Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson recently shared his thoughts on the highly anticipated F1 movie, drawing a direct comparison to the iconic film Top Gun. Speaking ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, Lawson reflected on a private screening he attended with much of the Formula 1 grid, emphasizing the movie’s strong appeal.
Connection between the F1 movie and Top Gun’s director
The F1 film is directed by Joseph Kosinski, who also helmed the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick, featuring stars such as Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Miles Teller, and Glen Powell. In order to create an authentic portrayal of the sport, Kosinski collaborated closely with seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton, who served as an executive producer on the project.
Lawson compares F1 movie’s authenticity to that of Top Gun for pilots
Lawson offered his view that just as fighter pilots might notice inaccuracies in Top Gun, fans and insiders will likely spot some imperfections in the F1 movie. However, he stressed that the film’s purpose is entertainment and capturing the spirit of the sport rather than perfect technical accuracy.
“You can always find holes and poke holes and things, but I think it’s a movie at the end of the day, and I think it’s the same if you’re watching Top Gun. I’m sure if you’re a fighter pilot and you’re watching a movie like that, you’re going to pick things in there that you might see differently. But, at the end of the day, I think the movie’s incredible, and I think that’s what most people are going to see when they watch this movie as well.”
—Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Expectations for the F1 movie’s impact and popularity
When asked about the film’s potential to become a classic within the motorsport genre, Lawson expressed confidence in its success, predicting it to be among the biggest movies of the year upon release. His anticipation has been echoed by other drivers, including Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg.
“I think it’s going to be huge when it comes out. I think it honestly has the potential to be one of the biggest movies of the year, for sure.”
—Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Other drivers emphasize the film’s wider appeal beyond accuracy
Nico Hulkenberg acknowledged that being immersed in Formula 1 means drivers often notice small mistakes in films about the sport. However, he highlighted the importance of viewing the movie as a Hollywood production that offers a fresh perspective to the public about the inner workings of teams and drivers.
“Because we are in this bubble always, [we] tend to look for small mistakes. Well, look, it’s a movie, it’s Hollywood as well, right? So it’s more about taking a step back and seeing the broader picture. It’s not about the fine details that everything is accurate, but I think it’s still a new fresh perspective, telling the public what the teams or drivers do, what goes on, how much goes in, so it builds more of a picture again, I think. Some good actors in there too.”
—Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Release schedule and final outlook for the film
The F1 movie is set for a global release on 25 June 2025, with screenings in the United States and Canada following on 27 June. With its combination of strong direction by Joseph Kosinski, involvement from key Formula 1 figures like Lewis Hamilton, and enthusiastic support from current drivers, the film is poised to resonate widely with both fans of motorsport and cinema alike.
