While we’ve known of this film’s production for quite some time, it doesn’t hurt to hear details from the star himself, Brad Pitt. We know from a technical perspective, the movie will be utilising the best equipment available, like the “smallest moveable 6k camera ever designed” to immerse viewers in a Formula 1 cockpit. That’s all well and good, but what is it about?
Speaking to Sky Sports before the race at the British GP, Pitt revealed a few plot details.
“I play a guy who raced in the 1990s who has a horrible crash and disappears, to race in other disciplines,” said Pitt. “His friend, played by Javier Bardem, the team owner, contacts him.
“They’re last in the grid, they haven’t scored a point. But they have a young phenom, played by Damson Idris, and they bring me in as kind of a hail mary.
“You’ve never seen speed, you’ve never seen the G-forces like this, the footage is really, really exciting.”
Pitt is driving a real F2-spec car, courtesy of Mercedes, in the film. Before the British GP started, Pitt and his crew drove around a few laps to shoot a few scenes.
Hello Mr Brad Pitt. #BritishGrandPrix pic.twitter.com/18ogvZgR2r
— Simon James Rayfield (@SimonJRayfield) July 8, 2023
“I wasn’t nervous when I was out on the track today,” Pitt added. “The guys really prepared me well. There’s a couple of corners where I can see the stands, but I was focused on the lines. I was able to appreciate the experience of driving when I was on the straights.
“This should be as authentic as we can get it. Lewis [Hamilton] wants us to respect the sport, that we really show it for what it is. As a civilian, I had no idea what it takes to be a driver. The aggression and dexterity, I have so much respect for it.”
Seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton, is a producer on the film and has expressed his anxiety in trying to achieve such a high level of authenticity.
“There are nerves because it is something we’ve been working on for so long,” Hamilton said. “We want everyone to love it and to really feel that we encapsulate what the essence of this sport is all about.”
The Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) helmed film has no release date yet, but it has been reported to receive a theatrical release before becoming an Apple TV+ exclusive.
