The movie premiere for F1 raced its way to Time Square. On the red carpet, Brad Pitt, who stars in the film, was joined by Formula 1 race legend Lewis Hamilton, along with Damson Idris and Kerry Condon. While speaking to E! News, the iconic actor shared his experience working on the movie alongside the F1 racers and the production team, calling it an unforgettable moment.
“The teams and drivers welcomed us with open arms in a way I never imagined,” he said. “It’s an experience I’ll carry with me forever.”
Pitt also revealed that he had to truly embody the role, such as attending real Grand Prix weekends, for instance. Afterward, he shared that the hardest part of prepping for his role was following a storyline that mirrored the true essence of the sport.
“The hardest part was crafting the narrative,” Pitt admitted. “This sport is deeply respected, and a lot of people really know their stuff. But we also had to consider those who are new to F1. So we had to find that balance—make it accessible without dumbing it down. I think we pulled it off.”
So far, F1 has been receiving good feedback, especially from the drivers who have applauded the movie’s realistic approach. Hamilton, who also served as a producer, played a major role in maintaining the realistic view of being an F1 driver.
“Lewis was hands-on with all the technical aspects,” Kosinski said. “In Hungary, for example, Brad had a scene where he needed to let someone pass under a blue flag. Lewis told us, ‘If you want it tight and realistic, it’s only going to happen at turn six.’ That kind of precision just can’t be faked.”
F1 follows the story of a veteran who gets counted out by the world, only to get one final shot at redeeming himself. Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a former Formula One whose career never took off. Despite this, his spirits remain high. After racing in other circuits, Sonny is unexpectedly offered a chance to join the APX Mercedes team as a second driver while also mentoring a rising star, Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris. Along the way, the two tend not to see eye to eye, and they both struggle to gain the respect of their fellow competitors.
