F1 movie soundtrack wins prestigious AMPS award

The soundtrack for the upcoming F1 film has won the 2026 Award for Excellence in Sound for a Feature Film from the Association of Motion Picture Sound (AMPS). Composed by legendary musician Hans Zimmer, the score blends orchestral and electronic elements with the raw sounds of Formula 1 to create an immersive cinematic experience.

Why it matters:

Winning a peer-reviewed award from a prestigious body like AMPS before the film's release is a significant endorsement of its technical and artistic quality. It signals that the movie's audio design successfully translates the visceral intensity of F1 racing into a powerful narrative tool, potentially setting a new benchmark for how motorsport is portrayed in film.

The details:

• The award recognizes the collaborative work of the entire sound team, including re-recording mixers, sound designers, and editors.
• Composer Hans Zimmer was specifically praised for a score that integrates the roar of F1 engines with modern, emotional music.
• The soundtrack features original songs from major artists, including Ed Sheeran (Drive), Rosé (Messy), and Chris Stapleton (Bad As I Used To Be).
• Producer Jerry Bruckheimer emphasized the goal was to "put you in the car" with a blend of music and authentic racing sounds.
• AMPS chair George Foulgham highlighted the "meticulous and exhaustive production sound recording" and detailed sound design that creates an unforgettable sonic ride.

The big picture:

This early accolade builds considerable anticipation for the film, directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Brad Pitt. It validates the production's high-fidelity approach to capturing the sport's essence, suggesting the movie will offer more than just visual spectacle. A critically acclaimed soundscape could be crucial for attracting both cinephiles and motorsport purists, making the auditory experience as central to the film's identity as its A-list cast and real-world F1 integration.