Simone Ashley’s role in the upcoming F1 movie was significantly reduced, leaving fans disappointed. Director Joseph Kosinski explains the decision, while the actress calls the experience “crazy” and “grateful.”
The highly anticipated Formula 1 racing movie, F1, starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, is set to release on June 27, 2025. However, fans of Simone Ashley, known for her role in Bridgerton, are upset after learning her part was cut down to a brief cameo with no dialogue.
Director Joseph Kosinski addressed the backlash, saying it’s normal for films to cut scenes during editing. He praised Ashley’s talent and expressed interest in working with her again. Meanwhile, Ashley has remained positive, calling the filming experience unforgettable.
Why Was Simone Ashley’s Role Reduced?
Ashley was cast in F1 in July 2024 and was seen filming at real Grand Prix events. Early reports suggested she had a significant role, but recent screenings revealed her screen time was drastically reduced.
Kosinski explained that editing often leads to cuts.
“It happens on every film, where you have to shoot more than you can use. There were two or three storylines that ultimately didn’t make it into the final cut.”
He emphasized that the decision was not personal.
“Simone, she’s an incredible talent, incredible actress, incredible singer, and I would love to work with her again.”
Fan Reactions to the News
Many fans were excited to see Ashley in the film, especially after she promoted it earlier this year. Social media reactions show disappointment over her reduced role.
One TikTok user said:
“Her role has been reduced down to almost just a cameo.”
Another fan commented:
“Thanks for the heads up. I was literally only going to watch it for her lol. Will be skipping.”
A third added:
“Was wondering where she was in the new trailers for this.”
Some fans compared the situation to other actors of color who had scenes cut in big films, sparking discussions about representation in Hollywood.
Simone Ashley’s Response
Ashley has not directly addressed the cuts but previously spoke about her experience filming F1.
“I have a very small part, but I’m grateful to be in that movie. I got to experience many Grands Prix. I don’t think I’ll ever do anything like that again.”
She described the fast-paced filming process, where scenes were shot during real races with limited time.
“You had to work as a team. Sometimes we literally had one take for certain shots. Like, you’d see on the call sheet eight minutes to get this one thing because we were shooting alongside the races.”
Despite the challenges, she called it an amazing experience.
“It was kind of like theater. It felt so live. You hear the crowd and the fireworks and the cars. Everything’s just so fast-paced and noisy, and we’re all together as a little unit.”
What Is F1 About?
The movie follows Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a retired F1 driver who returns to mentor a rookie, played by Damson Idris. The film was shot during actual Grand Prix events, featuring real drivers and crowds.
Kosinski compared it to his previous film, Top Gun: Maverick, saying F1 was more challenging due to live racing conditions.
“This movie we shot in front of an audience of 400,000 people. Often, I had only a few minutes to shoot a scene because we were actually shooting it at the real live event.”
Will Simone Ashley Return for Future Projects?
While her role in F1 was cut short, Kosinski’s praise suggests potential future collaborations. Ashley continues to be a rising star, with fans eagerly watching her next moves.
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