Latest news with #F1
Geek Tyrant
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Geek Tyrant
Review: F1 Delivers an Adrenaline Rush of Pure Summer Movie Awesomeness — GeekTyrant
Joseph Kosinski's F1 might be the loudest, fastest, and most relentlessly entertaining movie of 2025 so far. This is classic Hollywood craftsmanship firing on all cylinders. It's character-driven, visually jaw-dropping, and bursting with that full-throttle energy that only a packed theater can amplify. At nearly three hours long, F1 barely lets off the gas, and I mean that in the best way possible. From the first rev of the engine, Kosinski makes it clear… this is a film meant to be felt, not just watched. At the heart of the story is Brad Pitt's Sonny Hayes, a fallen star of the '90s Formula One scene who's coaxed back to the big leagues for one last shot. Pitt brings a believable weight to Sonny, a guy haunted by what could've been, but still holding onto that old spark. Javier Bardem plays the desperate but driven team owner Ruben, while Damson Idris shines as Joshua Pearce, the talented rookie with something to prove. You've seen this dynamic before of the mentor, the upstart, the ticking clock, but it works. The actors elevate it. The writing keeps it sharp, and there's great chemistry. The real hook here is the racing, and F1 absolutely delivers. Kosinski is such a talented technical director and uses upgraded tech from Top Gun: Maverick to slam viewers into the cockpit of these race cars and onto the track. You experience every jolt, every hairpin turn, every millimeter between wheels. There are moments where the camera lingers just long enough on a tire brushing up against another tire, or the cars twitching ever so slightly, and it's incredibly trilling and intense. It's that attention to detail that makes F1 feel next-level. Even if you don't know a thing about Formula One, and trust me, I went in pretty clueless, the movie walks the line perfectly between spectacle and clarity. It doesn't lecture, but it gives you just enough to understand how the sport works. Rules, strategy, rivalry, risk… it's all there, baked into the story in a way that doesn't slow anything down. You're learning while white-knuckling the armrest, and that's a rare trick to pull off. Story-wise, this is a greatest-hits playlist of sports movie tropes, but it plays the hits hard and with style. Redemption, ego, mentorship, betrayal. It's not reinventing the wheel, but it doesn't need to. What it does do is deliver those emotional beats with sincerity and momentum. You care about these people. You care about who wins. And you care about how far Sonny's willing to go to get that last taste of glory. The supporting cast is excellent across the board. Kerry Condon especially stands out, offering a grounded presence in a movie that often feels like it might burst into flames from sheer velocity. There's also a nice streak of humor and warmth that keeps the characters from getting swallowed by the technical spectacle. Kosinski balances tone beautifully here. Yes, it's sleek and stylized, but it also remembers to be human. F1 is more than just a great racing movie, it's a full-body experience. It's popcorn cinema done right… loud, emotional, immersive, and totally satisfying. If Top Gun: Maverick was your jam, this one's for you. Whether you're a Formula One fanatic or you've barely watched a lap in your life, you'll walk out of this one with your heart pounding and a dumb grin on your face.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Lando Norris has completely lost his mojo – McLaren F1 star needs quick fix to downward spiral
On the McLaren pit wall, situated at the end of the home straight in Montreal, they'd have literally felt the shudders and vibrations. The moment their two drivers and championship contenders collided and the moment the ill-titled 'papaya rules' first creaked, in a manner only a crash at 200mph can do. The post-mortem was actually very prompt and concise. Oscar Piastri, to the relief of the entire team, was unimpacted. He finished fourth, to conclude a damage limitation weekend. Team principal Andrea Stella put the incident simply down to a 'miscalculation'. And Lando Norris, in a matter of seconds, took full blame for driving up the back of his teammate, cutting short his race and costing him 10 points in the title fight. Advertisement To an extent, Norris should be applauded for how rapidly he took full accountability for a crash he labelled as 'stupid'. The Briton was in the wrong, eyeing a non-existent gap down the inside, with a collision unavoidable. He immediately apologised to Piastri in the media pen. The antithesis of Max Verstappen, there was no intra-team feud to see here. All is well. Norris walks away from his stricken McLaren in Montreal (Getty) Except, all is not well. With Norris, in particular. Why? Well, the Bristolian has completely lost his mojo. If this were an isolated incident, it'd be easier to move on. But the 25-year-old has, with two anomalies, endured a torrid first three months of the season. A season in which he started out as the favourite, armed with the fastest car. And if he can't find an antidote quickly, a maiden world title looks set to run away from him, both on the track and on the leaderboard. Advertisement The mistakes have been plentiful. Errors on his final laps in Q3, the top-10 grid-setting phase of qualifying, have been an all too common occurrence, costing him pole positions in China, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. He inexplicably crashed out in Jeddah, forcing a recovery drive the next day from 10th to fourth. His form, bar Monaco, did not improve as F1 returned to