What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedF1
Joseph Kosinski · Film · 2025
If you loved F1, start with Formula 1: Drive to Survive (James Gay-Rees, 2019) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 3 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to F1 across media.
If you loved F1, you were likely drawn to the visceral intersection of personal redemption and the high-stakes pressure of elite motorsport.
Books on the same thread
Driven
Susie Wolff · Book · 2026
Explores: Breaking Barriers, Career Ambition, Resilience.
Like the career-defining journey of Sonny Hayes in F1, this memoir captures the grit and resilience required to navigate the competitive, high-pressure world of professional racing.
Carrie Soto Is Back
Taylor Jenkins Reid · Book
Shares a thread with F1: Sports drama.
Much like the comeback narrative found in F1, this story explores the intensity of a seasoned athlete returning to the sport to secure a final, defining legacy.
The Boys in the Boat
Daniel James Brown · Book
Explores: Perseverance, Teamwork, Great Depression era.
If the team dynamics in F1 captured your attention, you will appreciate how this narrative focuses on the profound dedication and synchronization required to achieve collective victory.
The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel
Garth Stein · Book · 2010
Explores: Loyalty, The human-animal bond, Family.
This novel mirrors the emotional core of F1 by highlighting the deep, unwavering bond between a man and his aspirations, viewed through a lens of loyalty and perseverance.
Series on the same thread
Formula 1: Drive to Survive
James Gay-Rees · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with F1: Team Dynamics.
This series provides the real-world context for the high-stakes performance seen in F1, illustrating the personal sacrifices and team politics that drive every race weekend.
Senna
Vicente Amorim · Series · 2024
Shares 2 threads with F1: Sports Drama, Motorsports.
For those captivated by the legendary status of drivers in F1, this biographical drama offers an essential look at the tragedy and triumph that define racing history.
Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story
Series · 2023
Shares a thread with F1: Underdog Story.
This documentary echoes the underdog story of F1, detailing the strategic innovation and sheer willpower necessary for a struggling team to defy the odds and reach glory.
Podcasts on the same thread
F1: Chequered Flag
BBC Radio 5 Live · Podcast
Explores: Formula 1 racing, motorsport news, race analysis.
Keep the energy of F1 going by listening to these expert reports and interviews, which break down the same technical and human drama featured in the film.
Formula For Success
Podcast
Explores: Formula 1, motor racing, business strategy.
These conversations offer a deeper look at the business and strategy behind the racing world, expanding on the professional complexities that Sonny Hayes navigates in F1.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is F1 based on a true story?
The movie F1 is a fictional story about a retired racing legend named Sonny Hayes who returns to the track to mentor a young driver. While it centers on the high-stakes world of Formula 1, it is not a biographical account of any specific real-world driver.
What is the main plot of F1?
In F1, a retired racing legend named Sonny Hayes is coaxed out of retirement to lead a struggling Formula 1 team. He is tasked with mentoring a young hotshot driver while competing for one final chance at glory on the professional racing circuit.
Who does Sonny Hayes mentor in F1?
In F1, Sonny Hayes mentors a young, talented hotshot driver. The narrative focuses on the dynamic between the veteran racer and his protégé as they work together to improve the performance of a struggling Formula 1 team and chase championship success.
Does Sonny Hayes win in F1?
The story of F1 follows Sonny Hayes as he comes out of retirement to pursue one final chance at glory. Whether he achieves his ultimate goal of winning is revealed as he navigates the challenges of leading a struggling team and mentoring his young teammate.