Unexpected Craze: How an ‘F1’ Film Sent Driving Fever Into Overdrive

Isn’t it wild how one movie can hit theaters, and suddenly everyone’s rediscovering the ancient art of… driving? Seriously, who knew it took Brad Pitt behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car for millions to peer outside, squint at their dusty sedans, and think, “Wait, we can move fast too?” I’ll admit, there’s something hilarious (and, okay, a little inspiring) about folks stampeding into car dealerships just to mimic the adrenaline rush onscreen. I mean, have we all forgotten what traffic feels like? So, before you start practicing pit stops at every red light, ask yourself: Are you really ready for stop signs to crush your F1 fantasy? Buckle up—because this whole saga is only getting stranger. LEARN MORE.

LOS ANGELES—Coinciding with a spike in interest in cars and moving fast, a trend report published Friday by Edmunds Research confirmed that driving was surging in popularity thanks to Apple’s new film F1. “F1 has really pushed driving into the forefront of culture, and now it’s having a moment,” said report co-author Jared Eash, who noted that millions of the film’s fans across the country were crowding into car dealerships and heading out onto streets and roads in an effort to try out the motor vehicle trend for themselves. “Personally, I love getting into my Nissan Sentra and driving around Kansas City. I feel just like Brad Pitt! And I know I’m not alone. There are some superfans who say that thanks to the movie, they operate a car every day, or even multiple times a day. F1 has officially put cars on the map.” At press time, the popularity of driving was reportedly waning after those trying it for the first time learned about stop signs.