Brad Pitt’s Sonny Hayes, a passionate yet reckless Formula One driver in F1: The Movie, is captivating audiences and racing up the box office charts in 2025. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the film boasts racing sequences that feel authentic, making the high-octane world of Formula One accessible to viewers who might not be familiar with the sport. Part of its allure lies in its pulse-pounding, visually stunning races that keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
In the film, Hayes uses several shrewd tactics to manipulate F1 rules in his favor, notably leveraging the safety car’s deployment. This strategic move reduces speed on the track, offering drivers a tactical advantage in reconfiguring their position. However, this rule-bending nature not only defines Hayes’ character but also heightens the tension throughout the film’s racing episodes.
However, in a candid interview with Vulture, F1 journalist Chris Medland pointed out that many of Hayes’ strategies would be deemed “problematic” in real racing scenarios. He recalled a significant incident from 2008 known as “Crashgate,” where a team orchestrated a deliberate crash to trigger a safety car. This scandal led to severe repercussions and serves as a cautionary tale against the aggressive strategies portrayed in the film.
“You definitely see more aggressive drivers out on the course,” Medland noted. “If that was seen as something done deliberately, it would be pretty problematic.”
Throughout the Hungarian Grand Prix sequence in F1: The Movie, Hayes resorts to collisions and crashes to facilitate safety car deployments. This move helps his teammate Joshua Pearce secure a better position, as pit stops become less time-intensive during periods of reduced speed. Yet, this tactic could easily lead to penalties in a real race.
“A big part of Formula One is track position,” Medland elaborated. “If you haven’t made your pit stop yet, then you’re naturally ahead of those who have.”
Implications of Hayes’ Controversial Strategy on the Film’s Realism
Consequences Awaiting Hayes for His Actions
According to Medland, should Hayes’ antics mirror real-life scenarios, he and his team would likely face significant repercussions. Although proving intent is crucial, the repeated collisions that create track debris could be interpreted as deliberate actions, particularly when they favor his team’s outcomes. The absence of penalties for Hayes in the film detracts from its overall accuracy, even as the film attempts to showcase the contentious nature of his strategies.
Despite his loophole exploitation, the film does not shy away from addressing the frustration his reckless driving causes among fellow drivers, including icons like Max Verstappen. The tensions escalate, driving conflicts between Hayes and his team over his unpredictable tactics. While the narrative may downplay the consequences, the movie effectively highlights the controversies surrounding Hayes’ behavior.
Expert Opinions on F1: The Movie
Entertainment Over Accuracy
For dedicated F1 fans like Medland, witnessing Hayes manipulate the rules might incite frustration. Yet, his determined spirit and clever maneuvers render him a compelling and multifaceted character. There’s something to admire in his relentless pursuit of victory, even when it comes at the cost of team harmony.
While F1: The Movie may stray from reality, it masterfully weaves drama, humor, and suspense into its racing narrative, making for an exhilarating summer blockbuster. In cinema, it’s commonplace for sports narratives to bend or break real-world rules for heightened excitement, and F1: The Movie treads that line without venturing into absurdity, creating an experience that resonates with a broad audience.
As the film races into the spotlight, audiences continue to engage with the thrilling world of Formula One, eagerly anticipating where this captivating story will lead next.