Does Brad Pitt Really Drive In His F1 Movie?

Summary Brad Pitt stars in F1 as Sonny Hayes, a retired Formula One driver who returns to mentor a young driver.

While Pitt does do the driving in the film, he doesn't drive real F1 cars. He drives modified F2 cars.

Filming took place at various racing venues, with actors undergoing extensive training for authenticity.

The official F1 trailer has left many wondering whether Brad Pitt really drives the car in the movie. The highly anticipated F1 movie trailer provides an intriguing glimpse into the world of high-speed racing. Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a seasoned Formula One driver who is compelled to retire after a devastating accident. However, his hiatus from the racing scene is short-lived as he is drawn back to the track to mentor an up-and-coming driver, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris). F1 is directed by Joseph Kosinsk, whose last outing was the record-smashing Top Gun: Maverick.

Car movies like Ford v Ferrari need an emotionally gripping screenplay and solid actors to make them believable. The F1 movie boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Javier Bardem, Sarah Niles, and Will Merrick, alongside actual F1 crew members and real-life legends like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen as themselves. Such a movie is also expected to have the best car movie stunts to create a sense of visceral thrill for audiences. This is why viewers have been speculating about whether Brad Pitt really drives in his F1 movie.

Related Brad Pitt's Best Movies, Ranked A-list Oscar winner Brad Pitt has built a career as a bona fide movie star, starring in modern classics like Fight Club and Ocean's Eleven.

Brad Pitt Really Does Drive In F1 - But It's Not A Formula One Car

It's A Cleverly Modified F2 Car

Brad Pitt does, in fact, drive in F1. However, the cars featured are not actual Formula One cars, but cleverly modified F2 cars (via GQ Magazine). These cars are equipped with an F1 nose, side pods, and rear wings, meticulously designed by Mercedes and having passed all mandatory crash tests to ensure safety. The car features a gold and black livery (via The Telegraph), which MotorSport noted is reminiscent of the Haas team’s 2019 cars.

With co-producer Lewis Hamilton on board, the production pays close attention to the intricate details that are crucial for authenticity.

The fictional team in the film is operated by the esteemed Carlin Motorsport, known for its successful history in F2, F3, and other racing series. With co-producer Lewis Hamilton on board, the production pays close attention to the intricate details that are crucial for authenticity. For instance, the film accurately depicts the beeping sound drivers hear in the cockpit when the DRS (Drag Reduction System) is enabled.

Where & When Did Brad Pitt Filming His Racing Scenes?

Filming Took Place Across Several Prominent Racing Venues

On July 9, 2023, during the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain, the actors were seen walking on the grid alongside the genuine F1 teams

Brad Pitt and Damson Idris filmed their racing scenes amidst the real-world spectacle of the Formula One circuit. The fictional team, Apex GP, temporarily joined the elite ranks of Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, and others by occupying one of the pit garages at the iconic Silverstone Circuit. Here, Pitt and Idris participated in the traditional pre-race line-up during the national anthem, sung by actor Damian Lewis. On July 9, 2023, during the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain, the actors were seen walking on the grid alongside the genuine F1 teams.

Filming also took place at other prominent racing venues. One such location was the Daytona 24-hour race, "which is obviously not Formula 1," the director Joseph Kosinsk said (via Deadline), "but it’s a race we shot that will make sense when people see the movie." Pitt's character, Sonny Hayes, drives a Porsche 911 GTD here at the beginning of F1. Additional filming locations included Hungary, Spa (Belgium), Monza (Italy), Zandvoort (Netherlands), Japan, Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, and Mexico City.

2:42 Related Brad Pitt's Next Movie Will Reportedly Be One Of The Most Expensive Ever Made Brad Pitt's Formula One movie has a budget of over $300 million, making it one of the most expensive ever.

Brad Pitt's F1 Movie Could Redefine Driving Scenes In Movies

It Promises Previously Unseen Levels of Authenticity And Immersion

Brad Pitt's upcoming F1 movie promises to be unlike anything seen before, potentially redefining driving scenes in movies. Both Pitt and Idris have undergone extensive testing at the Paul Ricard circuit in the south of France, gaining first-hand experience of what it feels like to handle a race car's downforce. This preparation is akin to the rigorous training the actors in Top Gun: Maverick went through, ensuring their performances are grounded in genuine experience.

“We’ve got Trevor Carlin’s team,” Pitt explained to GQ Magazine. “It should be as authentic as we can get it. And Lewis is really, really intent that we respect the sport, that we really show it for what it is.” This dedication to realism is poised to make F1 a credible and thrilling portrayal of Formula racing.

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Additionally, according to The Telegraph, the cars have been covered with cameras. These include what camera experts have referred to as the smallest ever moveable 6K camera, ensuring that the film captures the racing action and immerses viewers inside the cockpit alongside the actors. “You’ve never seen speed... you’ve never seen G-forces like this,” Pitt told Martin Brundle. “It’s really, really exciting.” F1 is slated to release in cinemas in July 2025.

Sources: GQ Magazine, The Telegraph, and Deadline.