MOVIE MONDAY | Why Are You Here? F1 The Movie

I love different sports, but one sport I am very unfamiliar with is Formula One Racing, or F1. However, after watching the 2025 film F1: The Movie, starring Brad Pitt, I have a whole new appreciation for it. 

The movie is fascinating, fast-paced, thrilling, and action-packed. The footage of actual racing is phenomenal, the sounds and music are exceptional, and the storyline is captivating. It was nominated four times at the Academy Awards, including "Best Picture," and won the Oscar for "Best Sound."

AppleTV describes the movie like this: "Racing legend Sonny Hayes is coaxed into leading a struggling Formula 1® team - and mentoring a young hotshot driver-while chasing one last chance at redemption."

Basically, Brad Pitt's character, Sonny Hayes, is convinced to return to F1 after 30 years since his last F1 race to help his former teammate, now the owner of a team that might not exist unless they turn their season around. 

Sonny was once a rising star in the sport before a bad crash sent him on a different path, eventually leading him to race in lower-profile situations. He still really loved racing and was intrigued enough to say yes to his friend and this seemingly impossible challenge in F1. 

The movie is a fun ride through the F1 season for Sonny and the APXGP race team as they face multiple surprises, unexpected successes, and scary crashes.

There are multiple positive thematic elements, lessons, and relationship transformations, but the one thread that jumps out to me throughout the whole movie is the recurring set of questions. They all center around the concept of motivation and purpose.

Early in the movie, before Sonny says yes to the opportunity his friend presents to him, he talks to his waitress about it. He tells her, "It's not about the money," and she asks, "So what is it about?" He says, "Hmm."

Then right before his first race, as he's sitting in his car, he asks himself, "What are you doing here, Sonny?"

Later on, Sonny sits down with the team's technical director, Kate McKenna, and in one scene she asks him, "Why did Sonny Hayes come back to F1?" 

He doesn't answer her at that point, but later in the movie, after she asks him again, "Why are you here, Sonny, huh?" he ends up describing his love for racing and the experience he has while racing - especially when he's really in the zone.

He acknowledges it isn't about titles, trophies, or records and says, "Didn't matter the car, the circuit, didn't need anyone to watch. Just as long as I was behind the wheel, I was good."

The question, "Why do you race?", is turned around and asked by Sonny during a scene with his teammate, Joshua Pearce, who replies, "Money…fame and free clothes."

However, later in the movie, after Sonny's influence finally clicks, Joshua realizes it isn't about all the other stuff or the media, sponsors, and fans, and tells his manager, "That's not why I'm doing it, right?"

In another scene, after Sonny gets into a wreck, his former teammate and current team owner, Ruben, asks him in the hospital, "Why do we do this?"

Then during the final scene after the F1 season is over, Sonny finds some random opportunity to race a car in the desert, and the dialogue goes like this:

Guy: "Have you ever driven Baja?

Sonny: "Nope."

Guy: "We can't pay much."

Sonny: "Not about the money."

Guy: "So what is it about?"

The movie ends with that question, and it's where I want us to start as we parallel this to our own lives as followers of Jesus. Every day, we all find ourselves busy with activities, jobs, and responsibilities.

Our lives are full, and we're always doing something. I wonder, though, why we are doing those things, what our lives are all about, and how often we stop to consider the similar questions raised in F1: The Movie?

"Why are we here?"

"Why do we do this?"

"So what is it about?"

"What are we doing here?"

Too often, we don't know the answers to those questions, forget the truth, or find ourselves just going through the motions, living without a true purpose and an understanding of what life is all about.

We must never forget that God created us for His purposes, has given us incredible gifts to use for His glory, has designed us in unique ways, and has called us to live according to His Word.

In Isaiah 43:7 (NIV), the Lord declares, "'Bring all who claim Me as their God, for I have made them for My glory. It was I who created them.'"

1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) states, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) explains, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago."

When we consider our lives and ask, "So what is it about?" let's be encouraged to make it all about the One who created us, saved us, redeemed us, and loves us. Let Him define our "why" and guide us each day.

We are here for God and to enjoy Him. We are here to know Him and make Him known. We are here to bring Him glory and honor as we serve Him and others. We are here to love God, love people, and make disciples.

In Ecclesiastes 12:13 (authored by King Solomon, according to most Bible scholars) after experiencing all the world has to offer the writer comes to this conclusion, "When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person" (AMP).

The problem is we forget why we are here, and we can easily make life all about what the world says, get caught up in the wrong motivations, and think we are here for "money, fame, and free clothes" or whatever else it might be.

We must ask as Paul does in Galatians 1:10 (ESV), "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Today, as we think about the questions from this movie and look to answer

"What are you doing here?", let's evaluate what we do each day and why we do it, and realize the wonderful reality that God has us here for His purposes.

So, let's cling to Jesus and, through His strength, live for Him and with Him as we remember what 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) tells us: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for making my life about the wrong things and getting caught up in misguided motivations. Thank you for creating me with purpose and allowing me to live a life that honors and glorifies You. Please help me to worship, obey, and serve You and others each day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.