Loved 'Formula 1' with Brad Pitt? Discover the classics of the genre! 5 best racing movies from Ron Howard's blockbuster to Steve McQueen's work.

Streaming service Apple TV+ burst into the world of racing movies in a big way, releasing a film starring Brad Pitt. Joseph Kosinski, who already proved his mettle in creating technically flawless blockbusters with 'Top Gun: Maverick', this time swapped fighter jets for Formula 1 cars. And if you enjoyed this story of a racing veteran's return, it's time to get acquainted with the classics of the genre — those films that turned the roar of engines into true cinematic art.

Alexander Popov

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On June 27, the sports drama 'Formula 1' by Joseph Kosinski about a failed racer played by Brad Pitt premiered worldwide. We tell you why the new Apple TV+ project...

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Racing cinema is a specific thing. It's not enough to just show cars going fast. You need to make the viewer feel the vibration of the steering wheel, hear the screech of tires on turns, and, most importantly, understand what lies behind this obsession with speed. The best racing movies can tell a story not only about rivalry on the track but also about the inner demons of drivers, which are sometimes scarier than any corner.

'Rush' (2013)

If you have to choose one film about Formula 1, it would be 'Rush' by Ron Howard. The story of the rivalry between Briton James Hunt and Austrian Niki Lauda in the 1976 season became the gold standard of how to make sports dramas. It has everything: technical perfection, psychological depth, and acting that makes you forget you're not watching documentary footage.

Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl created on-screen images of two completely different people united by one passion. Hunt is a handsome rebel living life to the fullest; Lauda is a meticulous perfectionist for whom racing is primarily math and calculation. Their rivalry reaches its peak after Lauda's terrible accident at the Nürburgring, when the Austrian returns to racing with still-unhealed burns. The scene where he has fluid drained from his lungs and asks to repeat the procedure after seeing his rival's victory on TV is one of the most powerful episodes in sports cinema history.

'Ford v Ferrari' (2019)

James Mangold proved that racing cinema can be about more than just Formula 1. The story of designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles, who built a car capable of beating Ferrari on their own turf, became one of the best films of the decade. Matt Damon and Christian Bale created a convincing portrait of male friendship in a world ruled by corporate interests.

What's especially impressive is how the film balances technical details and human relationships. There's no room for sentimentality — just an honest conversation about what it means to be the best at your craft. The Le Mans race becomes not so much a competition of cars as a clash of philosophies: American audacity versus European tradition. And when the Ford GT40 finishes first, it feels like a true triumph of the human spirit over the machine of corporate bureaucracy.

'Grand Prix' (1966)

John Frankenheimer created the first truly epic racing film, and few have managed to replicate his achievement since. 'Grand Prix' is a three-hour epic that immerses the viewer in the world of 1960s Formula 1 with all its intrigues, passions, and dangers. Frankenheimer worked under combat conditions, mounting cameras on actual race cars and filming during real races.

The result exceeded all expectations: the film won three Oscars and became a template for all subsequent racing movies. It features unique first-person footage shot at high speed and distinctive editing using multiple screens simultaneously. But most importantly, it captures the atmosphere of an era when racing was truly deadly, and drivers seemed like modern gladiators. The star-studded cast — James Garner, Yves Montand, Brian Bedford — created a gallery of unforgettable characters for whom speed mattered more than life.

'Senna' (2010)

Asif Kapadia made not just a documentary but a whole poem about greatness and tragedy. The story of Ayrton Senna is a tale of a man who turned racing into art but paid for it with his life. The Brazilian driver, considered by many the greatest of all time, died in 1994 during the San Marino Grand Prix at the age of 34.

The film takes the viewer through Senna's entire life — from his first karting championships to the tragic finale. Kapadia uses archival footage and interviews, creating a sense of presence. There are no intrusive comments or attempts to explain the inexplicable — just the pure truth about a man who lived for racing and died for it. The film works especially well paired with 'Ford v Ferrari' — both tell the story of the tragic triumph of people infinitely devoted to their craft.

'Le Mans' (1971)

Steve McQueen, besides being an outstanding actor, was also a real racer, and 'Le Mans' became his personal project. The film was shot during an actual endurance race, and McQueen himself drove the car in most scenes. To prepare for filming in March 1970, McQueen participated in the real 12 Hours of Sebring race, where he finished second driving a Porsche 908 alongside Peter Revson. The result is specific — minimal dialogue and maximum pure drive.

Initially, the project was planned as a documentary, but CBS, which financed the film, insisted on a more dramatic script. The problem was that there was no script at all. Only when the budget exceeded plans by $1.5 million, filming dragged on for three months, and the director left the project did the studio intervene with a script. In the end, McQueen and the team created a film for true motorsport enthusiasts — those who understand the beauty of a perfect racing line and know the value of every second on the track. It may not be the most accessible film for a general audience, but for racing fans, 'Le Mans' remains cult — like '2001: A Space Odyssey' for sci-fi lovers or 'Taxi Driver' for fans of Scorsese.

Each of these films answers in its own way the question: why do people risk their lives for a few seconds of glory? Apple TV+ with their 'Formula 1' has joined this tradition, proving that racing cinema can be both a spectacular blockbuster and a deep human story. And for us viewers, this means many more thrilling races await — both on screen and in reality.