Hollywood heavyweight Brad Pitt has turn into an everyday fixture within the Method 1 paddock due to his upcoming movie, aptly titled “F1.” The motion flick is slated to turn into the film of the summer time when it arrives in cinemas June 2025, that includes cameos from actual F1 drivers and high-speed scenes with Pitt behind the wheel of a modified F2 automotive. Here is every little thing we find out about “F1” up to now.
What’s ‘F1’ about?
The movie follows Pitt as Sonny Hayes, an ex-F1 driver who makes a shock return to the grid years after struggling a horrible crash. He is recruited by the proprietor of the fictional APXGP crew, performed by Oscar winner Javier Bardem, who groups him up with Damson Idris’ character, rookie Joshua Pearce. Collectively, the pair should work to raise the eleventh F1 crew in direction of the top-end of the grid.
“I might be a man who raced within the ’90s,” Pitt informed Martin Brundle in a 2023 interview. “He has a horrible crash and type of craps out and disappears after which is racing in different disciplines.” Pitt famous that Idris’ character “brings [him] in as type of a Hail Mary and hijinks ensue.”
F1 beforehand defined that the movie was set to “rejoice the talent and heroism of the drivers whereas showcasing the unimaginable problem of competitors in Method 1.”
Who’s within the forged of ‘F1’?
Together with the Academy Award-winning duo of Pitt and Bardem, the movie options an all-star forged together with “The Crown” actor Tobias Menzies, “The Banshees of Inisherin” star Kerry Condon, “Ted Lasso” actress Sarah Niles, and Idris.
Kim Bodnia and Samson Kayo may even seem within the challenge, together with Simone Ashley, who was noticed filming scenes on the 2024 British Grand Prix. The “Bridgerton” breakout star is an F1 fan who met her boyfriend, Constantin “Tino” Klein, on the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix.
Who’s directing ‘F1’?
“F1” is directed by seven-time Academy Award nominee, Joseph Kosinski. The 50-year-old was beforehand on the helm of the 2022 summer time blockbuster “Prime Gun: Maverick.”
The place was ‘F1’ filmed?
“F1” was filmed throughout race weekends at Silverstone, Hungary, Spa, Monza, Zandvoort, Japan, Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi and Mexico Metropolis. F1 allowed the crew to arrange in an empty storage, which was fitted out with signage for the fictional eleventh crew on the grid — APXGP.
Staged storage for an upcoming motor racing film starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris
Picture by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Pictures
“We’re taking pictures on the precise Grands Prix, there are particular elements of this movie the place we’re working in very, very tight home windows, taking pictures on the observe, between apply and qualifying periods, in entrance of tons of of 1000’s of individuals,” Kosinski beforehand informed Deadline.
“Final 12 months, at Silverstone, we had a scene we shot on the grid. I believe we had one thing like 9 minutes to shoot,” he defined. “It actually brings an depth and everybody’s leaning ahead in a approach that perhaps you wouldn’t on a traditional shoot day … you’ll be able to simply see the adrenaline going beforehand and you’re feeling that within the performances.”
Within the movie, Pitt’s character raced within the IMSA Championship earlier than returning to Method 1, so the crew additionally filmed scenes on the Daytona 24 Hours earlier this 12 months.
What has Brad Pitt mentioned about ‘F1’?
Pitt spoke to Brundle final 12 months when manufacturing kicked off on the British Grand Prix.
“I’m a bit of giddy proper now, I’ve received to say,” he admitted on the time. “It’s the very best time of my life. … The vibe is superb, however simply to get to be part of it on this approach, and get to inform our story.”
Pitt additionally expressed his gratitude to everybody within the paddock for being so accommodating.
“All of the groups have opened their doorways for us,” he mentioned. “Everybody has simply been actually, actually superb, that we are able to do that. And it’s going to be actually good.”
When will ‘F1’ be launched?
“F1,” which is produced by Apple, will likely be launched in worldwide markets on 25 June 2025, earlier than its premiere in North American theaters on June 27, 2025.
How is Lewis Hamilton concerned within the ‘F1’ film?
Lewis Hamilton’s manufacturing firm, Daybreak Apollo Movies, is co-producing the movie alongside Jerry Bruckheimer, with the seven-time world champion engaged on the challenge in a consultancy function.
“We would like everybody to like it and to essentially really feel that we encapsulate what the essence of this sport is all about – that’s our purpose and I hope we are able to do you proud,” he informed reporters in a press convention on the 2023 British Grand Prix, noting that he was “excited to see all of it coming collectively.”
Just a few months later, he spoke out in regards to the SAG-AFTRA strike that impacted the manufacturing’s potential to movie on the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix. “If there wasn’t a strike, we’d be filming one of many actually cool scenes right here this weekend,” he informed journalists.
“However we’ll proceed filming subsequent 12 months, so you will see them round extra,” Hamilton went on. “We’ll hold pushing alongside. It is nonetheless going to be nice, may cost a little a bit of bit extra however I am actually assured in what Jerry [Bruckheimer] goes to provide.”
How lifelike is ‘F1’?
The manufacturing used modified Method 2 vehicles which have been pushed by actors Pitt and Idris, together with a crew of former drivers-turned-stuntmen. Kosinski mentioned the concept got here from Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who was additionally closely concerned within the challenge.
“All of them complain that racing motion pictures aren’t quick sufficient as a result of normally once they construct these vehicles, they’re film vehicles. You understand, they give the impression of being proper, however they aren’t actual race vehicles,” the director informed Deadline. “At one in every of our first conferences, Toto mentioned: ‘It is best to construct this off a Method 2 automotive, however make it appear like a Method 1 automotive,’ so it’s a Method 2 chassis and engine,” he went on.
“We labored carefully with Mercedes and their design crew and aerodynamicists to develop a customized physique that resembles the most recent technology Method 1 automotive. They’re constructed particularly for this film. Additionally they have 15 digital camera mounts constructed into them, together with the recorders and the batteries and the transmitters. They’re made for taking pictures motion pictures, however they’re essentially race vehicles.”
vehicles being filmed for brand new F1 movie APEX starring Brad Pitt
Picture by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Pictures
The “Prime Gun: Maverick” director revealed Hamilton additionally performed a key function in making certain the movie was as lifelike as doable.
“He’s the primary individual I contacted three years in the past,” Kosinski informed the outlet. “Lewis has been an unimaginable companion; he jumps on Zooms with me between races to undergo the script, line by line, flip by flip, , tire compound by tire compound, to make it possible for we’re getting all the small print proper.”
Which drivers will likely be featured within the ‘F1’ film?
Whereas it stays unclear how closely the game’s 20 drivers will function within the movie, they’re anticipated to make a number of appearances given what number of scenes have been filmed throughout race weekends. The primary teaser trailer dropped in July 2024 and featured Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, together with former Haas crew principal Gunther Steiner.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Alpine driver Esteban Ocon have been additionally seen strolling alongside actors on the beginning grid earlier than the race on the 2024 British Grand Prix.
