Brad Pitt says Formula 1 teams and drivers gave full support to his new movie, allowing filming during real Grand Prix events for unmatched realism.
Brad Pitt’s new movie F1: The Movie has become one of the most talked-about sports dramas of 2025. The film, which hit theaters on June 27, 2025, follows a retired F1 driver making a comeback. Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a former racer who returns after 30 years to mentor a rookie. What makes the film unique is its real-world integration—filming took place during actual F1 races in 2023 and 2024.
Pitt credits the F1 community for making this possible.
“F1 has opened all doors for us,” Pitt said at the Yas Marina Circuit. “The teams have been so generous, so welcoming. They let us in in a way I would never have expected.”
The movie blends fiction with reality, inserting a fake team, APXGP, into real races. Pitt and co-star Damson Idris drove modified race cars on tracks like Silverstone and Abu Dhabi, alongside professional drivers.
How F1: The Movie Achieved Unmatched Authenticity
The film used real F1 tracks, teams, and even factories to create a realistic racing experience.
Director Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) and producer Jerry Bruckheimer aimed for extreme accuracy. They filmed at three real F1 team factories in the UK:
- McLaren’s Technology Center (for exterior shots of APXGP’s base)
- Mercedes’ Brackley factory (for team garage scenes)
- Williams’ wind tunnel (for technical discussions)
Williams’ team principal James Vowles confirmed they allowed rare access to their wind tunnel, a highly restricted area.
“They could have built a set, but they wanted the real thing,” Vowles said. “We helped them, but the FIA had to supervise to ensure no rules were broken.”
Even F1 team bosses like Toto Wolff (Mercedes) and Fred Vasseur (Ferrari) made cameos, adding another layer of realism.
Brad Pitt’s Passion Project Took 20 Years to Make
Pitt has been a motorsport fan since childhood, but previous racing movie ideas never materialized.
The actor revealed that F1: The Movie was a long-time dream.
“I’ve always loved racing,” Pitt said. “I tried bikes, cars, different projects—but they never came together. This one finally did.”
The film gained momentum thanks to F1’s growing global popularity and backing from Apple Studios and Lewis Hamilton, who co-produced and advised on details.
“Lewis can tell what corner of a track a sound came from,” Pitt said. “He’s that specific.”
Real Driving Stunts Made the Film Stand Out
Pitt and Idris trained to drive real race cars, not just rely on special effects.
Unlike typical racing movies filmed on soundstages, F1: The Movie put its actors behind the wheel. Pitt admitted regular acting scenes felt dull after real track driving.
“We’re not on a soundstage with wind machines,” he said. “We’re really out there driving.”
The movie’s box office success reflects its appeal. As of June 29, 2025, it has earned $144 million worldwide, becoming Apple Studios’ first No. 1 opening film.
The film is still in theaters, with no streaming release date yet. Early reviews praise its balance of drama and racing action, making it accessible to both F1 fans and newcomers.
“It’s fun, exciting, and emotional,” Pitt said. “If the guys in the pit lane say ‘job well done,’ then we’ve succeeded.”
Also read: Tom Cruise Surprises Fans by Attending Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ Premiere; Calls It a ‘Great Night’
