Few rock tracks are more iconic than Queen’s fist-pumping We Will Rock You. It’s a classic tune that everyone knows and will automatically sing along to when it gets played. When the song pops up in a movie, however, it’s not good cinema etiquette to start stomping your feet and waving your hands in the air, poised for the perfect time to clap.
The new release of the F1 The Movie film starring Brad Pitt is a breathtaking look at the world of elite motor racing. The movie naturally has a lot of intense, fast-paced action that has viewers on the edge of their seats and it’s accompanied by a foot-tapping, head-nodding soundtrack. That soundtrack features Queen’s classic anthem, but how does it fit into the movie?
F1 in Focus
F1 The Movie taps into the glam and global reach of Formula One—and may end up drawing in a few new fans along the way. Some viewers will come for Brad Pitt but leave curious about Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, or Lewis Hamilton. If you are a punter, after this film you might want to explore some of the F1 betting markets. And if you’re eyeing an online casino, you might want to claim one of the welcome bonuses to try out some F1-themed slots.
Also, the soundtrack really brings the energy of the F1 to life. A stadium anthem like “We Will Rock You” doesn’t just underline the intensity—it connects with everyone, from lifelong fans to newcomers.
The Importance of Soundtracks
The importance of soundtracks in films can’t be underestimated. They are much more than background noise; they are a rich, important aspect of storytelling that can help shape the emotional experience that viewers get.
A soundtrack can set the tone of a scene, really tapping into the mood to enhance what is happening on the screen. Think horror movies where doom-impending music helps to build up the anticipation, suspense, tension and intensity before a massive jump scare, all without a single word of dialogue being spoken.
In F1 The Movie, the soundtrack, which was composed by the Academy Award-winning icon Hans Zimmer, puts together a fittingly pulse-pounding list of songs that work perfectly for the pacing of the movie. As it’s a phenomenally dynamic film that puts viewers as close to F1 action as it possibly can, it needs those upbeat tunes to carry it.
Where Queen Rules F1 The Movie
Without giving spoilers, the songs in F1 The Movie typically feature during non-racing sequences. That’s because during the race action, the incredible, true-to-life sound effects of F1 cars tearing up the track take centre stage.
Such is the case with Queen’s “We Will Rock You”, which kicks in during the preparations for the British Grand Prix. It’s also during this part of the film that The Crown actor Tobias Menzies, who plays an APXGP board member called Peter Banning, is introduced.
Banning is intent on getting APXGP team owner Ruben Cervantes (played by Javier Bardem) to sell the team because it is struggling. APXGP is the team that Pitt and his rookie teammate Joshua Pearce (played by Damson Idris) drive for. This is a big moment for the plot, and the iconic song, one that would even get drivers with ice in their veins pumped up for action, comes in at the perfect time in the movie.
The usage of Queen’s stadium anthem fits perfectly. Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes, is the older, veteran driver, so the classic track works well in relating to the audience, seeing his character get prepped. It’s a nod towards his age, and it could also be interpreted as something that has stood the test of time.
“We Will Rock You” is a track that is also known and loved by youngsters as well, who weren’t even around to experience the glory of Queen in their heyday. So, from that perspective as well, the song is perfectly relevant to the race preparations of both drivers.
What Else is on the Soundtrack?
The overall soundtrack in F1 The Movie has this great blend of old and new artists, and that is most likely a deliberate nod to the competitiveness between the APXGP drivers and their age difference. That plot arc is essentially the new, upcoming talent versus the experienced veteran, which impacts all areas of their dynamics, from training to racing and personality clashes.
To highlight that, alongside Queen, there’s Led Zeppelin and Ratt, while tracks by Burna Boy and Don Toliver featuring Doja Cat and Ed Sheeran also feature.
