The best F1 films and TV shows to watch during April

With Formula 1 taking a pause this April, fans will be itching to see cars back on track. But in the meantime there are plenty of F1-themed movies and TV shows for fans to get their motorsport fix on the silver screen.

From award-winning blockbusters and timeless movies to edge-of-your-seat dramas and fascinating docuseries, there are plenty of options to keep your evenings entertaining in front of the TV. Here is a list of some of the best...

Movies

F1 The Movie

We cannot talk about Formula 1 movies without talking about the BAFTA and Academy Award-winning F1 The Movie. Starring Brad Pitt as the charismatic Sonny Hayes and Damson Idris as the ambitious rookie Joshua Pearce, the movie follows APXGP, a struggling F1 team desperate for points.

Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton served as a producer on the film and it features many current F1 drivers, with filming taking place during 2023 and 2024 race weekends at circuits including Suzuka, Silverstone and Yas Marina Circuit. The McLaren Technology Centre even became APXGP’s headquarters during shooting.

The film is a masterpiece in cinematography, led by the award-winning Claudio Miranda, while the movie also won the Oscar for Best Sound in 2026. This is the perfect movie for anyone missing cars on track, guaranteed to scratch that racing itch.

Rush

The rivalry between Ferrari’s Niki Lauda and McLaren’s James Hunt is arguably one of the most memorable in F1 history. This year marked the 50th anniversary of that unforgettable season, immortalised in the 2013 film Rush.

Starring Daniel Brühl and Chris Hemsworth as the title protagonists Lauda and Hunt, the cult classic tells a story of risk, racing and rivalry – all captured in a very stylish 1970s aesthetic. If you are looking for a movie full of racing drama, tension, action and many moments of reflection, Rush is a fantastic option.

The Seat

Released on Netflix in 2025, The Seat is a documentary film telling the story of Kimi Antonelli, an inexperienced 18-year-old prodigy expected to fill the shoes of Mercedes legend Hamilton.

The film gives great insight into the realities of team and driver politics, including private negotiations between Team Principal Toto Wolff, Antonelli and engineers within the team. As the youngest championship leader in Formula 1 history, the Italian’s rise makes this an especially compelling watch, as we get a behind-the-scenes look into the intense preparation Antonelli faced. If you’re interested in learning more about the young superstar, this is the documentary for you.

Ferrari

Ferrari is one of the most recognisable names in motorsport, but there was a time when Enzo Ferrari faced financial ruin. In 1957, he risked everything by entering Scuderia Ferrari into the iconic Mille Miglia.

The 2023 film Ferrari, starring Adam Driver and Penélope Cruz, explores this pivotal moment, focusing on Ferrari’s struggle to transition from racing driver to entrepreneur, and ultimately how the manufacturer became the powerhouse we know and love today. If you are a proud member of the Tifosi, or just interested in F1 history, this biopic is the perfect choice.

Schumacher

Produced in cooperation with Michael Schumacher's family, this documentary film available on Netflix captures Schumacher’s rise in F1, and the dominance of Ferrari during the early 2000s.

The documentary uses never-before-seen footage, as well as interviews with some very familiar faces, including Sebastian Vettel and Flavio Briatore. This is an ideal documentary for those of you who want to know more about the seven-time World Champion.

McLaren

Covering the life of New Zealand racing driver Bruce McLaren and his efforts to establish a new F1 team, McLaren is a 2017 sports documentary film that also features former World Champions Emerson Fittipaldi and Mario Andretti.

Using archival footage, interviews and impressive recreations, the film walks us through how the New Zealander’s team and legacy persisted even after his early death, charting the journey from their inception in the late sixties to the many championships that followed. If you love all things papaya but aren’t aware of McLaren’s origins, this documentary is essential viewing.

Grand Prix

Before F1 The Movie, there was Grand Prix. Released in 1966, the Formula 1 drama is now a cult classic, following four fictional drivers through a dramatized version of the 1966 season. It features many famous drivers, including Jim Clark and Juan Manuel Fangio, and much like its modern counterpart, was filmed during real Grand Prix weekends.

The movie was well received at the time, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 1966, and even won three Academy Awards. If you’re feeling nostalgic this month, this critically acclaimed classic should do the trick.

Cars 2

A classic family film, Cars 2 may not be a pure racing movie, but there are plenty of nods to Formula 1. The first film briefly touches on F1 (look out for the voices of Andretti and Schumacher), but the sequel leans fully into it. Lightning McQueen’s arch-rival Francesco Bernoulli, an Italian race car competing in “Formula Racing”.

Several F1 figures also voice characters across different international dubs, including Fernando Alonso, Vettel and Juan Pablo Montoya.

Uppity: The Willy T Ribbs Story

If you have never heard of Willy T Ribbs, this is a documentary that pulls no punches. Ribbs is the first black man to ever drive an F1 car and the first African-American driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. The film does an incredible job of profiling a defiant driver who challenged racial barriers and rose to prominence against all odds.

TV Shows

Drive to Survive

There are few series that have changed the landscape of F1 like Drive to Survive. The binge-worthy series offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at life inside the pinnacle of motorsport, something that has rarely been seen before.

Since its launch in 2019, it has become a favourite among both die-hard and casual fans due to the unprecedented access it provides. From midfield battles, driver departures and contract negotiations, the docuseries has captured the demanding nature of an F1 season in real time. It’s even inspired similar style shows in golf, tennis and cycling!

If you are yet to watch the series, now is the time to grab some popcorn, settle in and start bingeing.

Senna

Senna is a 2024 Brazilian biographical drama miniseries on Netflix created in collaboration with Ayrton Senna’s family.

The show follows the three-time World Champion’s life, from his early karting days to his untimely death at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix – while also highlighting the legend’s personal relationships, famous rivalry with Alain Prost and complicated relationship with the media.

If you want to watch something that captures Senna's essence, not just as a driver, but as a cultural and sporting icon, this is a fantastic TV series.

F1: The Academy

If you are a fan of Drive to Survive but haven’t yet watched F1: The Academy on Netflix, now is your chance. The docuseries covers the lives of 15 young female racing drivers competing in the 2024 women’s-only racing series – F1 ACADEMY.

The series was produced by Reese Witherspoon's production company, Hello Sunshine, and shows the highs, the lows and the realities of being a woman in motorsport. Drivers grapple with media expectations, sponsorship and the pressure to succeed. If you want some context before you lock in on the 2026 season, this is a great introduction into the racing series.

Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story

A classic underdog story, Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story tells the remarkable tale of Brawn GP and their shock Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championship triumph. The series features the 2009 Champion Jenson Button alongside actor Keanu Reeves, who produces the show.

What sets the Disney documentary apart is the dynamic between Button and Reeves – there is a captivating focus on storytelling rather than just unpacking the racing. It’s adrenaline-fuelled, emotional at times, and ultimately a story about beating the odds.