The roar of the engines is moving from the grandstands to the Dolby Theatre. Following a massive summer at the box office, the Brad Pitt-led blockbuster F1 has officially secured four nominations for the 98th Academy Awards. Most notably, the high-stakes racing drama zoomed into the race for Best Picture, marking a rare crossover success for a sports film.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), the film tells the story of Sonny Hayes (Pitt), a veteran driver lured out of retirement to mentor a rising star, Joshua Pierce (Damson Idris), at a struggling F1 team. The film wasn’t just a hit with critics; it became a global phenomenon, grossing $631 million worldwide since its release on June 27, 2025.
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, the project was praised for its technical realism. Apple’s head of Worldwide Video, Jamie Erlicht, noted that the team delivered “the most authentic, visceral, and entertaining racing film ever made,” thanks to unprecedented access to actual Formula 1 circuits and teams.
At the same time, while F1 is riding high on momentum, it faces a crowded field of heavy hitters. Its competition for Best Picture include Sinners, the Oscars’ most-nominated film in history; One Battle After Another, the second-most nominated film at the 2026 Oscars; and Bugonia, directed by three-time Best Picture nominee Yorgos Lanthimos.
Movie fans and racing enthusiasts alike can tune in to see if F1 can cross the finish line first when the 98th Academy Awards air on Sunday, March 15, at 7 PM EST on ABC.
