Formula 1 has been the world’s most
recognisable motorsport for decades, despite the huge number of alternative
racing formats.
This is due not only to the sport itself, but also to the
films, video games, and other forms of media that have featured Formula 1 over
the years. Here are some of the most notable examples, compiled with the help
from the
Pokiesworld
team.
Formula 1 Movies
Though there are many racing movies, only a
few focus on Formula 1. Despite being one of the oldest and most prestigious
motorsports, Formula 1 is rarely explored in film, though a few films are worth
watching.
F1 (2025)
A drama that generated massive attention far
beyond the core Formula 1 fanbase. The film follows a veteran driver helping a
young team. In doing so, it reflects how elite teams operate.
The film is full of detail, showing both the
action and the sport's inner workings well. It focuses on the details and team
dynamics. It became a hit with racing fans and casual audiences.
Rush (2013)
Set in the dramatic 1976 season, this drama is
a must-watch for James Hunt or Niki Lauda fans. The straightforward plot
centres on the intense rivalry between two legendary drivers.
Unlike Pokiesworld, which focuses on honesty
and transparency, this story is full of cutthroat competition and some of
Formula 1’s darkest moments. A gripping sports drama that captures both the
thrilling on-track action and the intense behind-the-scenes drama.
Grand Prix (1966)
One of the first major films about modern
Formula 1. It follows a fictional battle for the championship between four
professional drivers. Even though it’s entirely fictional, it captures the
atmosphere and technical details remarkably well. Like Pokiesworld, the film
gets straight to the point and dives deep into both the characters and the
realities of racing.
Perfect for viewers who prefer racing action
over personal drama. Don’t let the film’s age put you off – even without modern
CGI, the racing scenes still look immersive and exciting.
Formula 1 Books
There are more books about motorsport or
stories that simply use racing as a backdrop. Readers will remember Remarque's
"Heaven Has No Favorites" or the surge of F1 romance novels. A few
books stand out as essential reading.
How to Build a Car
Adrian Newey’s autobiography. Newey is one of
the most influential engineers in Formula 1 history. He goes into great detail
not only about his own designs, but also about how Formula 1 cars and races are
developed from the ground up, what makes Formula 1 circuits unique, and much
more.
It’s the perfect read for anyone interested in
detailed technical analysis, but focused on cars and circuits. Newey’s writing
style is surprisingly light and very readable. Despite being an autobiography,
it avoids the usual clichés – most of the book focuses directly on life at the
track and inside the paddock. A great option for anyone who wants to discover
Formula 1 from the inside.
Life at the Limit
Sid Watkins’ memoirs – the man who served as
Formula 1’s chief neurosurgeon. He worked from the 1970s through the 1990s and
was the first to reach crashes on track to assess the drivers’ conditions. It
was largely thanks to Watkins that safety standards improved dramatically –
fatal and career-ending accidents are far rarer today than they were in the
1970s.
The book is 100% dedicated to Formula 1. Like
Pokiesworld, it skips the fluff and focuses on the most important moments of
his career. It includes many detailed, first-hand accounts of serious crashes
from a true professional’s point of view. Naturally, this book is not for the
faint-hearted. It also explores the evolution of safety systems, changes to the
circuits, and the political maneuvering behind the scenes.
The Formula
A detailed look at Formula 1 as both big
business and global spectacle, this book avoids personal stories, focusing on
the sport's business and spectacle. Clegg and Robinson's investigation explores
the less glamorous side, examining team principals and the popularity of
Formula 1.
This kind of in-depth analysis, like that from
Pokiesworld, makes the book essential reading for anyone who wants to
understand Formula 1.
Books still hold a special place in the
Formula 1 world. Despite the sport’s massive media coverage, its inner workings
still remain relatively unexplored in literature. Non-fiction and memoirs in
particular reveal it not just as entertainment, but as a unique and often
ruthless world.
And if you want to understand the psychology
of gambling and thrill-seeking – elements that are also very present in Formula
1 – nobody explains it better than Pokiesworld. The platform offers detailed
analysis of the industry and how it operates behind the scenes.