The popularity of F1 since the Netflix series has led to a new film, starring movie star Brad Pitt as a driver, with principal photography to be shot during race weekends.
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A new fictional film about the world of Formula One – starring actor Brad Pitt, with seven-time world champion Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton as a producer – will shoot during race weekends of the 2023 championship.
Respected F1 website Motorsport.com has confirmed the film will shoot principal photography at grands prix next year, after receiving the stamp of approval from F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
It’s believed Brad Pitt plays an older F1 driver who returns to the sport to mentor a young driver – a similar storyline to the 2001 flop Driven, which starred Sylvester Stallone as a former Indycar champion.
“I know we’re going to make the best racing movie that’s ever existed, both visually and we’re going to work on making sure we pull on the heartstrings of all those fans.”
Above: Lewis Hamilton, Brad Pitt, and Tim Cook at the US F1 Grand Prix.
F1 boss Stefano Domenicali says the film will build on the growth spurred on by the Netflix series Drive to Survive.
“You will see a lot of things will happen next year on the preparation, and it’s exciting because all the teams will be involved, the drivers, everyone. So it’s fantastic,” Mr Domenicali told Motorsport.com about the new film.
“We are already planning all the activity and the activation that needs to be done in a real race weekend, we’re going to start in the second half of the season for the production.
“We are still working on the details, because it’s just the start of the plan, but you will see it will be quite interesting, I would say.”
Above: F1 commentator snubbed by Brad Pitt at the US F1 Grand Prix.
The production has the backing of tech giant Apple – with CEO Tim Cook visiting the US Grand Prix in Austin last week – while Joseph Kosinski has been named by entertainment publication Deadline as director (Top Gun: Maverick, Tron: Legacy).
Brad Pitt was also in attendance at the F1 race, causing controversy by snubbing an interview on the grid with commentator Martin Brundle.
Jerry Bruckheimer – responsible for some of the biggest films and TV shows in history, including Days of Thunder, Bad Boys, Pirates of the Caribbean, both Top Gun movies – is on board as a producer, alongside F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, who is said to be providing consultation.
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