My dad loves cars and loves racing. Growing up, it was my dad who introduced me to the wonders of auto racing, including taking me to an Indy Car race. While I might never love it as much as him, I’ve always enjoyed auto racing. There is a thrill in the competition, especially tight battles to the checkered flag. And the best of racing films capture that feeling and the intensity of the action on the track.

That’s what made me so excited when I saw Joseph Kosinski was taking the reins of F1, which opens Friday. One of the reasons his last film, Top Gun: Maverick, was such a revelation was the intensity and beauty of the action sequences. If he could do that with planes, I couldn’t wait to see what he could do on the track.

And I wasn’t disappointed.

F1 follows veteran driver Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt). He’s a talented driver who lives a nomadic existence. He plies his trade to make different kinds of racing all over the world, never setting down roots. He lives out of a van and goes from job-to-job, place-to-place. Soon, he’s reunited with an old friend, Ruben (Javier Bardem).

When he was young, Sonny and Ruben were drivers in Formula One. But a crash ended Sonny’s time there and set his life on a different track. Now, Reuben is a team owner, and his team is in trouble. He needs a win or it’s all over, and he’s just lost his top driver. His No. 2 driver, rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) is talented but raw.

Ruben needs his old friend to join the team. He needs not only his smarts on the track, but his ability to help guide Pearce. Sonny is hesitant, but eventually accepts the invitation. There he quickly clashes with the Team Leader, Kaspar (Kim Bodnia), and the Tech Director, Kate (Kerry Condon), along with Pearce. But can his fierce tenacity and skill on the track make a difference for the team?

The best racing films have incredible track action but also develop a compelling story. This film achieves that, making it one of the best thrill rides of the summer. That’s a big credit to Kosinski, who plies his skill to some great sequences on the track. The racing sequences are thrilling and engaging, the hook that brings you in.

What keeps you there is a strong story and characters. The script from Ehren Kruger moves at a good pace, and the performances are solid. I enjoyed Pitt and Idris as the main drivers. Their back-and-forth throughout the process works to build you into the story. Meanwhile Bardem and Condon soar in supporting roles, helping fill out the world.

By the time I got to the third act, I was literally on the edge of my seat. The film has soaring visuals and creates a rich world that pulls you in and takes you on a wild ride. It’s also the kind of film that demands to be seen on the big screen—on the biggest screen possible. It’s an incredible and exhilarating time at the movies.

I loved F1. It delivers all I want from a racing film and all I want from a summer blockbuster. It’s one of the year’s best so far and worth seeking out as June comes to a close.

F1 opens nationwide on Friday, June 27.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.