Europe. The Q3 errors continued in Imola and Barcelona, putting him on the back foot while Piastri enjoyed clean air and dominated out in front. Canada also showed the continuation of a worrying trend. Norris was quickest in the final practice session and, with Piastri struggling around the unique street circuit, pole seemed well within his grasp. Yet while the Mercedes of George Russell put together a perfect lap, Norris faltered twice: missing the final chicane on his first lap and clipping the wall on his second attempt. You have to wonder how the finale to his first title voyage last year – up against the unrufflable force of Verstappen – has affected him. The drivers' championship was well within reach in 2024, as McLaren stormed to the front of the pack. Last year, however, it was a weakness at the start which curtailed his challenge. From eight pole positions last year, Norris failed to lead after the first lap in seven of them. Advertisement It's not rocket science. You cannot win an F1 world championship with such glaringly crushing statistics. But more distressingly this year is the way in which Norris's endearing and cheeky persona seems to have departed. The driver a whole fanbase fell in love with, with his genuinely amusing Drive to Survive snippets, has been replaced with a driver whose continual knack of self-deprecating quotes is somewhat excruciating to listen to. Post-qualifying in Canada, it was 'I just made too many mistakes', while on Sunday it was even more stark. 'When I let them [McLaren] down like this and make a fool of myself like I did today, I have a lot of regret,' he said. Advertisement 'I'm not proud of myself, I feel bad, so apologies to all of them... I've let down the team and that's going to stay with me for a little while.' Even in customary press sessions with the media – granted, the drivers do a lot of them – Norris seems increasingly unengaged. A man going through the motions, his eyes often wander to the golf on the screens in the McLaren motorhome. Even with weekly interviewer Rachel Brookes for Sky Sports, Norris can barely raise a smile at the moment. This is not the charming, affable man we all know. Norris has endured a difficult first three months of the 2025 season (Getty) Oscar Piastri (left) now leads Norris by 22 points at the top of the world championship (PA) Nico Rosberg, brilliant again on punditry duties for Sky with his knowledge and eye for detail, believes it is time Norris employed a mental coach. Advertisement 'He [Lando] needs to work on the mental side', 2016 world champion Rosberg said at the last race in Spain. 'We all work hours and hours training our bodies… does he work with a psychologist or not? He definitely should because there's so much value in that.' This is not a new area of expertise in professional sports. The likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Steven Gerrard and Chris Hoy have worked with well-respected sports psychologist Dr Steve Peters. Even Rosberg himself, amid the heightened tension of his intra-team title battle with Lewis Hamilton in 2016, used a mental coach. Rosberg has even sent a message to Norris on Instagram with the suggestion. No reply was forthcoming. 'I worked with one, just to understand the best possible approach,' Rosberg added. 'I did two hours every two days leading up to the season. It was more difficult than the physical training, it was insanely difficult and extremely valuable.' 2016 F1 world champion Nico Rosberg believes Norris should employ a mental coach (Getty) Rosberg also went into further detail in Montreal regarding Norris's continuous self-deprecatory manner. 'If you say every day 'I'm not good enough', at some point you'll believe it,' he said. Advertisement 'I would strongly recommend he reduces that [negative comments], not always the negative.' Of course, none of us know the full detail of what is happening behind closed doors and in between the ears. It should be stated that there have been flashes of Norris's brilliance behind the wheel this year: those two anomalies coming at the season-opener in Australia and around the streets of Monaco. Two sumptuous pole positions were converted supremely to two victories. The talent and skill are still present. And it's also worth mentioning that the situation is not yet disastrous. The gap at the top is only 22 points. If Norris wins the next race in Austria and Piastri is forced to retire, the Briton would be back on top. Plenty can change and swing over the next 14 races and six months, including Norris's form and temperament. But at the moment, his downward spiral is alarming. Aussie rival Piastri has received plaudits for his coolness and composure under pressure. Across the garage, Norris is struggling to cope with the strain and stress of 'his year'. McLaren CEO Zak Brown is the Briton's biggest backer, and perhaps he can conjure a remedy. Because, right now, a quick fix is required to bring him back into contention.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Austrian Grand Prix prediction & F1 betting tips: Bounce-back performance from Norris
