F1 spends most of its runtime building one big question: is Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) a washed-up risk who got a second chance too late, or the kind of driver who can still deliver when it matters most? The film drops him into a struggling team, pits him against the politics of modern Formula One, and pairs him with a talented but volatile young teammate, all while making the “one win” goal feel almost impossible.
If you just finished the movie (or you’re about to), here’s a clear breakdown of the ending, what really happens in the final race, and what the last scenes suggest about Sonny’s future, including whether the story is being set up for a sequel.
Does Sonny Hayes Finally Win an F1 Race?
Yes, Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) finally wins a Formula One race, and it happens in the film’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which also secures APXGP’s future.
What Leads to the Final Showdown in Abu Dhabi
By the time the story reaches the last race, APXGP is still chasing the one thing team owner Rubén Cervantes (Javier Bardem) needs to keep the team from being sold: a win before the season ends. Sonny has helped stabilize the team and pushed rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) to mature as a driver, but the tension between them has been constant, part mentorship, part rivalry.
How Sonny Wins the Final Race
In the Abu Dhabi finale, Joshua is fighting at the front against top drivers, and Sonny is also in the mix. A late-race incident triggers a red flag, which becomes the turning point: APXGP can repair and reset for a short sprint to the finish.
On the restart, Sonny makes a crucial move — he gets past Charles Leclerc and then prioritizes the team result, effectively helping keep Lewis Hamilton behind long enough for Joshua to hold position. But on the final lap, Joshua and Hamilton collide, and the opening it creates allows Sonny to take P1 and win. It’s not framed like Sonny “steals” it; it’s framed like the season’s messy teamwork finally pays off in the one moment it has to.
What Happens to Joshua and APXGP After the Win
The win saves APXGP, and the ending also shows Joshua has grown up. He’s offered a seat by Mercedes, but he turns it down and stays loyal to the team that helped build him. Sonny, meanwhile, doesn’t hang around for a big victory-lap lifestyle change; he’s proud of what he finally achieved, but he’s still the same guy who’s addicted to the next drive.
Is There an End-Credits or Mid-Credits Scene?
There’s a mid-credits scene (not a big Marvel-style post-credits sequence). It shows Sonny lining up for the Baja 1000, making it clear he’s chasing the feeling of racing more than trophies — and it also leaves the door open for more story.
Is a Sequel Confirmed?
Not officially. But it’s also not just fan speculation.
Director Joseph Kosinski has said publicly (in multiple interviews across 2025) that they’re actively thinking about what a “next chapter” could look like for Sonny and APXGP, and outlets covering the production say sequel conversations have happened with Apple after the film’s success.
At the same time, executive producer Lewis Hamilton has cautioned against rushing a follow-up, basically saying: take the win, debrief properly, and only do it if the story is right.
So What’s the Real Ending Point?
The ending gives you closure on the main question — Sonny proves he can win in F1 — but it doesn’t “retire” him emotionally. The final beat is basically the film telling you: Sonny isn’t built for a quiet victory parade. He’s built for the next start line.
