Formula 1: switching gears on masculinity

For decades, depictions of motorsport in film and television have been all about speed, spectacle and stoic heroes – engines roaring and egos clashing. But Netflix’s Drive to Survive added a whole new dimension to the way we perceive the sport, putting drivers’ vulnerabilities, fears and personal lives in the spotlight.

With F1 The Movie released today and an even greater spotlight on this hypermasculine world, we sat down with Dr Garth Stahl, an equity, inclusion and social change researcher at UQ’s School of Education, to explore how these portrayals impact our perception of masculinity.

Dr Garth Stahl

A point-of-view of a Formula 1 race car driver racing on the circuit.

Image: Warner Bros

How is masculinity represented in sporting pop culture?

Motorsport films and series often contain hyper-masculine characters within a heteronormative archetype. Within these films and series, we see very specific gender performativities at play. Rather than full aggression or strength, the motorsport cinematic experience is focused on competition and endurance. Unlike many other sports films, the risk of death is ever-present. The car becomes part of their expression of masculinity. Often central to the narrative is the male protagonist’s relationship with their car.

At the same time, sport in general opens up opportunities for expression. When it comes to boys and young men, emotional expression is often tightly controlled – but context matters. On the sports field, a wide range of emotions is not only allowed but encouraged. Boys can shout, cry, celebrate with hugs, even show affection – just think of World Cup players embracing or kissing teammates after a game. These emotional displays are seen as natural in sport, even expected. But outside of that space, the rules change. Emotional expression – especially anything seen as vulnerable – is often policed. Boys are pressured to ‘man up,’ stay stoic and fit into rigid gender roles. This shows how masculinity is not fixed – it’s performed differently depending on the space and social expectations.

Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes stands with his hands on his hips in front of a Formula 1 race car in a dramatic scene for'F1: The Movie'.

Image: Warner Bros

Javier Bardem as Ruben Cervantes puts his arm around Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes in 'F1: The Movie'.

Image: Apple TV

How is masculinity represented in sporting pop culture?

Motorsport films and series often contain hyper-masculine characters within a heteronormative archetype. Within these films and series, we see very specific gender performativities at play. Rather than full aggression or strength, the motorsport cinematic experience is focused on competition and endurance. Unlike many other sports films, the risk of death is ever-present. The car becomes part of their expression of masculinity. Often central to the narrative is the male protagonist’s relationship with their car.

At the same time, sport in general opens up opportunities for expression. When it comes to boys and young men, emotional expression is often tightly controlled – but context matters. On the sports field, a wide range of emotions is not only allowed but encouraged. Boys can shout, cry, celebrate with hugs, even show affection – just think of World Cup players embracing or kissing teammates after a game. These emotional displays are seen as natural in sport, even expected. But outside of that space, the rules change. Emotional expression – especially anything seen as vulnerable – is often policed. Boys are pressured to ‘man up,’ stay stoic and fit into rigid gender roles. This shows how masculinity is not fixed – it’s performed differently depending on the space and social expectations.

Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes lays shirtless on a couch looking up, arm and leg hanging off the side.

Image: Apple TV

Is vulnerability in role models like high-profile athletes the key to shifting our views around masculinity?

It’s a sign of societal progress when male athletes, like Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, openly discuss their struggles with mental health and depression as it works to break down stigma. All research continues to highlight how boys and young men struggle to express vulnerability and disclose weakness.

Recently, the American Psychological Association’s 2018 Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Boys and Men highlighted that boys are often socialised to suppress vulnerability and emotional expression, reinforcing narrow norms of masculinity. This emotional restriction can contribute to increased risks of depression and aggression, as well as the consequences of these negative feelings, particularly when boys lack access to supportive relationships and spaces for emotional development.

Is vulnerability in role models like high-profile athletes the key to shifting our views around masculinity?

It’s a sign of societal progress when male athletes, like Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, openly discuss their struggles with mental health and depression as it works to break down stigma. All research continues to highlight how boys and young men struggle to express vulnerability and disclose weakness.

Recently, the American Psychological Association’s 2018 Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Boys and Men highlighted that boys are often socialised to suppress vulnerability and emotional expression, reinforcing narrow norms of masculinity. This emotional restriction can contribute to increased risks of depression and aggression, as well as the consequences of these negative feelings, particularly when boys lack access to supportive relationships and spaces for emotional development.

Can sporting cinema change what it means to be ‘masculine’?

Through sporting cinema, we see evidence of breaking down stigmas but simultaneously we see examples of males resisting social change with many boys and young men continuing to identify strongly with traditional gender norms.

Overall, we’re seeing progress but it’s uneven. Boys and young men still often cling to traditional gender norms, even as the stigma around emotional expression starts to shift. Motorsport doesn’t just entertain – it sends powerful messages about gender. It can reinforce outdated ideals, but it also holds the potential to challenge them.

As society changes, so does masculinity – but not without resistance. The world of motorsport is a key space where these tensions play out.

Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce and Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes face each other in a scene from 'F1: The Movie'.

Image: Apple TV

Can sporting cinema change what it means to be ‘masculine’?

Through sporting cinema, we see evidence of breaking down stigmas but simultaneously we see examples of males resisting social change with many boys and young men continuing to identify strongly with traditional gender norms.

Overall, we’re seeing progress but it’s uneven. Boys and young men still often cling to traditional gender norms, even as the stigma around emotional expression starts to shift. Motorsport doesn’t just entertain – it sends powerful messages about gender. It can reinforce outdated ideals, but it also holds the potential to challenge them.

As society changes, so does masculinity – but not without resistance. The world of motorsport is a key space where these tensions play out.