Brad Pitt’s upcoming Hollywood production centered around Formula One is expected to propel the sport’s already surging popularity to unprecedented levels, according to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. The currently untitled film, set to be shot during the British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone, will feature a fictional 11th team known as “APX GP,” complete with a dedicated garage and pitwall stand.
In a bid to further capitalize on the success of the Netflix docu-series “Drive to Survive,” Formula One aims to expand its appeal to new audiences. Hamilton, who is serving as a co-producer and offering his guidance to the project, believes the movie will exceed the impact of the popular series. The film is being directed by Joseph Kosinski, renowned for his work on “Top Gun: Maverick,” alongside producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
Despite some reservations regarding the age disparity between Pitt, 59, and the oldest current F1 driver, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso at 41, Hamilton dismissed concerns, highlighting Pitt’s youthful appearance and fitness. Hamilton remarked, “Brad looks like he’s aging backwards. He looks great for his age. He’s super-fit, he’s been training… at the end of the day, it’s a movie, so there will be a Hollywood element to it that will make it believable.”
Pitt will be seen behind the wheel of a modified Formula 2 car, impressing Hamilton during practice sessions at both Silverstone and a track in Los Angeles. Hamilton recalled watching Pitt’s laps, stating, “He was just coming by flat out. We did do a day together at a track in LA, and for someone who hasn’t raced, he’s definitely got a keen eye. He loves watching MotoGP, so he’s always been a racing enthusiast. He had a knack for the lines, and he was fully on it, which was good to see.”
Hamilton anticipates that the movie will effectively capture the essence of the high-speed sport, where cars reach top speeds of 370 kilometers per hour. He expects the film’s portrayal of the speed and intensity to surpass the experience of watching Formula One races on television. With Kosinski’s expertise in delivering breathtaking visuals, as demonstrated in his work with fighter jets in “Top Gun: Maverick,” Hamilton believes that the incorporation of cutting-edge technology will elevate the movie to an extraordinary level.
As anticipation builds for Pitt’s Formula One film, the Silverstone track will bear witness to the fusion of Hollywood glamour and the adrenaline-pumping world of racing. The movie is poised to capture the imagination of both racing enthusiasts and moviegoers, offering a thrilling cinematic experience that showcases the exhilarating speed and intensity of Formula One.