Lando Norris is being tipped to perform after a poor show in Canada (The Canadian Press) Austrian Grand Prix betting tips Lando Norris to win - 9/4 Unibet George Russell to finish on the podium - 11/8 William Hill F1 is back in Europe this weekend, with the first race of this stretch taking place in Austria, through the picturesque Styrian mountains. Oscar Piastri goes into the race with 22-point lead in the Drivers' Championship over his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris and 43 ahead of current world champion Max Verstappen. Advertisement Verstappen has a great record at Red Bull's home race, winning five times at the Red Bull Ring, but some betting sites price him at 7/2 to add to his tally as they anticipate a weekend dominated by McLaren. Austrian Grand Prix betting preview: Norris back on top Round 10 was one to forget for Norris, whose mistake during the closing stage of the race in Canada left him admitting he had 'made a fool' of himself. With the McLarens travelling in fourth and fifth with three laps to go, Norris collided with his team mate, and although Piastri was able to continue without any damage, Norris broke his suspension, costing him 10 precious championship points. Advertisement After finishing second to Verstappen in the 2024 Drivers' Championship, Norris is once more in danger of having to the bridesmaid once more behind the more consistent Piastri, who is odds-on for the title on betting apps. Norris has has finished second in three of his last five races, twice to Piastri and once to Verstappen. The 25-year-old also won in Monaco, which was his second victory of the season and first since the season opener in Australia. F1 betting sites are offering 9/4 on him winning in Spielberg, just behind his McLaren teammate, who is the favourite at 13/8. The Red Bull Ring is a tracxk Norris knows well having achieved his first ever podium finish in Austria back in 2020, finishing third behind Valtteri Bottas and Charles Leclerc, while the Brit also clocked the fastest lap time that day. Advertisement He also finished third the following season, behind the winner Verstappen and second placed Bottas and may be capable of delivering the perfect response to his Canada accident. Austrian Grand Prix prediction 1: - Lando Norris to win 9/4 Unibet Austria Grand Prix tips: Russell looking for an Austria repeat Mercedes driver George Russell was victorious last time out at the Canadian Grand Prix, taking the chequered flag ahead of Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli after a controlled drive. The Brit is another driver who has happy memories of this tracck having won last year's race in Austria when he took advantage of Verstappen and Norris colliding while contesting the lead. Advertisement Betting sites are offering 8/1 on him winning at the Red Bull Ring, or you can get F1 odds of 11/8 on him finishing on the podium for the sixth time this season. Austrian Grand Prix prediction 2: George Russell to finish on the podium - 11/8 William Hill Please gamble responsibly When using gambling sites be aware that sports betting can be addictive. Please take steps to remain in control of your time and budget. The same applies whether you're using new betting sites, slot sites, casino sites, casino apps, or any other gambling medium. Even the most knowledgeable punter can lose a bet, so always stick to a budget and never chase your losses. Advertisement It's particularly important not to get carried away by any free bets or casino offers you might receive, both of which are available in abundance on gambling sites, but must be approached with caution. You can stay in control by making use of the responsible gambling tools offered, such as deposit limits, loss limits, self-exclusion and time-outs. You may also want to visit the following free organisations to discuss any issues with gambling you might be having: We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Refinery29
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
F1's Damson Idris Just Wants To Make His Black Women Fans Proud
Damson Idris is racing straight to becoming a household Hollywood name. But no matter where his career takes him next, we can say that we saw him first. The 'we' is Black women, of course, who dubbed the British-Nigerian actor as a certified Internet Boyfriend long before his starring turn in this summer's first big blockbuster. After captivating audiences as Franklin Saint in Snowfall, Idris is shifting gears — literally — into high-octane territory with his leading role in F1, the Formula 1 racing film from director Joseph Kosinski and producer/ star Brad Pitt. Whether he's embodying a South Central kingpin or donning a racing suit opposite Hollywood heavyweights, Idris brings depth, precision, and a quiet confidence that continues to set him apart. And as Unbothered's very own Christa Eduafo found out when she sat down with him recently in New York City, the actor is well aware that his Black female fanbase bet big on Damson Idris stock early. 'I can't wait for them to go on this journey with me throughout my career,' Idris said with a smile. Here, Idris opens up about the evolution of his career, his mother's influence as both an anchor and a humbling presence (African moms stay on brand), and the unwavering support he receives from the fans who've been riding with him since day one. He also teases his upcoming role in Children of Blood and Bone, the hotly anticipated fantasy epic based on Tomi Adeyemi's bestselling novel. Between blockbuster projects and staying rooted in purpose, Idris is proving he's not just a rising star, he's shaping the future of Black storytelling, barrelling full speed towards superstardom — and we're riding shotgun. Unbothered: You're starring in what's going to be the blockbuster of the summer. Walk me through when you found out you were going to be in F1. Was it shock? Was it readiness? How did that feel? Damson Idris: Man, I was in Turks and Caicos. So I was on vacation, I was looking at the sunset, and then I got a phone call: 'Hey, do you want to be a Formula 1 driver?' And I lost my mind. I just screamed to the heavens. This is a part that I prayed for. I dreamed of this, so being able to accomplish it, and to be at this place today where I believe we made a brilliant movie, is a dream come true. