F1: The Movie

Sonny Hayes, an aging American racing driver and former F1 prodigy, lives a nomadic lifestyle as a racer-for-hire. His career was cut short after severe injuries from a crash at the 1993 Spanish Grand Prix, leading him to become a gambling addict and experience multiple marriages failures. Despite this, he remains passionate about racing and seeks new opportunities.

Hayes wins the prestigious 24 Hours of Daytona, demonstrating his skill and resilience. This victory catches the attention of Ruben Cervantes, the owner of the APXGP F1 Team, who offers Hayes a test drive to fill their spare seat in F1. Cervantes reveals that the team's survival depends on winning one of the remaining Grands Prix.

Hayes tests the F1 car at Silverstone, where he meets the team principal Kaspar Smolinski, technical director Kate McKenna, and rookie Joshua Pearce. Despite struggling with modern F1 machinery, Hayes quickly identifies weaknesses and pushes the car to its limits, crashing during the session. Recognized for his skill, Smolinski signs him to the team.

Hayes races in his first Grand Prix for APXGP at Silverstone. A slow pit stop relegates the team to last place after a promising start. Haynes disobeys team orders to let Pearce pass, leading to a collision that strains their relationship. Their aggressive driving begins to shape the team's dynamic.

During the Hungarian Grand Prix, Hayes helps Pearce by intentionally crashing to cause safety cars, allowing Pearce to move up and earn the team's first points. Pearce adopts Hayes's old-school training methods, and Hayes designs upgrades to improve the car's combat capabilities. Hayes's tactics prove effective as Pearce scores points.

At the rain-affected Italian Grand Prix, Hayes encourages Pearce to stay out on slick tires, risking aquaplaning to gain a competitive advantage. Pearce advances to second place but ignores Hayes's advice on timing an overtake. He hits a curb at Curva Parabolica, crashes, and is injured in the fire, missing subsequent races.

Pearce returns at the Belgian Grand Prix, where his aggressive driving results in a collision with Hayes, ruining both their races. The incident sparks rivalry, but Pearce resolves to improve his discipline, influenced by Hayes's mentoring, for the remaining races.

Team member Kate McKenna arranges a high-stakes poker game with the promise of race favor if she wins. Pearce wins, but Hayes deliberately folds a winning hand, impressing McKenna, who then spends the night with him. Their relationship adds personal tension amidst racing ambitions.

Hayes is tempted to accept a promotion to team principal but chooses to race in the season finale. McKenna's upgrades are cleared by the FIA, giving the team a competitive edge. Pearce leads early but is overtaken, and Hayes faces a crash after a collision with Russell, putting his race in jeopardy.

In the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Pearce leads on worn tires but is overtaken, while Hayes, in fourth place, causes a collision with Russell, enabling both APXGP drivers to benefit from fresher tires. Hayes sacrifices his chance at victory by blocking Hamilton, ultimately allowing Pearce to inherit the win after a collision between Hamilton and Pearce, solidifying their success.

Hayes and Cervantes celebrate their victory on the podium, proclaiming 'we are the best in the world.' Pearce declines an offer to move to Mercedes, choosing loyalty to APXGP. Hayes begins a relationship with McKenna, and they celebrate their hard-won success before Hayes announces his retirement from F1.

Hayes retires from Formula One and returns to his nomadic lifestyle, seeking new challenges outside F1. He participates in the Baja 1000 for a small team, competing pro bono. When asked why he races, he responds with a simple smile, emphasizing his love for racing over monetary gain.