Drivers caution dedicated fans regarding the 'F1' film.

      "Welcome to Hollywood"

      Formula 1 drivers have cautioned insiders and dedicated fans of the sport that they may not appreciate the new 'F1' movie featuring Brad Pitt. On Wednesday, the active race drivers gathered at a cinema in Monaco for a private viewing, with only Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll absent. Verstappen remarked, "I informed FOM about that. I believe it releases on June 27? I’ll download it on Apple." Stroll mentioned, "I had other commitments." Verstappen clarified that attending the screening wasn't "mandatory," but most of the other drivers arrived in team attire instead of casual clothes.

      When asked for his opinion on the film, Nico Hulkenberg stated, "It’s a Hollywood production, so it doesn’t aim to get every detail right. You need to take a step back, appreciate the overall narrative, and not take it all too seriously. It’s really about presenting to a wider audience what’s happening here." Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc concurred, saying the film doesn’t depict "exactly how we experience things."

      Rookie Isack Hadjar added, "As drivers, providing feedback is challenging since we’re quite critical. However, I think for kids or those unfamiliar with the sport, it serves as a great introduction." Alex Albon advised the overly critical insiders to "just relax and view it as a movie." Gabriel Bortoleto echoed this sentiment: "It will be very beneficial for those who are still not well-versed in the sport."

      Across the pit lane, drivers generally shared a similar perspective regarding the film—recognizing its potential benefits for the sport while noting that insiders might find certain aspects cringe-worthy. Esteban Ocon mentioned, "There were elements that didn’t quite make sense to us drivers, but I noticed Lewis (Hamilton) made efforts to ensure it was as realistic as possible." When questioned about what the producers got wrong, the Haas driver added: "The crashes. In some scenes, it felt overly Hollywood. The film needs to draw in a larger audience, but I would prefer fewer crashes and more racing."

      Carlos Sainz pointed out that the drivers' critical responses mirror their feelings toward the popular Netflix series, Drive To Survive. "It will be quite beneficial for people who know nothing about Formula 1," Sainz remarked. "For the hardcore fans, journalists, and us, we’re going to spot things that may come off as too American or too Hollywood," he continued. "They also cautioned us, saying, 'Guys, we love your sport. We’re passionate about your sport. But this is Hollywood.'"