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Unbothered (@r29unbothered) You mentioned prayer. You've said that you manifested this role. In a previous interview, you said you downloaded the Formula One game and named your player, Joshua Pierce, which is the name of your character in the film. So do you manifest often? DI: 100%. I understand how powerful we are as beings and with the characters that I play, I do believe that what's mine is mine. So it's really a feeling that I tend to chase. With Snowfall, I really wanted to work in the States and I loved those kinds of gangster movies, like Goodfellas, American Gangster and the like. And then with this movie, I really wanted to play an athlete because of my football background. But I was also ready and prepared for a movie that I believe was going to reach every corner of the world. So when this opportunity came, I knew it was mine and I wanted to do a really good job. So hopefully I made everyone proud. You were amazing in the film. I'm a big manifestation person as well, and it's just about knowing, just being certain, and that's really it. So between Joshua Pierce and Snowfall's Franklin, you play characters that have a lot of aura to them. So I was wondering, would you say you have aura? DI: I just learned what aura is the other day. Do I have aura? I don't know. No, I'm the worst person to ask. I'll never admit that I have aura. I'll never admit it, but I don't know. Alright, yeah, I got a little, tiny, little sprinkle of aura [laughs]. ' [My mum] is my biggest fan. When the movie comes out, the opinion that's gonna matter most to me is hers. damson idris ' You said recently that you're most excited for your mom to see this film, and that she would call to check on your safety when you were on set. What were those calls like? DI: Just her screaming in Yoruba, 'you better be safe!' She's my biggest fan. So when the movie comes out, you know, the opinion that's gonna matter most to me is hers. Your character in the film, Joshua, has such a beautifully close relationship with his mother. And I know you mention all the time that you have one with your own. So I was wondering, how does your mom keep you grounded as your star is rising? DI: I call her all the time. Every day I call her. On this career [journey] that I'm on, you know, you spend so much time in the back of a car alone, alone in a hotel room, you know, alone on a plane, so to have someone that I can call that just constantly reminds me of where I came from is so important to me. And my mom is that person. That's so valuable to have. I'm Ghanaian, so African parents can be our biggest cheerleaders, but they can also humble us lovingly. So I was wondering if you have an example of a time that your mom lovingly brought you back down to earth. DI: Oh my gosh, when I first started acting, working in a theater is this revered thing in the UK. So I would be doing plays, and my mom would come and watch the plays, and she'd be like, 'yes, theater is okay, but when are you going to be on EastEnders or Hollyoaks? Because my mom loves soaps. So in my head, funny enough, through that was how I said to myself, Man, I need to be on a screen. So, yeah, I guess my mom was a huge motivator for that. She was underwhelmed by my theater parts. ' I'm grateful that [Black women] support my work. I can't wait for them to go on this journey with me throughout my career. I always want to make Black women proud. damson idris ' You have a lot of Black female fans. You're a little bit of a heartthrob. What has that attention been like? Is that a new experience, something you pay attention to or is it just kind of background noise? DI: I don't pay attention to it but I'm grateful that they support my work and that they support my aura. I can't wait for them to go on this journey with me throughout my career. You know, I always want to make Black women proud. I was raised by one. Can you give a little message to your Black women fans? DI: To my gorgeous Black women out there who are supporting me, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I can't wait for you to watch F1. I promise you, Joshua has aura [laughs]. ' You know exactly how we felt when we walked out of Black Panther? That's how we're going to feel with [ Children of Blood and Bone ]. We put everything into it. damson idris ' Children of Blood and Bone is next for you. It just wrapped. That was a stacked cast. You worked with a lot of members of the diaspora there. What was the most exciting part about being a part of that film? DI: So many of them are my friends that I've known for so long. In passing on this journey, we always say the same thing to each other: 'When are we going to work with each other?' So I tip my hat to Paramount and Gina Prince-Bythewood for assembling a juggernaut of a cast. We spent six months in Cape Town filming and we just wrapped. Every day, a new heavyweight would come in and just prove why they exist. You know, from Idris to Viola to Chiwetel to Regina to Cynthia. I could just say their first names and you know what time it is. But also just watching a lot of us, younger actors, find our way and own our power too. Tosin Cole and Amandla Stenberg, and Thuso Mbedu, our lead, who I just think is such a beautiful actress. I can't wait for her career to blossom too. So, I just feel really blessed. Lashana Lynch, Zackary Momoh, there was a so much great energy on set. You know exactly how we felt when we walked out of Black Panther? That's how we're going to feel with this picture. We put everything into it. We showed so much respect to Africa, and we showed so much respect to the story too.
