Brad Pitt leads F1 with his signature leading charm that’s effortless and likable, even when character makes selfish decisions. Together with the rest of the cast, and the film’s commitment to in-camera racing and massive scale, this sports drama has all the right ingredients, even if the story is rather standard. The cinematography in the racing action is beautiful, and the sound design is impeccable and immersive. Hans Zimmer’s score is a standout, as is the soundtrack that includes celebrated contemporary hip hop artists. This exciting energy elevates the film and makes what you’re seeing feel so real. However, the character beats are almost all formulaic (no pun intended) — the reluctant veteran thrown back in, the cocky rookie and the rivalry between them, the antagonistic businessman, and so on. It’s never hard to tell where the story is going, and we’ve seen similar arcs before, even in Joseph Kosinski’s own Top Gun: Maverick . That said, the aforem...