Liam Lawson shares “F1” movie theory in “Top Gun” comparison

Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson has shared his initial thoughts on the F1 movie, drawing a comparison to the blockbuster Top Gun.

The F1 movie is directed by Joseph Kosinski, who also directed the 2022 sequel to Top Gun – Top Gun: Maverick, starring Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Miles Teller, and Glen Powell. Kosinski worked closely with seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton, who served as executive producer, to ensure the movie is an authentic representation of the sport.

While speaking to Motorsport.com and other media ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, Lawson shared his thoughts on the movie, which he had seen the night before in a private screening along with the majority of the Formula 1 grid.

He compared the experience to fighter pilots watching Top Gun. He gave the following theory:

“You can always find holes and poke holes and things, but I think it’s a movie at the end of the day, and I think it’s the same if you’re watching Top Gun. I’m sure if you’re a fighter pilot and you’re watching a movie like that, you’re going to pick things in there that you might see differently.

“But, at the end of the day, I think the movie’s incredible, and I think that’s what most people are going to see when they watch this movie as well.”

When asked if he felt the movie had the staying power to become a classic motorsport movie, the New Zealander added:

“I think it’s going to be huge when it comes out. I think it honestly has the potential to be one of the biggest movies of the year, for sure.”

Lawson’s opinions have largely been echoed by several other F1 drivers. For example, Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg commented:

“Because we are in this bubble always, [we] tend to look for small mistakes. Well, look, it’s a movie, it’s Hollywood as well, right? So it’s more about taking a step back and seeing the broader picture.

“It’s not about the fine details that everything is accurate, but I think it’s still a new fresh perspective, telling the public what the teams or drivers do, what goes on, how much goes in, so it builds more of a picture again, I think. Some good actors in there too.”

F1 is scheduled for release globally on 25 June, 2025, and in the United States and Canada on 27 June.