The youngest member of a renowned racer family has one problem—he can't drive for the life of him. His only chance to prove himself is in the drone league, much to his father's disapproval.

SYNOPSIS:

After another failed driving lesson, Jacob Dante (JD) suggests trying out for the drone league. His father, Joe, a legendary F1 driver whose career ended in flames leaving him scarred and bitter, makes fun of JD even after his wife Irene urges him to give it a chance. Best buddy Omar convinces JD to join an illegal drone race organized by a wanted anarchist and hacker calling himself The Freeman. Omar blindsides JD and promises to win the 9 Circles of Hell championship. Freeman agrees and lets JD pilot his most expensive drone after seeing the kid lacks a brain-to-computer interface (BCI), enabling pilots to feel whatever the drone feels. They meet current champion Lucy, who uses the race as an exercise. Motion sickness overcomes JD, and he crashes the drone before a police raid. Both end up in the hospital, meeting wheelchair-bound former champion Alex Cheng. He urges JD to stop. Back home, The Freeman greets JD in his room, demands a new drone, and to win the 9 Circles, or their families will suffer.

JD sneaks out with Omar to ask Alex for help in his drone shop. He refuses to train him because Alex’s career ended with a fried BCI, crippling him and killing a bystander. Alex kicks them out, and JD waits outside the shop in hopes of talking to him again. Alex takes pity and agrees to offer his old drone. JD begins training with tailored workouts increasing reaction time and dexterity. Shop work like metal milling prepares him for racing with a BCI. Once on top of the Minor League, he undergoes surgery in an underground clinic to receive his BCI, Vergil. His training intensifies, but JD comes out 2nd every time he races against Lucy in the Major League. An increasingly suspicious Joe follows JD and gives his son an ultimatum. They split, and JD enters the qualifying race for the 9 Circles. Irene scolds Joe for being so reckless with their son and urges him to fix what he broke. JD loses the race because of past trauma. He watched Joe almost die during his final F1 race. They return to the drone shop where Joe and his trusted mechanic Duke await. Joe and JD make amends, but the family reunion is interrupted by The Freeman threatening to wreak havoc. He urges JD to join The Crucible, or he will destroy the Dante legacy. The Crucible is a battle-royal race taking place on an abandoned island. The winner receives a ticket to participate in the 9 Circles.

JD goes through a last round of training with Joe and Alex while Omar and Duke reassemble the drone. He wins The Crucible, entering the 9 Circles. The Freeman disguises himself as a technician to sabotage the drone. It shuts down mid-race, counting out a timer. When all is lost, JD locks eyes with his father. A proudful nod spurs JD back into the race. The drone comes back online, and JD races through every shortcut in the 9 Circles. Faster, but also much more dangerous. JD wins, and they confront The Freeman to give him his drone back. But as it turns out, The Freeman sabotaged the drone for JD to win, not lose. He was the only one to bet on JD clearing the 9 Circles using the most dangerous route. In the end, Joe gives JD another driving lesson. This time JD listens.