Does racing's new blockbuster have the winning formula?

With a hot-shot director and one of Hollywood's biggest actors, what could go wrong for F1? Well, quite a lot, says Katy Fairman

- Katy Fairman

Racing films have always had a reputation for being comedically unrealistic, and unfortunately this production is another to add to the list. There’s no denying that it is beautifully shot, with director Joseph Kosinski giving the audience a new perspective from the driver's cockpit, but a zero-to-hero plot scattered with inconsistencies and crashes more at home in the F1 video game means this film never gets out of first gear.

The movie begins with a stint at the Daytona 24 Hours for Brad Pitt's character Sonny Hayes. Living in his van, as an ageing driver-for-hire, he nonetheless helps the sports car team regain the lead after a night shift behind the wheel. As Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin is blasted out, complemented by some incredible racing shots from around the Speedway, things start promisingly enough - but then we get onto the actual F1 plotline.