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Guardian
Toto Wolff confirms Mercedes are again considering swoop for Max Verstappen
Toto Wolff has confirmed Mercedes are once more considering a move to tempt the four-time world champion Max Verstappen, with a place potentially available at the team from next season as George Russell has yet to have his contract renewed for 2026. Russell had revealed on Thursday that Mercedes were interested in Verstappen, stating: 'It's only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing.' Wolff was then faced with a barrage of questions on the subject when the Mercedes team principal addressed the press at the Austrian Grand Prix and ultimately acknowledged that the team were indeed investigating options with the Dutch driver and suggested that talks were taking place. 'As a team principal responsible for the best car brand in the world it is clear you're exploring what a four-time world champion is going to do in the future,' he said. Verstappen is contracted with Red Bull until 2028 but is understood to have performance-related exit options available to him if he is outside the top four by the summer break that falls after the Hungarian Grand Prix. He is currently third. Wolff was open in his previous pursuit of Verstappen until the middle of last season when the Dutch driver committed to staying at Red Bull and Mercedes signed Kimi Antonelli on a multiyear deal. In Austria, Wolff insisted he did not want to hide any negotiations from his drivers. 'What we are trying to do in the team is be transparent,' he said. 'You can choose to hold things under wraps, or do what we've done in the last 20 years I've been here is putting it out there and saying this is the situation. These drivers are clever people and they talk to each other. 'I'm saying it how it is and there's no such thing as saying we are going to sign Max, because it's so far away that it's not realistic at that stage. So with George, we talk about everything.' Verstappen did not deny talks were taking place when asked. 'I don't think we need to talk about that,' he said. 'I don't know, do you want me to repeat what I said last year? I don't know. It's the same answer.' Last year when faced with the same questions at this race, Verstappen emphatically confirmed he would remain at Red Bull. His team have brought upgrades to the Red Bull Ring, hopeful they might improve his fortunes, but it was Russell who was quickest in first practice in Spielberg, while McLaren's Lando Norris, also boasting upgrades, topped the time sheets in the second session in what is something of a big weekend for the British driver. Intensely self-critical, Norris will have subjected himself to no little soul-searching in the two weeks since he climbed disconsolately from his stricken car at the Canadian Grand Prix after hitting his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion The clash was considered inevitable at some point between the two drivers vying for the world championship but its implications have far more import for Norris. The Briton was attempting to pass Piastri in Montreal, clipped the Australian's car and clattered off into the pit wall, his race over. He held his hands up immediately, his contrition clear even, as McLaren had already all but acknowledged it was a matter of when not if the two finally came together, given the team's stance on allowing their drivers to race one another. Yet for McLaren there has been no panic and certainly no sudden imposition of restrictions curtailing their drivers' freedom to compete. Having dealt with it, it is business as usual. For Norris, however, it represents a bruising reminder of quite what is at stake and the intensifying pressure on him to deliver if he is to retain his world championship ambitions. With 10 races gone he trails Piastri by 22 points and while it is far from an insurmountable gap with 14 meetings to go, of more concern is that the form is overwhelmingly with the Australian. Norris had begun as favourite and had taken victory in the season opener in Australia, where Piastri made his only major mistake thus far, spinning off in sudden, treacherous rain in Melbourne. Since when and until Canada, the Australian enjoyed a run of eight consecutive top-three finishes including five wins. Norris's performances in contrast have been peppered with minor errors and some more costly, including Canada and crashing out of qualifying in Saudi Arabia. 'Lando himself will have to show his character to overcome this kind of episode,' said the team principal, Andrea Stella, and Austria is a chance for Norris to reset and reassert at a key moment for the 25-year-old.
