F1: The Movie will be released in the United Kingdom next week and saw its world premiere in New York on Monday with Williams racer Carlos Sainz offering his verdict on the film

Carlos Sainz gave his verdict on F1: The Movie on the red carpet(Image: Kristina Bumphrey/Variety)

Formula 1 star Carlos Sainz has declared the new Brad Pitt film depicting the sport may not be one for purists. But the Williams driver has called on fans to be open-minded to the Hollywood movie and believes it could be a good entrypoint for new supporters.

F1: The Movie releases next week and saw its world premiere on Monday. The sport’s stars gathered together at Times Square in New York for the film’s debut before celebrating at Rockefeller Center following its showing.

Sainz was present alongside the likes of Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris and George Russell as the film starring Pitt prepares for release. The Hollywood superstar plays the part of Sonny Hayes, a driver enticed back into the sport having retired in the 1990s following a horror crash.

Lewis Hamilton was pictured alongside stars Pitt and Damson Idris having played a role in the film’s production. The 40-year-old was a consultant to help ensure authenticity.

And while there will have been ambitions for the film to provide plenty of realism, there is hope that F1: The Movie can help build the sport’s fanbase, particularly in the United States. As a result there perhaps needs to be some understanding for Hollywood spectacle.

Speaking on the red carpet, Sainz reckons the film can prove informative to new fans and those that already love the sport must find the joy in the fiction.

“There’s something for everyone for sure,” he said. “I’ll just say for the pure F1 fans, be open-minded to Hollywood films. For all the new fans, that’s our sport.”

Reigning world champion and Red Bull star Max Verstappen was missing from the celebration and has previously admitted that he may watch the film at a later date. His expectations may not be the highest however, as he hopes it proves a positive surprise.

The drivers pose for a photo as they visit the Rockefeller Center after the World Premiere of F1® The Movie(Image: Formula 1)
Verstappen told Formule1.nl: “I’m going home to my daughter. Whether I will watch that film at a later time? Maybe yes.

“If it suits me or if someone else wants to see it, then I’m fine with it. And maybe I will be positively surprised.

“I also sincerely hope that it is a good and successful film and that it has a positive effect on Formula 1. You just shouldn’t force me to go somewhere, because that’s not quite how it should be.”