While Brad Pitt’s new movie F1 isn’t based on a true story, there’s something about it that feels more real than many anticipated. In this film, Pitt plays a veteran driver who returns to the track after a long and painful retirement, and it has more connections to the real world than one might think.
In fact, a brutal accident that shocked an entire generation of Formula 1 fans inspired the backstory of Sonny Hayes, Pitt’s character. Though the plot of F1 is entirely fictional, director Joseph Kosinski made sure to stay as close as possible to the real world.
He filmed at actual race tracks, including the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, and incorporated details inspired by real-life drivers. One of the most striking aspects is the reference to Martin Donnelly’s crash in 1990, a moment that defined his life and, in many ways, influences the storyline of the movie.
The Plot of F1 and the Martin Donnelly Influence
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The film revolves around Sonny Hayes, a retired driver from the ’90s who once had the potential to become a legend. After a mysterious accident, he disappears from the racing scene, but years later, he’s given a second chance: to return to the track, mentor a young talent, and help rescue a struggling team. What initially seems like a typical sports comeback story takes a more intense turn as Hayes’s past is revealed—and that’s where Martin Donnelly enters the picture.
Donnelly was an Irish F1 rising star at the end of the ’80s, racing for the Lotus team, with his future looking promising. That is, until everything changed in a split second. During a qualifying session for the 1990 Spanish Grand Prix, Donnelly’s car failed.
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The Real Risks of F1: More Than Just Adrenaline
One of F1’s biggest achievements is that, while it is a fictional story, it doesn’t romanticize speed. The tension is ever-present, knowing that one mistake could cost you your life. It’s not just about adrenaline and trophies—it’s about fear, frustration, tough decisions, and, most of all, consequences.
Donnelly knew this all too well—he never raced in F1 again after his crash. And so does Hayes, Brad Pitt’s character, who is haunted by what he left behind. The film explores that duality: the desire for greatness and the burden of knowing that any moment could be your last. It does so without falling into drama, showcasing the human side of a sport that’s often seen only through the lens of excitement.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Nayely Aguilera in Cultura Colectiva.
