Hollywood icon Brad Pitt is trading red carpets for racetracks in his upcoming Formula 1 movie, and fans are already revving their engines in anticipation. The Oscar-winning actor stars as retired F1 driver Sonny Hayes, a character he calls “a pure racer,” in the yet-to-be-titled film backed by Lewis Hamilton and directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick).
In a recent interview, Pitt opened up about the physical and emotional challenges of playing a motorsport legend. “Getting behind the wheel was no joke,” he admitted. “The speed, the precision — it’s something else. But Sonny Hayes? He’s all heart. He’s a pure racer, the kind of guy who lives for the thrill and never really left the track mentally, even after retiring.”
The film, co-produced by Apple Original Films, follows Sonny Hayes as he returns to F1 to mentor a young up-and-coming driver, portrayed by Damson Idris. Shot during real F1 race weekends, the movie has been praised for its authenticity and groundbreaking production techniques. Pitt and Idris trained extensively in modified F2 cars to make the action scenes feel as real as possible.
Fans got their first glimpse of Pitt in character at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where scenes for the film were shot in collaboration with F1. According to insiders, Pitt was determined to do many of his own driving sequences, capturing the raw edge and intensity that define the sport.
With Pitt’s commitment to realism and a script shaped by real F1 insights, this film is shaping up to be more than just a racing movie — it’s a love letter to the sport.
The film is expected to release in summer 2025.
