Brad Pitt’s F1: The Racing Film He’s Waited a Lifetime to Make
- Onepress tv
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
After years of on-screen heroics, Brad Pitt is stepping into a role that’s been in his heart long before the script ever landed in his hands, a Formula One driver. The upcoming film F1, set to hit theaters on June 27, is not just another action project for Pitt. It’s the realization of a dream he’s had for decades: to make an authentic, high-stakes racing movie. “For me, it was just a no-brainer when (director Joseph Kosinski) had this audacious plan to embed us in the racing season, to put us actually in the cars. It was just a dream come true,” Pitt said at a press conference in Mexico City on June 10. He added that he’s wanted to make a racing film “for literally decades,” and F1 is finally giving him the chance to blend his love for storytelling with the raw adrenaline of motorsport (People) .
In F1, Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a former Formula One driver who walked away from the sport after a severe crash. Now older and more reluctant, he’s pulled back into the high-octane world of racing to mentor a new talent, Joshua “Noah” Pearce, played by British actor Damson Idris. The story centers on their journey with APXGP, a fictional underdog team that’s struggling to stay competitive in a sport dominated by speed, pressure, and legacy.
Pitt’s character brings a worn, experienced edge, while Idris’s Pearce injects youth, ambition, and urgency. According to Idris, their real-life dynamic off-camera mirrored what audiences will see on screen. “It was a seamless dynamic between us,” Idris shared. “As soon as they'd yell, ‘Cut,’ we both sat at our seats and giggled… He’d be telling me stories of when he first met Prince and Sidney Poitier… ‘you’re a walking monument.’” Despite Pitt’s legendary status, Idris described him as “the most humble person,” adding, “He wants you to win, and that’s what you need from your acting partner.”
Filmmaking That Breaks the Mold
F1 is directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for visually immersive blockbusters like Top Gun: Maverick. Backed by powerhouse producer Jerry Bruckheimer and seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, the film aims to set a new standard for realism in racing cinema. According to Pitt, the crew didn’t just simulate the racing world, they became part of it. “We had an incredible crew who put together these amazing cars,” he said. “And the engineering that went into it, the shots that Joe was getting with these incredibly small cameras to take the viewer into the cockpit, you’ve never seen speed, you’ve never seen the G-forces like this.”
The film was shot during actual race weekends, with Pitt and Idris placed in real race environments to capture the energy of the sport. Pitt emphasized that the experience “was nothing like I’ve ever experienced in all my decades doing this.” While F1 promises plenty of edge-of-your-seat racing sequences, it’s just as much a story about mentorship, resilience, and second chances. The emotional relationship between Sonny and Joshua is at the heart of the film, one forged through risk, loss, and shared ambition. Supporting cast members include Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Sarah Niles, Kim Bodnia, and Samson Kayo, rounding out a film designed to appeal to more than just racing fans.
With F1, Brad Pitt isn’t just making another movie, he’s fulfilling a passion project that’s been burning in him for years. From high-speed drama to human connection, this is shaping up to be one of the most unique and immersive racing films in recent memory. Whether you’re an F1 fanatic or a fan of gripping underdog stories, F1 will race into theaters on June 27, powered by heart, horsepower, and Hollywood craft at its finest.
