Today, we will enter the world of Formula One and get to know this sport, its tracks, and its racers better than before with our 12 best F1 movies list! We hope you’re ready to race through these movies. Put your seatbelts on, and let’s get this show on the road!
12. Life of Speed: The Juan Manuel Fangio Story (2020)
Spanish, English, Italian, German 1h 32m IMDb
Francisco Macri
Stars: Fernando Alonso, Jackie Stewart, Toto Wolff
This film is about The Teacher (El Maestro) of the F1 world, who is no other than Juan Manuel Fangio.
It is no secret that the F1 world has been forgetting some of its old ways, which is good, considering the sport is now safer than ever. However, there are some things and people that it ought not to forget. For one, its first heroes.
This film is an ideal watch for new fans. Fangio is one of the older names in F1. However, a name to know if you want to truly see F1 for what it is.
11. Grand Prix (1966)
English, French, Italian, Japanese 2h 56m IMDb
John Frankenheimer
Stars: James Garner, Eva Marie Saint, Yves Montand
Grand Prix follows four fictional F1 racers. As you might already know, most of the F1 films out there are documentaries. This film is one of the very few fiction movies in this field, making it an ideal watch if you want something with a plot.
However, that is not all Grand Prix has to offer. It also has cameos from famous F1 racers like Juan Manuel Fangio and Jochen Rindt. The true stars to see in this film, though, are the cars. If only for these beauties, you do not want to miss this film!
10. McLaren (2017)
English, German 1h 32m IMDb
Roger Donaldson
Stars: Chris Amon, Jim Anderton, Mario Andretti
As you might have already guessed from the title, this film focuses on Bruce Leslie McLaren. It tells of the life of the driver and, of course, the McLaren Motor Racing team.
This film is ideal for McLaren fans. However, it is also a film to watch for those not acquainted with the racer. If you do not know who McLaren is, chances are you are new to the F1 world. McLaren is a name you will hear in this field. If you do not know the man yet, you might want to start now with this film!
9. Weekend of a Champion (1972)
English 1h 20m IMDb
Frank Simon, Roman Polanski
Stars: Jackie Stewart, Roman Polanski, Grace Kelly
This film centers on Jackie Stewart and the 1971 Monaco Grand Prix. Here, we hear the man talk in great detail about the sport, and get a comprehensive view of the race.
This film is ideal for the fans of Stewart, as it is one of the few films that let the viewers get up close and personal with the racer. On the other hand, it could also be a good watch for any classic racing fan as it contains details and elements only a longtime fan might notice and appreciate.
8. Schumacher (2021)
German, English 1h 52m IMDb
Hanns-Bruno Kammertöns, Vanessa Nöcker, Michael Wech
Stars: Ross Brawn, Flavio Briatore, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo
Schumacher is one of the most recent films centering on an F1 legend – Michael Schumacher. It tells his humble beginning, his career’s ups and downs, and his life off the tracks.
This film is an ideal watch for fans of the F1 racer. It gives viewers a glimpse of who the driver is as a man. If you already know of his records and history on the tracks, this film will offer a different view. It will show you another side of the racer. This film will let you get up close and personal with the seven-time champion.
7. Heroes (2020)
English 1h 51m IMDb
Manish Pandey
Stars: Mika Häkkinen, Tom Kristensen, Felipe Massa
This film tells the story of not one, not two, but five famous racers from different disciplines. It tells the story of the five and shows their differences. However, it ultimately presents their similarities – on and off the track.
Heroes is not only for F1 fans. It is a film any motor racing fan should check out. It is a film that will not only let you inside the minds of the racers but will also give you a glimpse of how they view the motor racing world.
6. Williams (2017)
English 1h 49m IMDb
Morgan Matthews
Stars: Jamie Berry, Emily Bevan, Keith Botsford
Williams is a film focusing on, debatably, the most renowned Williams in F1 – Francis Owen Garbett Williams. It tells of his race inside and outside of the tracks. With that, it also shines light on the legend’s family. To add, it also touches on the Williams Formula One team, telling of its beginnings to its influence in the world of F1 today.
