Everything we know so far

Hollywood heavyweight Brad Pitt has change into a daily fixture within the Method 1 paddock because of his upcoming movie, aptly titled “F1.” The motion flick is slated to change into the film of the summer season 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. This is the whole lot we learn about “F1” to this point. 

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’d be a man who raced within the ’90s,” Pitt informed Martin Brundle in a 2023 interview. “He has a horrible crash and sort of craps out and disappears after which is racing in different disciplines.” Pitt famous that Idris’ character “brings [him] in as sort of a Hail Mary and hijinks ensue.” 

F1 beforehand defined that the movie was set to “rejoice the ability 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 will even seem within the venture, 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 season 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

Photograph by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photos

“We’re taking pictures on the precise Grands Prix, there are specific elements of this movie the place we’re working in very, very tight home windows, taking pictures on the monitor, between apply and qualifying periods, in entrance of a whole bunch 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 possibly 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.

When did ‘F1’ end filming? 

The ultimate scenes of the film have been filmed on the final race of the 2024 season in Abu Dhabi. After the race, a second podium ceremony was staged in entrance of followers within the grandstands, who had been requested to remain of their seats earlier than Pitt emerged. The actor was seen spraying champagne whereas filming the scene alongside Charles Leclerc and George Russell. 

“We’ll keep right here for the remainder of the week doing pick-ups, after which we’re within the enhancing room,” Bruckheimer informed reporters that weekend. “About two-thirds of the film is already lower. This would be the final race that now we have (to) lower this collectively, and we’ll check out it.”

Brad Pitt and Damson Idris movie a scene on the beginning grid alongside McLaren’s Oscar Piastri

Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Photos

It got here a few weeks after Pitt was noticed filming a scene on the Las Vegas strip, the place he ‘fainted’ onto a crash mat. The clip promptly went viral on-line nonetheless Apple’s Senior Vice President of Companies, Eddy Cue, stated he isn’t involved about followers getting an early sneak peek. 

“When you’re on the set of a film, and also you get a clip of it, you’d do not know what the hell is happening,” Cue informed reporters. “It’s not prefer it’s shot in sequence, proper? These little issues… I noticed this factor on YouTube of Brad fainting in Vegas or no matter, however you haven’t any thought what the context of that’s or earlier than. I truly suppose all of it helps.”

What has Brad Pitt stated about ‘F1’?

Pitt spoke to Brundle final 12 months when manufacturing kicked off on the British Grand Prix. 

“I’m a little bit giddy proper now, I’ve bought 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 stated. “Everybody has simply been actually, actually superb, that we will do that. And it’s going to be actually good.” 

When will ‘F1’ be launched?

“F1,” which is produced by Apple, shall 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 venture in a consultancy function. 

“We wish everybody to adore 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 will 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 concerning 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 may see them round extra,” Hamilton went on. “We’ll hold pushing alongside. It is nonetheless going to be nice, may cost a little bit bit extra however I am actually assured in what Jerry [Bruckheimer] goes to supply.”

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 stated the concept got here from Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who was additionally closely concerned within the venture.

“All of them complain that racing films aren’t quick sufficient as a result of normally after they construct these vehicles, they’re film vehicles. You realize, they appear proper, however they aren’t actual race vehicles,” the director informed Deadline. “At one in every of our first conferences, Toto stated: ‘It’s 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 intently with Mercedes and their design crew and aerodynamicists to develop a customized physique that resembles the most recent era Method 1 automotive. They’re constructed particularly for this film. In addition 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 films, however they’re basically race vehicles.” 

vehicles being filmed for brand new F1 movie APEX starring Brad Pitt

Photograph by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photos

The “Prime Gun: Maverick” director revealed Hamilton additionally performed a key function in guaranteeing the movie was as lifelike as doable.

“He’s the primary particular person 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 be sure that we’re getting all the main points proper.”

Which drivers shall be featured within the ‘F1’ film? 

Whereas it stays unclear how closely the game’s 20 drivers will characteristic 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 Purple 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.