Every thing we all know to date

Hollywood heavyweight Brad Pitt has turn out to be a daily fixture within the System 1 paddock due to his upcoming movie, aptly titled “F1.” The motion flick is slated to turn out to be the film of the summer time 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 every thing we learn 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 group, 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 group in the direction of the top-end of the grid. 

“I might be a man who raced within the ’90s,” Pitt informed Martin Brundle in a 2023 interview. “He has a horrible crash and form of craps out and disappears after which is racing in different disciplines.” Pitt famous that Idris’ character “brings [him] in as form 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 unbelievable problem of competitors in System 1.” 

Who’s within the solid of ‘F1’?

Together with the Academy Award-winning duo of Pitt and Bardem, the movie options an all-star solid 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 can even seem within the undertaking, 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 time 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 group on the grid — APXGP. 

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

Picture by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Pictures

“We’re capturing on the precise Grands Prix, there are particular elements of this movie the place we’re working in very, very tight home windows, capturing on the monitor, between apply and qualifying periods, in entrance of a whole bunch of 1000’s of individuals,” Kosinski beforehand informed Deadline. 

“Final yr, at Silverstone, we had a scene we shot on the grid. I feel we had one thing like 9 minutes to shoot,” he defined. “It actually brings an depth and everybody’s leaning ahead in a means 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 System 1, so the crew additionally filmed scenes on the Daytona 24 Hours earlier this yr.

When did ‘F1’ end filming? 

The ultimate scenes of the film had 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 minimize. This would be the final race that we’ve got (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

Picture by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Pictures

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. 

“In the event you’re on the set of a film, and also you get a clip of it, you’ll don’t know what the hell is occurring,” 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 don’t have any concept what the context of that’s or earlier than. I truly assume all of it helps.”

What has Brad Pitt stated about ‘F1’?

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

“I’m slightly giddy proper now, I’ve acquired to say,” he admitted on the time. “It’s the very best time of my life. … The vibe is wonderful, however simply to get to be part of it on this means, 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 are able to 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 undertaking in a consultancy function. 

“We would like everybody to like 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 are able to 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.” 

A number of months later, he spoke out in regards to the SAG-AFTRA strike that impacted the manufacturing’s means 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 yr, so you will see them round extra,” Hamilton went on. “We’ll hold 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 life like is ‘F1’? 

The manufacturing used modified System 2 vehicles which had been pushed by actors Pitt and Idris, together with a group of former drivers-turned-stuntmen. Kosinski stated the thought got here from Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who was additionally closely concerned within the undertaking.

“All of them complain that racing films aren’t quick sufficient as a result of normally once they construct these vehicles, they’re film vehicles. You recognize, they give the impression of being proper, however they aren’t actual race vehicles,” the director informed Deadline. “At one among our first conferences, Toto stated: ‘You must construct this off a System 2 automotive, however make it appear like a System 1 automotive,’ so it’s a System 2 chassis and engine,” he went on. 

“We labored carefully with Mercedes and their design group and aerodynamicists to develop a customized physique that resembles the most recent technology System 1 automotive. 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 capturing films, however they’re basically race vehicles.” 

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

Picture by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Pictures

The “High Gun: Maverick” director revealed Hamilton additionally performed a key function in making certain the movie was as life like as doable.

“He’s the primary particular person I contacted three years in the past,” Kosinski informed the outlet. “Lewis has been an unbelievable companion; he jumps on Zooms with me between races to undergo the script, line by line, flip by flip, you already know, 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 function within the movie, they’re anticipated to make a number of appearances given what number of scenes had 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 group principal Gunther Steiner.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Alpine driver Esteban Ocon had been additionally seen strolling alongside actors on the beginning grid earlier than the race on the 2024 British Grand Prix.