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Formula 1 drivers and team personnel were treated to an exclusive private screening of the highly anticipated “F1” movie ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, and Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg has already offered his verdict—comparing it favorably to the popular Netflix series Drive to Survive.
Speaking with Motorsport.com and other media on Thursday, Hulkenberg praised the film for offering audiences a deeper, more cinematic insight into the world of Formula 1. “I did [like it], yeah, I think it was cool, interesting, give some, you know, additional and again further insights, you know, compared to Drive to Survive, some more behind-the-scenes stuff,” he said. “So yeah, I think it was good.”
While acknowledging that drivers naturally focus on accuracy and technical details, Hulkenberg emphasized the importance of the film’s broader appeal. “Because we are in this bubble always, [we] tend to look for small mistakes,” he explained. “Well, look, it’s a movie, it’s Hollywood as well, right? So it’s more about taking a step back and seeing the broader picture.”
He added that the movie helps build a more complete picture of what goes into the sport: “It’s not about the fine details that everything is accurate, but I think it’s still a new fresh perspective, telling the public what the teams or drivers do, what goes on, how much goes in. Some good actors in there too.”
Though he noted he has very little screen time in the film, Hulkenberg appeared amused by 61-year-old Brad Pitt’s role as an active F1 driver. “Yes, I love it. It’s my role model now. This is my new aim,” he joked, adding that Pitt wasn’t present at the screening.
The evening did have one drawback, however: the lack of popcorn. Hulkenberg smiled as he recalled, “No, Stefano [Domenicali, F1 CEO] said a few words and then Joe [Kosinski, director] and Jerry [Bruckheimer, producer] said a bit but not too much, and then we just watched the movie, just a movie, but no popcorn unfortunately. That was a bit of a letdown. We were all really disappointed.”
The screening took place at Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum on Wednesday. Most of the grid attended, though Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll were among the absentees. Verstappen opted to spend time with his family, while Stroll simply said, “At some point I’ll watch it.”
The “F1” movie is set for a global release on June 25, 2025, with U.S. and Canadian audiences getting access two days later.
