F1 The Movie set for June 27 release: Brad Pitt’s racing drama hits global IMAX

F1 The Movie, starring Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a fictional Formula 1 driver making a comeback after a career-halting crash, is set for a global theatrical and IMAX release on June 27, 2025.

The film, an Apple Original Films production distributed by Warner Bros., uniquely blends fiction with reality by featuring real F1 drivers and teams, filmed during actual Grand Prix weekends. This approach aims to deliver an authentic racing experience to both die-hard fans and newcomers.

Director Joseph Kosinski, known for "Top Gun: Maverick," emphasized the ambition to create a film that resonates with experts and casual viewers alike: "Our ambition was to make an authentic racing film... that plays to people who dont know anything about Formula 1 or other sports."

Apple contributed cutting-edge technology by developing a custom camera module from iPhone components, engineered to endure the extreme shock, vibration, and heat of professional motor racing. This innovation was tested on real F1 tracks during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, capturing footage in Apples ProRes codec with log format for advanced color grading.

The technological advancements from the film influenced consumer devices, with features like log encoding and Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) support added to the iPhone 15 Pro, enhancing filmmaking capabilities.

Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton praised Brad Pitts driving skills during production: "He had a bit of a feel for it already. It wasnt completely alien."

Apple Senior Vice President Eddy Cue noted the films impact on audiences unfamiliar with F1: "When we finish and we ask how many of you would like to go see a race now, literally every single hand goes up."

The star-studded New York premiere at Radio City Music Hall featured appearances by F1 drivers Charles Leclerc and George Russell, alongside Apple CEO Tim Cook, underscoring the films high-profile appeal.

"F1 The Movie" promises to be a thrilling cinematic event that brings the speed and drama of Formula 1 racing to a broad global audience.

F1 The Movie, starring Brad Pitt as a fictional Formula 1 driver, premieres globally in IMAX and theaters on June 27, 2025. The film features real F1 drivers and teams, with innovative Apple camera technology capturing authentic racing scenes, aiming to engage both fans and newcomers to the sport.