Is 'F1' the Next 'Top Gun: Maverick' — or Just a Polished Pit Stop? With an 85% Rotten Tomatoes Score, Critics Remain Divided

F1, starring Brad Pitt, is racing ahead with an impressive 85% freshness on Rotten Tomatoes based on 60 reviews. The film revs up adrenaline and delivers sleek visuals, but critics remain divided on its emotional impact.

Jake Coyle from the Associated Press praises F1 as "a fine-tuned machine of a movie," highlighting its "riveting racing scenes" that approach "high-speed splendor." Michael Ordoña of the San Francisco Chronicle adds that Pitt’s screen presence "has aged like a leather jacket, scuffed in all the right places and cooler than ever," giving the film a strong lead.

Empire Magazine’s Sophie Butcher applauds director Joseph Kosinski for blending "unparalleled access, pioneering filmmaking and moving redemption arcs" into an "exhilarating cinematic experience," leaving fans eager to see what Kosinski films next.

However, not all are convinced. Nicholas Barber from BBC.com calls F1 "a competently assembled collection of underdog sports-drama clichés," lacking genuine humanity. Clarisse Loughrey of the Independent criticizes the film as "spiritually bone-dry" and abrasive, especially compared to Kosinski’s own Top Gun: Maverick.

So, while F1 dazzles on the surface, some critics feel it falls short in emotional depth — but with Brad Pitt behind the wheel, it’s still a ride worth taking.