The protagonist, Sonny Hayes—portrayed by Brad Pitt—is not a historical F1 driver, and there is no real APXGP team or “Joshua Pearce” on the current grid.

However, the film’s narrative leans into the visual and emotional truths of Formula 1 racing. Filming took place during actual 2023 and 2024 Grand Prix weekends, with drivers like Lewis Hamilton even serving as consultants, ensuring authenticity in the racing sequences and behind-the-scenes action. 

Martin Donnelly: The Real-Life Inspiration

The film’s emotional spine and Sonny Hayes’ dramatic backstory draw significant inspiration from the real-life crash of Northern Irish driver Martin Donnelly.

In 1990, Donnelly suffered a horrific crash at the Spanish Grand Prix that instantly ended his F1 career. The use of actual footage from this accident, along with Donnelly’s personal superstitions and rituals, provided a powerful template for Sonny Hayes’ character.

While the movie imagines a triumphant comeback to F1 for Sonny, the real Donnelly was never able to return to the grid—making Hayes’ story a kind of “what if” fantasy based on motorsport’s harsh realities. 

Hollywood Drama with Authentic Roots

Although ‘F1 The Movie’ is largely fictional, it deeply respects and reflects the sense of danger, rivalry, and resilience synonymous with Formula 1.

Most supporting characters and teams are creative inventions, but their struggles echo real-world challenges—team infighting, career-jeopardizing crashes, and the long-shot pursuits that define racing legends.

Brad Pitt, the filmmakers, and F1 personalities have all emphasized their commitment to representing the sport authentically, blending genuine passion with blockbuster spectacle to create a film that feels emotionally, and at moments, close to true events.