As much as it is informative and educative, Williams is also a touching film. Whatever team you are on, if you are a fan of F1 or anything automotive, this film is a film to watch.
5. 1 (2013)
English 1h 52m IMDb
Paul Crowder
Stars: Michael Fassbender, Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher
1 focuses on the history of Formula One. It shows the alterations in the cars, the refinements of the tracks, and just the overall change in the sport.
1 is an ideal film to add to your watchlist if you want a general overview of the history of F1. It is a great place to start if you want to know the sport better through films. Additionally, it used rare archival footage, making it a movie you want to consider even if you are already well versed in the history of F1.
4. Rush (2013)
English, German, Italian, French, Spanish 2h 3m IMDb
Ron Howard
Stars: Daniel Brühl, Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde
Rush focuses on two of the best racers in the tracks of F1 – James Simon Wallis Hunt and Andreas Nikolaus Lauda – and it stars two amazing actors with Chris Hemsworth playing the former and Daniel Brühl the latter. The film tells their life on and off the tracks and their rivalry. As you will see, one of the fiercest in the sport.
As you likely already know, the two drivers are no longer with us today. This movie is an ideal watch if you want to learn more about the two, their rivalry, and what they did after their retirement.
3. Grand Prix: The Killer Years (2011)
English 59m IMDb
Richard Heap
Stars: Denise CookeChris Hilton, David Tremayne
As the title suggests, this film is about the killer years of the sport.
Rarely do you hear deaths in F1 today. However, it was not always like that. Fatalities were not only expected but also normal before. It took a lot before things changed. This film showed how things shifted in the sport and the sacrifices made along the way. This documentary is an ideal watch if you are interested in the sport and want to know more about its history.
2. Michael Schumacher, The Red Baron (2012)
English 1h 18m IMDb
Peter Warren
Stars: Michael SchumacherGiovanni AgnelliLuca Cordero di Montezemolo
This film centers on Michael Schumacher, who is, debatably, the best driver in F1.
This documentary aimed to tell of his ride in the F1 world and his continuing influence on the sport. The man holds many records in the sport. To add, he also is credited for reshaping and hyping F1. However, is that enough for him to get the title of the best driver in F1? Well, this film can help you decide if he does or does not.
1. Senna (2010)
English, Portuguese, French, Japanese 1h 46m IMDb
Asif Kapadia
Stars: Ayrton SennaReginaldo LemeJohn Bisignano
Senna is a documentary revolving around the three times F1 world champion – Ayrton Senna da Silva – and his life on the tracks.
The film refrained from using interviews and commentaries usually seen in documentaries. Instead, it consists of clips from races, public appearances, and private videos supplemented by the racer’s family.
The arrangement of these videos made the film look like a drama instead of a documentary. An aspect that garnered the film praise as it showed Senna’s life rather than narrating it. Senna is undoubtedly ideal for all fans of the sport.
Other F1 Movies and Series to Check Out
Is that not enough to fill your need for speed? Well, you do not need to worry. Here are some other movies and series you might want to check out.
Formula 1: Drive to Survive (2019 – )
This series is one, if not the most, popular series about F1 today. It currently has five seasons and is still ongoing.
Grand Prix Driver (2018)
This one is a miniseries that followed the McLaren team in the 2017 F1 season. An ideal watch for McLaren fans.
Hunt VS Lauda: F1’s Greatest Racing Rivals (2013)
This one is a movie that, as the name suggests, takes a closer look at the rivalry of James Simon Wallis Hunt and Andreas Nikolaus Lauda.
One by One (1974)
One by One is a documentary that focuses on one of the most tragic seasons in the sport – the 1973 F1 season. It tells of the deaths of some of the most famous racers of this time and shows just how deadly this sport is.
Final Words
Today, we showed you our 12 best F1 movies list and so much more! We hope we got to help fill your need for speed today.
Do you want more sports films?
Are you looking for more movies with a lot of action?
On the lookout for heart-racing films?
Well, whatever you want, we likely have a movie or two for you in our other lists and discussions. So, give them a visit now!