5 Best F1 Movies to watch for a die hard fan

#1 - Grand Prix

Grand Prix was the film of the 1966 Formula 1 season, using footage filmed during real races.

The undisputed king of Formula 1 films is appropriately named Grand Prix, it's also one of, if not the best sports films of them all. Using ground-breaking filming techniques, (including onboard shots that we take for granted now) John Frankenheimer brings the glitz and the glamour of 1960's motorsport to life in this masterpiece of cinema.

The film follows the stories of four fictional F1 drivers in their pursuit of that year's driver's championship and features cameo appearances from a number of the real drivers of the day, including Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt, Jack Brabham and Phil Hill. The drama in the drivers' personal lives adds another dimension to the story, but the main attraction is the racing action.

As this film was produced during the 1960's, there is no CGI throughout its run-time, meaning that practical effects is what was used to craft every shot. Honestly, because of this, the film has aged like a fine wine, being more engrossing now than perhaps ever before. The V6-turbo hybrid engines of today's Formula 1 are hugely impressive, but they lack the raw sound that was present in F1 in previous decades. No matter how many times you watch it, seeing these 1960's machines roar through Monaco will always make your hair stand on end.

The editing and sound still stand up today as well, it's thrilling from start to finish. In fact, it won the Academy Awards for best sound, editing and sound effects. The film even deals with what was then an ever-present issue in the sport, the danger. At 3 hours long, it's a film that may put off the casual F1 viewer, but it's something that is a must-see in every sense of the word!

But what do you think is the best Formula 1 film ever? Is it Grand Prix or does another stand out to you more? Let us know in the comments below!