F1 movie wins Best Sound at 2026 BAFTA Film Awards

The Brad Pitt-starring F1 film has added another accolade to its collection, securing the Best Sound award at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards. This win follows the movie's massive commercial success, having grossed over $630 million globally since its release last summer, and confirms that a sequel is officially in development.

Why it matters:

The film's critical recognition, particularly in a technical category like sound design, validates its ambitious approach to authenticity. By filming at real Grand Prix events and using modified Formula 2 cars, the production blurred the lines between Hollywood spectacle and the genuine atmosphere of the sport, helping to bring Formula 1's intense sensory experience to a global mainstream audience.

The details:

• The film was nominated in three BAFTA categories: Best Sound, Best Special Visual Effects, and Best Editing, ultimately winning for its sound design.
• F1 features Pitt as veteran driver Sonny Hayes, who comes out of retirement to race for the struggling APXGP team alongside rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), with the plot centered on their mission to win a race within nine events to save the team.
• Unprecedented Access: A key factor in its realism was the production's integration into actual F1 race weekends during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, with Pitt and Idris driving the modified F2 cars on track.
• Star-Studded Grid: The movie features cameo appearances from numerous current F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, who also served as an executive producer, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, George Russell, Fernando Alonso, and Alex Albon.

What's next:

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has publicly confirmed that a sequel is now in active development, capitalizing on the first film's box office triumph. While specific plot details remain under wraps, the continuation of the APXGP team's story seems a likely focus, promising more high-speed drama that blends cinematic storytelling with the authentic backdrop of Formula 1.