Brad Pitt’s Formula 1 movie, released in June 2025, has unexpectedly become a point of reference in discussions surrounding Manchester City’s financial fair play breaches. Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague drew a parallel between the film’s narrative and the Premier League club’s ongoing financial scrutiny.
Manchester City was found guilty by an independent commission of 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules. These infractions occurred between the 2009 and 2018 seasons.
The Premier League’s findings, released in September 2026, indicated that City disguised owner funding as sponsorship income, amounting to £830 million. The club also used misleading arrangements to understate expenses.
Furthermore, the commission concluded that Manchester City failed to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation. The club has since lodged a comprehensive appeal on October 1, 2026, maintaining its innocence.
The film, officially titled ‘F1’, stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a retired racing driver who returns to mentor rookie Joshua Pearce for the fictional APXGP team. Lewis Hamilton served as a producer and technical advisor for the project.
Filming for ‘F1’ took place extensively during actual Grand Prix weekends in 2023 and 2024, utilizing circuits such as Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, and Yas Marina. This approach aimed to achieve a high level of realism.
The movie’s reported budget ranged between $200 million and $300 million, positioning it as one of the most expensive films ever produced. It grossed over $630 million worldwide following its release.
Balague’s comparison suggested that Manchester City might have perceived their actions as exploiting a loophole, similar to scenarios depicted in the F1 movie or real-world Formula 1. However, he immediately clarified that the commission identified ‘sham agreements’ by City, distinguishing these from legitimate loopholes.
Some viewers of the ‘F1’ film have noted elements within the narrative that could be interpreted as characters bending rules or engaging in corporate maneuvering. One review highlighted instances of Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes, engaging in what was described as ‘cheating’.
The film also presented scenarios that diverged from actual F1 regulations, including the premise that Pitt’s character would not qualify for a super license under current rules.
UEFA is currently monitoring the Premier League’s disciplinary process regarding Manchester City. Potential sanctions for the club, if the appeal is unsuccessful, include fines, points deductions, transfer bans, or relegation.
