Brad Pitt and director Joseph Kosinski’s sleek, technically inventive ode to motor racing, simply titled F1, has entered the awards conversation. Despite being a mainstream blockbuster, the film is a massive outsider for the Best Picture Oscar, with bookmakers listing it at 200-1 alongside The Secret Agent.
The film is owned by Apple TV+, which may have complicated its theatrical impact. It finished 14th in the North American box office for 2025, placing it outside the top 10. Historically, the Oscars have struggled to embrace popular films; Oppenheimer in 2024 was the first Best Picture winner in two decades to finish in the top 10 box office of its year.
F1 benefits from a heavyweight star in Brad Pitt, often likened to Steve McQueen for his appeal to middle-aged petrolheads. The film’s main strength, however, lies in its technical innovation: new cameras were invented to put the audience in the driving seat, a technique reminiscent of Kosinski’s previous work on Top Gun: Maverick.
Formula One claims 827 million fans worldwide, and the film aims to capitalise on the sport’s growing popularity, particularly in the US and Middle East. Yet its chances of winning Best Picture remain slim, as it lacks a clear constituency among Academy voters compared to other contenders like Sinners and One Battle.
While an upset is not impossible, most experts expect F1 to enjoy a relaxed awards evening. The film’s inclusion on the nominations list may itself be considered a victory for the production team.
