Will F1 The Movie’s Alternate Ending Change Your Perspective?

Warning: Major spoilers for F1: The Movie

F1: The Movie delivers an adrenaline-packed journey through the high-stakes world of Formula One racing, but it almost featured an entirely different climax. Director Joseph Kosinski revealed that an alternate ending was once filmed, showcasing a different winner in the movie’s nail-biting final race. The film stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a washed-up racer backed by a last-place F1 team, alongside Damson Idris, Javier Bardem, and Kerry Condon.

Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes, is inspired by a real-life British driver and embarks on a redemptive quest to reclaim his legacy in racing. Under his guidance, rookie driver Joshua Pearce, played by Idris, struggles with his own arrogance while learning the ropes of high-speed racing.

In the dramatic finale, Sonny clears the path for Joshua, only to find himself racing ahead toward podium glory due to a twist of fate. Kosinski elaborated in a GQ interview, saying, “We actually did shoot an ending with Damson winning as well… Where he went up there, and held [the trophy] up.” He mused about the staged nature of it, noting, “Did we shoot it with the cameras? I feel like we just staged it to try to throw people off.” Though fans might anticipate the hero’s triumph, Kosinski highlights the importance of the journey over the conclusion, remarking, “That’s where the entertainment is.”

How F1: The Movie’s Alternate Ending Changes The Movie’s Payoff

It Changes How Sonny Hayes’ Character Arc Concludes

Sonny Hayes’ narrative arc in F1: The Movie is fundamentally one of redemption. A catastrophic crash ended his once-promising career, modeled after a real-life incident, and he spends the following decades chasing the high-speed thrill of racing, albeit in the shadows of his former glory. Sonny’s victory in the final race, while somewhat predictable in the context of sports dramas, serves as a powerful catharsis—an exclamation point on a career fraught with adversity.

The alternate ending would likely have involved Sonny sacrificing his chance at victory for the sake of his younger teammate, Joshua. Such a twist would not only have elevated Sonny’s character but also symbolized a passing of the torch—a narrative turn that resonates with audiences who understand the impermanence of time in sports.

Yet, the twist of fate that allows Sonny to seize victory is essential to his character’s journey. It provides a satisfying closure to the pursuit that has defined his life. While Sonny has experienced many wins, triumphing in a Formula One Grand Prix represents the culmination of redemption he has sought since his youth.

Kosinski Picked The Right Ending, Even If Both Would Work

Ultimately, either ending could have worked, with Sonny’s role primarily serving to elevate the APX F1 team’s prospects. If he had chosen to allow Joshua to win, it would still resonate as a victory for Sonny, conveying deep character growth in his role as a mentor.

However, Kosinski’s choice underscores the essence of cinematic storytelling—the thrill of a strong conclusion lies not in shock value but in the emotional resolution of the characters. The predictability of Sonny’s triumph does not diminish its impact; executed well, it mirrors iconic moments in film history, akin to Rocky Balboa’s emotional rise in Rocky II, or the US Men’s hockey team’s surprising victory in Miracle.

The feeling of an inevitably uplifting end maintains its power when tied to a well-crafted journey, which Kosinski captures brilliantly in F1: The Movie.

Source: GQ