The British Grand Prix wasn’t the only racing phenomenon to capture attention over the weekend. Formula 1 released the first official trailer for Brad Pitt’s hotly anticipated F1-themed movie, just hours before the racing kicked off at Silverstone on Sunday.
Aptly titled “F1,” the new film delves into the high-octane world of professional racing. Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a former F1 driver making his comeback to the sport. British actor Damson Idris plays his teammate at APXGP, a fictional team fighting to climb from their 11th place on the grid to pole position.
The two-minute teaser sets the premise of the movie with Hayes outlining their strategy: “Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston, and now McLaren all have us beat on the straights. Our shot is battling it in the turns. We need to build our car for combat.” The character played by Kerry Condon questions, “How am I supposed to make that safe?” to which Hayes responds, “Who said anything about safe?”
Accompanied by Queen’s iconic anthem “We Will Rock You,” the trailer showcases high-speed race cars flying around the track, promising an adrenaline-pumping experience. Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, the film boasts a realistic portrayal of the F1 world, created in close partnership with the F1 community, including all 10 teams, drivers, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), and race promoters.
Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton also served as a consultant for the movie, with his production company Dawn Apollo Films involved in the project. Hamilton has reportedly been in regular contact with Pitt to help him prepare for the lead role.
Filming for “F1” began at Silverstone in July 2023, with Pitt hitting the track during last year’s British Grand Prix. Shooting continued over the weekend at the British GP and will take place at several other races, concluding at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December. Despite the busy filming schedule, the cast, including Pitt, Idris, and co-star Javier Bardem, found time to enjoy Sunday’s race.
“F1” will be released globally on June 25, 2025, and will arrive in North American theaters on June 27, 2025. The global rollout will include IMAX theaters, ensuring that audiences can be fully immersed in the world of motorsport.
