Lewis Hamilton Signed Off on Brad Pitt and Damson Idris’ Driving in ‘F1: The Movie’

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On Monday night, I cruised through Times Square, where I was part of the grand unveiling of F1: The Movie, a heart-pounding Formula 1 racing flick featuring none other than Brad Pitt and Damson Idris!

The movie, helmed by director Joseph Kosinski from the “Top Gun: Maverick” team, focuses on Sonny Hayes (Pitt), a former Formula 1 racer who decides to return to racing after many years, this time as a mentor for an up-and-coming talent (Idris). To make the film as authentic as possible, the main actors performed much of their own driving scenes. At the premiere, Pitt shared with The Hollywood Reporter that his first experience behind the wheel left him astonished by how well these cars can handle high-speed corners and how swiftly they can come to a halt. He was simply amazed by the experience.

Pitt, who is accustomed to performing daring on-screen stunts, noted that driving carries both a rush of adrenaline and a peculiar sense of tranquility within the vehicle. He emphasized, “It’s truly remarkable. You need to be completely focused. When everything flows smoothly, there’s an uncanny stillness to it; it’s quite enchanting.

Idris shared that experiencing his first ride was an extraordinary moment for him, with thoughts centered around “Stay alive.” The sensation was unparalleled, and sharing it with Brad made it a long-cherished fantasy realized. Over the course of four months, we meticulously honed our skills in these machines, not just for the driving aspect but also while attempting to deliver convincing performances, remain appealing on camera, and remember our lines.

Idris talked about his first time riding a car, where he was focused on staying safe because it felt amazing, especially since Brad was there with him. We spent four months preparing for this, working hard on our driving skills as well as acting, looking good on camera, and memorizing lines.

The actor additionally declared, “As you view this film, it’s the truest-to-life racing movie ever made; I can’t overstate this fact. Achieving this authenticity was our primary objective, and I’m incredibly proud and joyful that major films are making a comeback.

Kosinski acknowledged that some secret negotiations took place to get the two stars ready for driving — “Many discussions with insurance firms definitely occurred” — but it was less complicated because “Brad and Damson displayed outstanding driving skills; they were highly competent on the road, even impressing Lewis Hamilton. Therefore, although it’s nerve-wracking watching them drive at such high speeds, I had confidence in their talent and the team we assembled for them.

Hamilton, a seven-time world champion and often recognized as the icon of Formula 1, played a role as a producer on this venture. Moreover, portions of the film were actually shot at genuine Formula 1 races. Kosinski expressed his gratitude by saying, “I must truly thank Formula 1 for granting us access to their realm and providing us with the opportunity to execute this project successfully.

F1: The Movie hits theaters June 27.

Neha Joy contributed to this report.

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2025-06-17 20:54