supporting Role
Niles, known widely for her scene-stealing work in Ted Lasso as sports psychologist Dr. Sharon Fieldstone, appears in a supporting role. Her specific character and function in the F1 story were not confirmed in pre-release materials.
Kim Bodnia
Supporting Role
Bodnia, the Danish actor known internationally for The Bridge and his role as Vesemir in The Witcher, appears in a supporting capacity in F1. His specific character name and role in the narrative were not included in pre-release cast information.
Samson Kayo
Supporting Role
Kayo, a British actor and comedian known for Starstruck and various UK comedy and drama projects, appears in a supporting role in F1. His character details were not widely released in advance materials.
Supporting & Recurring Cast
| Actor | Character | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Pitt | Sonny Hayes | Lead protagonist, veteran Formula One driver | Top-billed lead; performed own driving sequences |
| Damson Idris | Joshua Pearce | Young rookie driver, Sonny's teammate | Supporting lead; breakout role |
| Kerry Condon | Kate McKenna | Senior team engineer | Supporting lead; Academy Award nominee |
| Javier Bardem | Ruben Cervantes | Team owner and visionary | Featured supporting role; Oscar winner |
| Tobias Menzies | Peter Banning | Paddock authority figure | Featured supporting role |
| Sarah Niles | Supporting role | Supporting cast member | Known from Ted Lasso |
| Kim Bodnia | Supporting role | Supporting cast member | Known from The Bridge, The Witcher |
| Samson Kayo | Supporting role | Supporting cast member | Known from Starstruck |
Creators & Production
Joseph Kosinski
Director. Kosinski directed Top Gun: Maverick (2022), which broke box office records and was widely praised for its immersive, technically accomplished action sequences filmed with real aircraft. His approach to Formula One in F1 follows the same philosophy: shooting real cars at real speeds on real circuits, with actors integrated into the footage with minimal reliance on CGI.
Ehren Kruger
Screenwriter. Kruger wrote the screenplay for F1, working closely with the production to develop a fictional but credible story within the highly specific and authenticity-demanding world of modern Formula One.
Jerry Bruckheimer
Producer. The legendary Hollywood producer, whose credits include the Top Gun franchise, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, and Black Hawk Down, produced F1 alongside Brad Pitt. Bruckheimer's experience with large-scale action filmmaking was central to the film's ambitious production approach.
Brad Pitt
Producer and Lead Actor. In addition to starring in F1, Pitt served as a producer on the project through his Plan B Entertainment production company. His extensive involvement in the film's development and production ensured a level of creative commitment that extended well beyond a typical acting engagement.
Apple Original Films / Warner Bros. Pictures
F1 was produced by Apple Original Films and Jerry Bruckheimer Films and distributed in theaters worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures beginning June 27, 2025. The film represents one of Apple's largest theatrical releases, following a strategy of wide theatrical windows before the film's availability on Apple TV+.
About the F1 Cast
The production of F1 was notable from the outset for the genuine commitment it demanded from its principal cast. Brad Pitt, who spent considerable time in the paddock attending actual Formula One races during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, worked closely with current and former Formula One drivers to learn the physical language of racing at the sport's highest level. He also drove specially modified two-seater Formula cars at circuits across Europe and the Americas during live Grand Prix weekends, generating authentic on-track footage that was integrated into the film's racing sequences. This level of access — unprecedented for a fictional feature — was made possible by the full cooperation of Formula One management and the enthusiastic support of the sport's community, many of whom appear in cameo roles throughout the film. Damson Idris, best known for the FX series Snowfall, underwent a similar intensive preparation process, and his portrayal of Joshua Pearce's raw speed and volatility drew strong comparisons to his acclaimed dramatic television work.
The supporting F1 cast brings considerable prestige and versatility to the film's non-racing drama. Kerry Condon's Kate McKenna provides the film with a grounded, technically credible presence in the engineering and team-operations world, while Javier Bardem's team owner Ruben Cervantes gives the film a larger-than-life figure whose passion and dysfunction drive much of the paddock politics. Tobias Menzies, whose work in The Crown and Outlander established him as one of Britain's finest character actors, adds weight and gravitas to the institutional opposition that the APXGP team faces. The combination of A-list leads, accomplished character actors, and the uniquely immersive production approach makes F1 one of the most substantive entries in the sports drama genre in recent years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who stars in F1 (2025)?
F1 (2025) stars Brad Pitt as veteran racing driver Sonny Hayes and Damson Idris as his young rookie teammate Joshua Pearce, with Kerry Condon as Kate McKenna, Javier Bardem as team owner Ruben Cervantes, Tobias Menzies as Peter Banning, and Sarah Niles, Kim Bodnia, and Samson Kayo in supporting roles.
Who plays Sonny Hayes in F1?
Brad Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a veteran Formula One driver who was forced out of the sport decades ago following a catastrophic crash, and who is brought back to race alongside a gifted but headstrong young driver for a struggling team. Pitt trained extensively with Formula One drivers and teams to prepare for the role.
Who directed F1 (2025)?
F1 was directed by Joseph Kosinski, who previously directed Top Gun: Maverick (2022) and Tron: Legacy (2010). Kosinski's experience capturing high-speed aviation in Top Gun: Maverick made him an ideal choice for a film centered on the world's fastest motorsport.
When was F1 released?
F1 was released in theaters on June 27, 2025, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film was produced by Apple Original Films and Jerry Bruckheimer Films and received a wide theatrical release before an eventual Apple TV+ premiere.
Was F1 filmed during real Formula One races?
Yes. The production filmed during actual Formula One Grand Prix weekends at real circuits around the world, with Brad Pitt and Damson Idris driving specially built two-seater Formula cars at racing speeds during live race events. The film had the full cooperation and support of Formula One and the FIA.
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