Brad Pitt’s New ‘F1’ Movie Brings High-Speed Thrills to Hollywood

Apple’s $200 Million Bet on Formula 1 Hits Theaters June 27

By Sahil Kapur
June 17, 2025 | MONTREAL

Brad Pitt’s Driving Impresses Lewis Hamilton

When Brad Pitt joined the cast of F1 The Movie, even seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was impressed.

“He had a feel for it,” Hamilton said at a media event ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. “You could see he understood the racing line. That’s rare for someone who hasn’t done this professionally.”

Hamilton, who races for Ferrari and is also a producer on the film, helped guide Pitt’s preparation for the role. Pitt trained for months — first in a Formula 3 car and later in faster machines — doing all of his own driving during filming.

brad pitt f1 — Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes in “F1 The Movie.”Courtesy of Warner Bros. Picture

A Movie Like No Other

F1 The Movie is not your typical racing film. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski, the movie blends fiction with reality. It was shot during real Grand Prix weekends with actual F1 teams and drivers.

Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a retired F1 driver who returns to the track decades after a career-ending crash. He joins the fictional APXGP team, partnering with a rookie driver, Joshua Pearce (played by Damson Idris). Javier Bardem plays Ruben Cervantes, a former teammate and now team owner who recruits Hayes in a last-ditch effort to save his struggling team.

More Than Just Speed: Storytelling and Strategy

The film offers more than just fast cars and crashes — though there are plenty of both. It dives into strategy, risk-taking, and the psychological battle behind the wheel. Pitt’s character channels the rebel spirit of real-world racers like Max Verstappen and James Hunt.

Kosinski said the film’s goal is to entertain both longtime fans and newcomers. “We want to tell a great story about redemption, friendship, and teamwork — all within the world of Formula 1,” he explained.

How Real Is Too Real?

Despite aiming for authenticity, the film takes some creative liberties. The car Pitt drives is technically a modified Formula 2 car. Real-life conversations between drivers and team principals mid-race are highly unrealistic. And the drama occasionally veers into what F1 insiders call “Hollywood exaggeration.”

But Hamilton says that’s part of the art. “We wanted to push it right to the edge,” he noted, saying he helped filmmakers strike a balance between realism and excitement.

Damson Idris f1 — Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce in “F1 The Movie.”Apple Original Films

Commentary, Romance, and Crashes

Sky Sports commentators David Croft and Martin Brundle appear in the film, delivering lines about DRS, understeer, and famous corners like Eau Rouge. There’s also a romantic subplot: Kerry Condon plays Kate McKenna, Hayes’ technical director and love interest.

Bruckheimer emphasized that this is not a documentary. “We’re here to entertain. If audiences feel emotionally moved, then we’ve succeeded.”

Formula 1’s Big Hollywood Moment

The movie’s launch comes at a time when F1 is booming in the United States. Thanks to Netflix’s Drive to Survive, social media, and now F1 The Movie, the sport is attracting younger and more diverse audiences.

Apple Senior VP Eddy Cue said early screenings show promise. “Hardly anyone had seen a race before. But afterward, everyone wanted to attend one.”

Stefano Domenicali, F1’s CEO, sees the movie as a strategic win. “To most viewers, this will feel like real racing action. That’s what we’re aiming for.”

javier bardem brad pitt — Javier Bardem as Ruben Cervantes and Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes in “F1 The Movie.”Apple Original Films

Behind the Scenes: The 11th Team

Haas veteran Peter Crolla, now with the upcoming Cadillac F1 team, said the filmmakers embedded so deeply with the paddock that they felt like a real team.

“By the end of 2024, we didn’t feel a movie was being filmed. It felt like there was an 11th team in F1,” he said.

And for Pitt, it wasn’t just acting — it was transformative. Hamilton recalled texts from him after driving tests, amazed by the physical toll of racing. “His appreciation for what we do went through the roof,” Hamilton said.

Final Thoughts

F1 The Movie is set to be one of the biggest sports films of the decade. With an A-list cast, real F1 access, and high-octane action, it could introduce millions of new fans to the sport. Whether you live and breathe motorsport or just enjoy a good underdog story, this film has something for everyone.

Focus Keyphrase: Brad Pitt F1 Movie
Meta Description: Brad Pitt stars in F1 The Movie, Apple’s $200M blockbuster filmed during real Grand Prix weekends. Get behind the wheel with thrilling realism, emotional drama, and racing legends.