Need For Speed? Watch These Motorsport Classics After Brad Pitt’s F1: The Movie

F1: The Movie, Brad Pitt's most recent cinematic extravaganza, had everyone revved up, and safe to say, it soars past the finish line in style. Pitt returns as Sonny Hayes, a great racer who comes back from a career-ending collision to save an underdog F1 team. His charisma and retro cool had everyone vying for seats when the first looks were announced, and now that the film is out in the theatres, critics and fans alike gave it a big thumbs‑up.

While regular viewers are captivated by the high-octane cinematography, Hans Zimmer's score, and Pitt's captivating charisma, Formula One fans are revelling in the genuine shoot-on-track action and pit crew drama. Even actual Formula One drivers, including big names like Leclerc, Norris, Gasly, and Ocon, are gushing about the structure and intensity, describing the immersion as "unbelievable". Since its June 27 debut, it has already generated considerable excitement at the box office and a great deal of affection from both casual fans and F1 fanatics. The fast-paced, well-crafted underdog story has won over many, and based on reviews, it's an exciting journey you'll want to take again.

If you are a regular moviegoer who has just gotten out of the cinema, enthralled, and interested in exploring the world of motorsports, we might have just what you need. The seasoned petrolheads might have already watched many of these, if not all, but if you’re just getting started, here are the best racing movies and shows you must add to your watchlist.

Must watch films for motorsport fans

Senna (2010)

Starting the list of best movies about racing is one of the most celebrated documentaries ever made, Senna. Directed by Asif Kapadia, it explores Brazilian motor-racing champion Ayrton Senna’s Formula One racing career, from his 1984 Brazilian Grand Prix debut to his death in an accident in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. His rivalry with fellow driver Alain Prost is given special attention, and makes for an interesting peg. 
What makes this documentary stand out in terms of storytelling is that in contrast to a standard film, it mostly uses voiceover narration, home video clips from the Senna family, and archival racecourse and broadcast news footage.

Formula 1: Drive to Survive (2019–present)

Cars racing movies have been a part of everyone’s childhood, with plenty of action movies based around the idea, including the Fast and Furious series, but this Netflix series is single-handedly responsible for getting an entire generation interested in motorsports.
The British television documentary series by Netflix, Formula 1: Drive to Survive, was created in partnership with Formula One to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the drivers and races of the Formula One World Championship. It’s got action, it’s got adrenaline, and it’s got drama! This is simply a must-watch.

Rush (2013)

The best movies about racing are not all non-fiction pieces. Enter Rush! Starring Chris Hemsworth as the flamboyant James Hunt and Daniel Brühl as the cool-calculating Niki Lauda, the Ron Howard-directed film vividly captures the thrilling competition of the 1976 Formula 1 season. The film immerses audiences in Lauda's horrific Nürburgring tragedy and his miraculous return just six weeks later, all set against a soundtrack of roaring motors, with the highlight simply being their furious yet polite struggle that culminates in a rain-soaked Japanese Grand Prix where Hunt wins the title by a single point. Rush is basically F1 arena adrenaline, but on steroids.

1:  life on the limit (2013)

You’ve gotten a taste of the drama, but what about a deeper understanding of the game? This gripping documentary, which was directed by Paul Crowder and narrated with unmatched gravitas by Michael Fassbender, takes you on a high-stakes journey through some of Formula 1's most deadly periods, from the booming 1960s to the 1994 crash of Ayrton Senna.  

It reveals a period of time when drivers raced in "mobile bombs," with the number of fatalities increasing as speed surpassed safety, using rare archive film. Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Michael Schumacher, and Bernie Ecclestone are among the voices that relate personal recollections, including Sid Watkins' life-saving efforts. Important safety measures like seat belts, barriers, and medical teams are highlighted in the movie, which transformed Formula One from a daredevil arena into a regulated sport.

Grand Prix (1966)

We cannot end this list of racing movies without mentioning one of the OGs. Directed by John Frankenheimer, Grand Prix is a cinematic homage to Formula One from the 1960s. It follows four made-up drivers as they compete in an exciting season at actual tracks like Monaco, Spa, and Monza. You are put right in the cockpit of roaring BRMs and Ferraris thanks to its innovative cinematography, which includes split-screen editing, onboard cameras, and live-action race video.  

James Gardner, Yves Montagn, Brian Bedford, and Antonio Sabàto lead the ensemble cast as they negotiate romantic relationships, high-stakes rivalries, personal conflicts, and career turning points. From a storytelling point of view as well, Grand Prix is a visceral voyage into speed and sacrifice that is still considered the gold standard for motorsport cinema, with its technical brilliance. Oh, and did you know it won an Oscar for sound and editing? Sheer throttled poetry!

You know it, we know it; this is by no means an exhaustive list of racing movies. There’s Williams (2017), the emotional tell-all of Frank Williams and his eponymous team’s triumphs and tragedies, perfect for F1 nerds. For Ferrari loyalists, there’s Ferrari: Race to Immortality (2017), focusing on the celebrated car maker’s 1950s era, oozing grit and glamour in every shot. If, like us, you grew up idolising Schumacher’s swift strategic moves, make sure you check out Schumacher (2021), which happens to be an intimate portrait of Michael Schumacher’s life and legacy, as the motorsport legend remains in critical condition post his skiing accident. Which one will you add to your watchlist first?