Lewis Hamilton forced into Hollywood decision as F1 film wins Oscar | F1 | Sport

Lewis Hamilton’s ‘F1: The Movie’ secured an Academy Award for Best Sound at the Oscars on Sunday night, though the co-producer was absent from the ceremony due to competing at the Chinese Grand Prix earlier in the day. The British driver claimed his maiden podium in Ferrari red in Shanghai, finishing behind Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.

The film received four nominations at the ceremony, including Best Picture and Visual Effects. In addition to co-producing the box office sensation, Hamilton featured in a cameo role alongside stars Brad Pitt and Damson Idris.

Since its release in June 2025, it has become the highest-grossing sports film with worldwide takings exceeding €630million (£545m). After securing a Grammy last month with Chris Stapleton’s ‘Bad As I Used To Be’ song and winning a BAFTA for Best Sound, the film collected another accolade over the weekend.

Whilst F1 missed out in the Best Picture, Best Film Editing and Best Visual Effects categories, it did triumph in Best Sound. Upon receiving the award, members of the cast and crew ensured they acknowledged Hamilton during their acceptance speech.

It’s been reported that Hamilton had examined ‘every way’ to attempt to attend the ceremony, but the schedule proved too challenging. With Shanghai being a 12-and-a-half-hour flight from Los Angeles, it was impossible for him to arrive in time.

Earlier in the week, he said: “I’ll FaceTime with Joe [Kosinski, director] and Jerry [Bruckheimer, lead producer] when they’re there, which will be cool.

“I’m incredibly proud, and I never ever thought in a million years that that would be the outcome of the work that we’re doing over the past years.

“It’s amazing to see. I don’t know if it’s the sport, but to see how much promotion there is around the world, to see the buzz, to see new people getting excited for the sport, in the way that so many of us were growing up.

“It’s really great to see that that is expanding. And on top of that, I’m still here, still to be a part of it and witness it.”

Hamilton’s third-place finish propels him to fourth place overall in the standings. He will next take to the track in the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, 29 March.