Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ Movie Accelerates to Four Oscar Nominations, Eyes Best Picture Glory
In a thrilling boost for motorsport cinema, the blockbuster film F1, starring Brad Pitt and co-produced by Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton, has secured four nominations at the 2026 Academy Awards, including the prestigious Best Picture category.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
Directed by Joseph Kosinski and backed by producer Jerry Bruckheimer—known for high-octane hits like Top Gun: Maverick—the movie also earned nods for Best Film Editing, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects. Released in the summer of 2025, F1 has already revved up global box office success, grossing over $630 million worldwide.
The film immerses audiences in the high-stakes world of Formula 1, following veteran driver Sonny Hayes (played by Pitt) as he makes a dramatic comeback to the grid with the fictional APX GP team, mentoring rookie Joshua Pearce, portrayed by Damson Idris.
To capture authentic racing thrills, extensive filming took place during actual F1 race weekends in 2023 and 2024, including the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, with real drivers like Hamilton appearing alongside the cast. Hamilton, the seven-time world champion now driving for Ferrari at age 41, served as an executive producer and contributed to the script to ensure realism, emphasizing the sport’s intensity and technical accuracy.
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F1 faces stiff competition in the Best Picture race against nine other nominees: Bugonia, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners, andTrain Dreams. The nominations have sparked excitement across Hollywood and the racing community, with outlets like GQ highlighting the collaboration between stars like Pitt, Hamilton, Bruckheimer, and Idris in crafting what could be “the greatest racing movie of all time.” Idris himself celebrated the nods, noting in fan reactions that “It was always my team,” reflecting the film’s theme of camaraderie on the track.
The 97th Academy Awards ceremony is set for March 15, 2026, in Los Angeles, where F1 could drive home hardware and further elevate the global appeal of motorsport storytelling. This recognition not only celebrates the film’s technical achievements but also underscores Formula 1’s growing cultural footprint, blending real-world racing drama with cinematic spectacle.