Box office hit F1 Movie faces backlash over stereotypical female characters. The F1 movie is a box office success but faces criticism from women in the paddock.

After many months of filming across Formula 1 paddocks worldwide, accompanied by extensive advertising campaigns and marketing strategies, the movie F1 finally hit cinemas at the end of June. These are the last days to catch this American-style blockbuster, packed with thrilling action scenes, a star-studded cast, and a massive production budget. However, despite the spectacle, the film falls short when it comes to authentic racing portrayal.

The on-track behavior of the protagonist leaves much to be desired. He performs maneuvers that would normally result in immediate disqualification or a black flag from race control—actions that, within the film, go unpunished by the race officials but are clearly condemned by everyone else. Off the track, the character played by Brad Pitt magically saves a struggling team, despite being far removed from racing for years. In short, the film follows a classic American storyline where the hero triumphs through friendship and the villain is defeated, all set against the backdrop of motorsport.

Despite these flaws, the movie attracted a large audience and grossed over $500 million globally, comfortably surpassing its initial budget of approximately $300 million.

The Problematic Portrayal of Women
One of the film’s major shortcomings is its depiction of female characters. While there is no shortage of women on screen, their roles often feel forced and stereotypical. Starting with the most significant female character, Kate McKenna—the team’s technical director—a strong and competent woman who sacrificed her family to pursue her dream. Yet, she inexplicably falls for Sonny Hayes and ends up in his bed. This unnecessary romantic subplot adds nothing to the storyline but reinforces the stereotype that women in motorsport are primarily there “for the drivers.”

The theme repeats itself with another female character—a woman Joshua Pierce meets in a nightclub. She asks the driver to introduce her to Carlos Sainz, an innocent line that nonetheless perpetuates the idea that women follow motorsport mainly because of “the good-looking guys.”

For these reasons, during the Austrian Grand Prix, several female journalists made a point of interviewing only women working in the pit lane, speaking to mechanics and engineers who actively work on the cars. This simple yet powerful gesture served as a reminder that women in motorsport are serious professionals with real roles—roles that are not written by the pen of a man but earned through hard work and dedication.