Everything we know so far

Hollywood heavyweight Brad Pitt has grow to be an everyday fixture within the Components 1 paddock due to his upcoming movie, aptly titled „F1.“ The motion flick is slated to grow to be 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 automobile. Here is every little thing we find out about „F1“ to date. 

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 workforce, 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 workforce in direction of the top-end of the grid. 

“I’d be a man who raced within the ’90s,” Pitt advised 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 „have a good time the ability and heroism of the drivers whereas showcasing the unimaginable problem of competitors in Components 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 „High 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 workforce on the grid — APXGP. 

Staged storage for an upcoming motor racing film starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris

Photograph by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs

“We’re taking pictures on the precise Grands Prix, there are specific points of this movie the place we’re working in very, very tight home windows, taking pictures on the observe, between observe and qualifying classes, in entrance of a whole bunch of hundreds of individuals,” Kosinski beforehand advised 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 manner that possibly you wouldn’t on a traditional shoot day … you’ll be able to simply see the adrenaline going beforehand and you are feeling that within the performances.”

Within the movie, Pitt’s character raced within the IMSA Championship earlier than returning to Components 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 advised reporters that weekend. “About two-thirds of the film is already minimize. This would be the final race that we now have (to) minimize 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 Photographs

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 is not involved about followers getting an early sneak peek. 

“For those who’re on the set of a film, and also you get a clip of it, you’d don’t know what the hell is happening,” Cue advised 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 don’t have any thought what the context of that’s or earlier than. I really assume 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 slightly giddy proper now, I’ve received to say,” he admitted on the time. “It’s the perfect time of my life. … The vibe is wonderful, however simply to get to be part of it on this manner, 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 wonderful, that we will do that. And it’s going to be actually good.“ 

When will ‚F1‘ be launched?

„F1,“ which is produced by Apple, will probably 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 position. 

“We would like everybody to adore it and to actually 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 advised reporters in a press convention on the 2023 British Grand Prix, noting that he was “excited to see all of it coming collectively.“ 

A number of months later, he spoke out in regards to the SAG-AFTRA strike that impacted the manufacturing’s skill 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 advised journalists. 

„However we’ll proceed filming subsequent 12 months, so you will see them round extra,“ Hamilton went on. „We’ll preserve pushing alongside. It is nonetheless going to be nice, may cost a little slightly bit extra however I am actually assured in what Jerry [Bruckheimer] goes to supply.“

How sensible is ‚F1‘? 

The manufacturing used modified Components 2 automobiles which have been pushed by actors Pitt and Idris, together with a workforce of former drivers-turned-stuntmen. Kosinski stated the thought 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 once they construct these automobiles, they’re film automobiles. You already know, they appear proper, however they aren’t actual race automobiles,“ the director advised Deadline. „At considered one of our first conferences, Toto stated: ‘You must construct this off a Components 2 automobile, however make it appear to be a Components 1 automobile,‘ so it’s a Components 2 chassis and engine,“ he went on. 

„We labored intently with Mercedes and their design workforce and aerodynamicists to develop a customized physique that resembles the newest era Components 1 automobile. They’re constructed particularly for this film. Additionally they have 15 digicam 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 automobiles.“ 

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

Photograph by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs

The „High Gun: Maverick“ director revealed Hamilton additionally performed a key position in guaranteeing the movie was as sensible as potential.

„He’s the primary particular person I contacted three years in the past,“ Kosinski advised the outlet. „Lewis has been an unimaginable associate; he jumps on Zooms with me between races to undergo the script, line by line, flip by flip, you understand, tire compound by tire compound, to be sure that we’re getting all the small print proper.“

Which drivers will probably 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 Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, together with former Haas workforce 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.