Imagine stepping onto the hallowed grounds of Silverstone Circuit, surrounded by 120,000 roaring fans, knowing you’re about to film a scene that could make or break your movie. That’s exactly what Brad Pitt experienced while shooting the highly anticipated F1 film during a live race weekend. Apple’s behind-the-scenes feature, released after the movie’s global debut on Apple TV+ on December 12, pulls back the curtain on this unprecedented cinematic endeavor. But here’s where it gets controversial: How did the production team manage to seamlessly integrate into the high-stakes world of Formula 1 without disrupting the precision of a race weekend? And this is the part most people miss—the sheer pressure and privilege of filming alongside real F1 drivers and amidst the electrifying energy of the grand prix.
Brad Pitt, who stars as veteran driver Sonny Hayes, described his first day on set as nothing short of surreal. “My first moment of filming is at Silverstone—race weekend in front of 120,000 fans. It was just surreal. It’s absolutely surreal,” he recalled. Co-star Damson Idris, playing young racer Joshua Pearce, echoed the sentiment: “To just see that, we knew we would create something that’s going to stand the test of time.”
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, fresh off the success of Top Gun: Maverick, the film achieved unparalleled immersion by securing unprecedented access to the world of Formula 1. “Silverstone is where the first Formula 1 race was held, and it has all this history,” Kosinski explained. “There’s no way we could have made this film without the tight partnership with Formula 1. The access to the races, the track—even shooting during the national anthem, standing next to the drivers—was crucial.”
But was this level of access too intrusive? Pitt admitted, “We had to prove to F1 that we could slot ourselves into the race weekend without disrupting their programming. It’s military precision, down to the minute. So there’s a lot of pressure just to get it right.” With only one take available for key scenes, the stakes were sky-high. Idris shared a particularly tense moment: “I had Brad on my left and Verstappen on my right during the national anthem. I remember asking, ‘Do you put the race suit up or down?’ and he just said, ‘Either’s fine.’”
For Kosinski, the experience was unforgettable. “It was one of the most intense days I’ve ever had on a film set,” he said. “But the energy of the crowd, the cars, and standing next to the F1 drivers with Damson and Brad—it’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
Here’s the question we’re left pondering: Did the film’s bold approach enhance the F1 experience or risk overshadowing the sport itself? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. And while you’re at it, take our 5-minute survey to help shape the future of Motorsport.com. Your opinion matters—let’s keep the conversation racing!
