F1 The Movie handed four 2026 Oscar nominations

F1 The Movie has powered its way onto Hollywood’s biggest stage, landing four Academy Award nominations ahead of next March’s Oscars and underlining its status as one of the most successful sporting films ever made.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Apple Original Films, the high-octane blockbuster has been nominated for Best Picture, Best Film Editing, Best Sound and Best Visual Effects – a remarkable haul for a film rooted firmly in the world of Formula 1.

In the headline Best Picture category, F1 will go wheel-to-wheel with an eclectic field that includes Bugonia, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners and Train Dreams.

It also features prominently across the technical awards, reflecting the immersive realism that set the film apart.

The movie follows Brad Pitt’s Sonny Hayes, a veteran racer lured back to Formula 1 to rescue the struggling APX GP team alongside rookie sensation Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris.

What truly elevated the project, however, was its unprecedented access: filmed during real race weekends across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the production featured current F1 drivers – including seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who also served as an executive producer.

Since its release in June 2025, the film has smashed expectations, racing past $630 million at the global box office and immediately sparking conversations about a potential sequel.

Apple’s Confidence Boost – On And Off Screen

The film’s success has also had major ripple effects beyond cinema. Speaking at the Autosport Business Exchange London, Apple’s global head of sports Jim DeLorenzo explained how the project reshaped the company’s relationship with Formula 1 – and helped inform its decision to secure U.S. broadcasting rights from 2026.

"One of the great things about the movie, which has been obviously a huge worldwide success - that part’s been great,” DeLorenzo said.

“But really the important thing for us, what got us interested in the live rights, was being able to work with F1, work with the teams, work with the drivers.”

That close collaboration during filming proved transformative. Shot over two seasons, F1 The Movie became more than a box-office hit – it became a bridge between Hollywood, the paddock and the broadcast world.

With Oscar recognition now added to its trophy cabinet, F1 has completed a rare crossover triumph: winning over racing fans, moviegoers and the Academy alike.

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