Is this one of many signs that F1 is reaching a critical juncture?
The sport is truly getting the Hollywood treatment.
Brad Pitt stars in an upcoming film set in the world of Formula 1, playing a veteran driver for APXGP, a fictional team on the grid. Pitt’s co-star is Damson Idris, who plays Pitt’s rookie teammate at APXGP.
On Tuesday, F1 and Apple Original Films announced that the film, directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, will be released in theaters and IMAX worldwide next June. The film is scheduled for release internationally on June 25, 2025, and in North America on June 27, 2025.
The film will be distributed theatrically by Warner Bros. Pictures.
What makes the film unique is that it was shot in real time during races around the world in collaboration with F1, and involves the entire F1 community. According to a press release announcing the release date, the film features “…all 10 teams, drivers, the FIA and race promoters.”
For example, during last season’s British Grand Prix, a film crew shot scenes at Silverstone with Pitt and Idris, and also attended events such as the drivers’ meetings. Lewis Hamilton, the film’s executive producer, spoke about the filming process at the FIA press conference ahead of last year’s British Grand Prix.
“Yes, I’m really grateful. [F1]”I don’t know if this would have been possible 10-plus years ago when the old management was here; they probably wouldn’t have seen this as a significant step in terms of growing the sport. But we’ve already seen the great results and impact of the Netflix shows and I think this will take it to even new heights,” Hamilton said last year. “So, as you all already know, I think there’s a lot of people around the world who are so excited about the sport and want to know more, and the fact that we’ve got all the original characters and Brad actually on the gridiron is pretty cool.”
“I’m confident that our cameras are much better than what you see on TV. I’ve seen all the footage of the camera positions. I’ve spent time with Joe trying to make sure we get the best camera positions and that the frame rates are different, so it’s going to look faster,” Hamilton continued. “I think it’s going to look faster than what you see on TV, because I think it has to do with the frame rates that we need to have. But Joe’s a fantastic director and he’s really… what he’s done with the fighter jets, I think you’ve already seen, what he’s done with the planes, MaverickSo just think about what he accomplished in that jet dogfight. That was pretty epic.
“And I think bringing that skill and perspective into our world will be fantastic.”
And now we know the time has come for us to see this for ourselves.
