Monaco’s Star-Studded F1 Movie Premiere: First Reviews

Last night, the shimmering streets of Monaco transformed into a cinematic stage as Formula 1 drivers, team principals, and a select group of VIPs gathered for an exclusive screening of the eagerly awaited F1 movie, just days before the legendary Monaco Grand Prix. The event, set against the opulent backdrop of Monte Carlo, pulsed with glamour and anticipation, as stars of the sport arrived in jaw-dropping style. Mercedes’ George Russell rolled up in his sleek AMG ONE hypercar, its futuristic design turning heads, while seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton made a bold statement in a Ferrari Purosangue, a nod to his upcoming move to the Italian team. The screening, held in a lavish venue befitting Monaco’s reputation, offered a thrilling first look at the Brad Pitt-led film, directed by Joseph Kosinski of Top Gun: Maverick fame. Slated for a global theatrical release on June 25, the movie promises to plunge audiences into the high-stakes world of Formula 1, blending heart-pounding race sequences with a fictionalized narrative centered on the fictional APXGP team. While Rotten Tomatoes has yet to release critic or audience scores, as the film remains in its pre-release phase, the early buzz from attendees suggests it could be a landmark moment for motorsport cinema, capturing the sport’s relentless intensity and global allure.

Among the drivers soaking in the cinematic spectacle was Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the 18-year-old Italian prodigy who’s already etched his name in F1 history as one of its youngest competitors. Known for his meteoric rise through the ranks, Antonelli shared a refreshingly candid take on the movie, describing it as “pretty good” but admitting it felt “a bit long” for his taste. His comment, delivered with the unfiltered honesty of a driver accustomed to the raw adrenaline of real-world racing, sparked lively chatter among fans and added a layer of authenticity to the film’s early reception. Antonelli’s perspective, shaped by his daily immersion in the high-pressure world of F1, underscores the challenge of translating the sport’s visceral thrills to the big screen. With Rotten Tomatoes scores still pending until closer to the release date, his remarks fuel curiosity about whether the film will strike the right balance between Hollywood drama and the gritty realism of Formula 1. As Monaco’s lights dimmed and the credits rolled, the screening left attendees buzzing, setting the stage for a movie that could either soar as a definitive portrait of the sport or spark debate among purists for its creative liberties.