First Glimpse at ‘F1’ Trailer Starring Brad Pitt

The trailer for a new Formula 1 movie starring Brad Pitt made its debut over the weekend at the British Grand Prix. The film, set to be released in the summer of 2025, follows the story of F1 driver Sonny Hayes (played by Pitt) who comes out of retirement to mentor and partner with rookie driver Noah Pearce (portrayed by Damson Idris) for the fictional Apex GP team.

Directed and produced by Joseph Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer, the minds behind Top Gun: Maverick, this upcoming movie has already been acquired by Apple, with Warner Bros. handling global distribution to cinemas worldwide.

Although some Formula 1 fans have voiced concerns about special treatment for Brad Pitt and his colleagues by the sport’s governing body, the technological innovation and meticulous planning for this film could set a new standard for realism in sports movies.

A significant aspect contributing to this heightened sense of realism is the involvement of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Initially approached by Kosinski three years ago for a role in Top Gun: Maverick, Hamilton declined but agreed to join as a producer for this new F1 film.

Hamilton’s role as a producer goes beyond just a title; he actively participates in Zoom meetings with the production team, providing input on script details such as race dynamics, turn angles, and tire selection, drawing from his own experience on the track.

One notable example of Hamilton’s input is the addition of a beep in the cockpit signalling when the Drag Reduction System (DRS) is activated, reflecting real-life racing scenarios.

Moreover, Hamilton facilitated introductions between Kosinski, Bruckheimer, and the Mercedes Formula 1 team, including team principal Toto Wolff. Mercedes collaborated with the film crew, adapting a Formula 2 car to resemble a Formula 1 vehicle for on-track scenes, with Mercedes’ technical team ensuring visual authenticity.

The production crew spent nearly two years filming at renowned F1 circuits like Silverstone, Spa, Monza, and Zandvoort, as well as the Daytona 24 hours, capturing scenes amid actual Grand Prix weekends. The film, titled “F1,” strategically partnered with teams like Alpine to leverage onboard camera footage, digitally altering livery to match the Apex GP team during filming.

To enhance the viewing experience, the film crew installed specially controlled cameras around F1 tracks via a bespoke radio frequency network. While the project’s budget reportedly exceeds $300 million, substantial production costs were offset through filming incentives and lucrative sponsorship deals with brands like Expensify, Geico, EA Sports, Tommy Hilfiger, and SharkNinja.

Despite comparisons to iconic racing films like Rush and Ford v. Ferrari, Brad Pitt’s Formula 1 endeavour aims to deliver an unparalleled level of authenticity. With meticulous attention to detail and collaboration with motorsport industry leaders, this movie promises to offer audiences an immersive and realistic portrayal of the high-octane world of Formula 1.