F1: The Movie, released recently, brought the thrilling world of Formula 1 racing to the big screen with a $144 million global opening weekend, combining exciting race footage and a star-studded cast featuring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, and supported by Lewis Hamilton as a producer, the film aimed to authentically portray the sport’s intensity, while introducing new characters to broaden its appeal, especially to women passionate about motorsport.
One character, Kate McKenna, portrayed by Kerry Condon, stands out as the sport’s first female technical director, marking a significant representation milestone. Though not the lead, McKenna’s presence in the film caught the attention of audiences eager to see women occupy high-level technical roles within Formula 1’s demanding environment.
Kate McKenna: From Groundbreaking Role to Dimmed Character Depth
Kerry Condon’s portrayal of Kate McKenna infused the character with intelligence, confidence, and a commanding presence, convincingly embodying a woman capable of leading technical operations on any Formula 1 pit wall. For many motorsport fans and professionals, McKenna represented a meaningful breakthrough, offering validation that women belong in complex, high-pressure roles in racing.
However, despite the initial promise, the script failed to fully realize her potential. Instead of focusing on McKenna’s strategic expertise, leadership skills, or technical decision-making, the character was relegated to the sidelines of the male lead’s emotional storyline, becoming primarily a love interest rather than a decisive figure in the racing team’s success.
This dramatic sidelining reduced what could have been a powerful representation of female leadership in motorsport to a supportive, secondary role, constraining McKenna’s character to the background of Sonny Hayes’ redemption arc. Fans and critics noted the absence of scenes depicting her leading strategy meetings, handling race-day pressures, or engaging in rivalries with competing teams, which would have better showcased her professional role.
Audience and Critical Response Reflect Mixed Feelings on Representation
Viewers and critics alike praised Kerry Condon’s layered and believable performance, acknowledging her ability to convincingly portray a top technical director. Yet many expressed disappointment in the film’s reliance on familiar gender stereotypes, where a competent female character is softened into a romantic subplot rather than empowered as a central figure.
The social media community became a space for robust discussion about the missed chance to portray women as authoritative motorsport professionals. One fan on a popular motorsport forum captured this sentiment clearly, stating,
“If the only reason F1 included a female race engineer was to manufacture a love interest, then it’s not progress, it’s regression.”
Comparisons were drawn to previous films such as Top Gun: Maverick, which faced similar critiques about limited roles for women despite their vital presence. Industry insiders have echoed calls for future films to deliver richer and more authentic female characters, reflecting the real-life influence women hold in motorsport today.
Significance of McKenna’s Portrayal and Future Directions for Motorsport Films
Introducing a female technical director character onscreen was a notable step, opening doors to greater inclusion in motorsport storytelling. However, to genuinely advance representation, future projects must move past surface-level inclusion and provide women with fully developed roles that capture their expertise, authority, and narrative importance.
Women working in or following motorsport deserve portrayals that embrace complexity and leadership rather than sidelining them to romantic or supportive functions. When representation lacks depth, it risks feeling hollow, reinforcing the notion that women are peripheral despite occupying critical positions.
F1: The Movie initiated conversation about women’s roles in Formula 1’s high-stakes, competitive world, but it also highlighted how far there is to go. Authentic, substantial portrayals of women as decision-makers and strategists are essential to changing outdated narratives, not just in motorsport films but across all media representations of women in technical fields.
As audiences continue to demand realistic and meaningful roles, filmmakers have an opportunity to reshape how women in motorsport are seen, celebrated, and acknowledged. This film may be just the beginning of a shift toward stories that do justice to the real women who lead on the track and behind the scenes.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is 17 banned in F1?
A. The number 17 is the only Formula 1 driver number that has been officially retired. This is to honor Jules Bianchi, a French driver. Bianchi was using number 17 when he experienced a tragic accident at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.
Q. Which F1 driver has ADHD?
A. Born in 1985, Lewis Hamilton is a British racing driver who competes in Formula One. He currently drives for Mercedes and has previously raced for McLaren. Hamilton openly talks about living with ADHD and shares his wide range of interests and passions.
Q. Why is number 17 banned in F1?
A. In 2015, the number 17 was retired in honor of Jules Bianchi. He passed away from injuries he got in a crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, where he used that number.
Q. Is number 69 allowed in F1?
A. Drivers can select a fixed number between 0 and 99, but not 1. Only the World Drivers’ Champion can use number 1 if they wish, but it’s optional.