As Formula 1 makes its highly anticipated big-screen debut with the release of *F1 The Movie* this week, here are five key aspects highlighted by Sky Sports F1 to keep an eye on in the new blockbuster.
The film, starring Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, incorporated a fictional 11th team into the real Formula 1 paddock, with filming taking place during actual races in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Pitt leads a star-studded cast that includes Damson Idris and Kerry Condon. The project is helmed by the acclaimed director-producer duo Joseph Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer.
The Formula 1 community embraced the project, with Lewis Hamilton serving as a producer. He played a crucial role in encouraging fellow drivers to support the filming process, which occurred while they were competing for world championships.
With the film, designed to captivate both dedicated F1 fans and newcomers, having been released in the UK on Wednesday, here are some elements to note without giving away spoilers!
How Hamilton Influenced the Movie
Lewis Hamilton`s name has been closely associated with the project since its early stages became public knowledge in 2021.
The seven-time world champion joined as a producer, and long before production began in 2023, he was instrumental in convincing F1 bosses and fellow drivers that allowing Hollywood access to the paddock and beyond was a beneficial idea.
Hamilton had consistently stated he would offer guidance to director Joseph Kosinski and lead producer Jerry Bruckheimer to ensure the film`s accuracy. More specifics about his involvement have emerged surrounding the release.
Speaking earlier in June, Kosinski revealed the depth of technical input Hamilton provided for a scene set at Hungary`s legendary Hungaroring circuit.
`He was involved in obviously all the technical details, just fascinating advice from him,` Kosinski said. `At Hungary, for instance, he said, `if Brad’s going to let someone pass during a blue flag and he wants it to be as tight as possible, he’s going to only do that at turn six.`
`That kind of detail on these beats from a seven-time world champion who lives and breathes this world every day, I couldn’t have gotten that from anywhere else.`
Hamilton`s impact wasn`t limited to technical advice. Kosinski also shared that the British driver inspired a scene where Pitt`s character, Hayes, discusses his passion and motivation for racing.
He said: `Lewis also contributed to the story. I mean, there’s a part in the film where Sonny Hayes talks about why he races, and almost the spiritual side of it.
`And that also was inspired by a conversation with Lewis. His involvement has been amazing. We couldn’t make the film without him.`
“Unsung Heroes!” – Praise for Sky`s Brundle and Croft
Several members of the Sky Sports F1 team make appearances as themselves in the movie, but commentators David Croft and Martin Brundle are featured prominently throughout.
The commentary duo plays a vital role, especially for viewers less familiar with F1, by explaining the unfolding events in the film.
Kosinski explained that the concept of using them to provide information was inspired by their real-life F1 commentary style.
The director noted: `What you notice, if you listen to their commentary, in every (real) race, very subtly, they do cover the basics of Formula 1 as they commentate on a race.`
`So that if you’re tuning in for the first time, you’re getting those fundamentals. But at the same time, if you’ve been watching for a long time, you’re getting the detail and the specificity that engages the fans that know it all.`
`So, I was really inspired by how they call their real races. And so we did a lot of sessions with them. I really think they’re the unsung heroes of this movie.`
`If you watch it, you see how they kind of carry an audience that knows nothing through this story but do it in a way that feels very authentic and it’s very much their own voice.`
“Cheating” Concerns Only Seen by “F1 Eyes”
During a screening of the film shown to F1 media at the Canadian Grand Prix in June, a concern was raised the following day in a press conference with the filmmakers: that certain plot elements might appear to glorify bending the sport`s rules.
Kosinski clarified that all racing scenarios depicted were based on actual events from F1 history, while acknowledging they pushed the boundaries for dramatic effect.
He said: `That was something that we talked a lot with Lewis about, and the line, right? We never wanted Sonny to cheat. We wanted to find how far can you push it so that you can get right to the edge.`
`The hard thing was, how do we go all the way to the line without crossing it? And that was a big challenge in these racing scenes.`
F1 president Stefano Domenicali dismissed the concern, suggesting it would only be noticed by those watching with “very F1 eyes,” while audiences less familiar with the sport would simply appreciate the drama.
`I understand it, but that’s very F1 eyes,` Domenicali said. `If you look to the audience that will watch the movie, this will not be perceived.`
`It’s perceived as racing action, authentic fighting, and that’s what will come out. I’m pretty sure about it.`
Senna Feature Among Nods to F1 History
Despite being set in the present day, the film cleverly incorporates references to iconic figures and locations from the sport`s history.
Archival footage was skillfully used to weave three-time world champion and F1 legend Ayrton Senna into the narrative.
`I’ve been living in this world for four years, talking to Lewis,` Kosinski explained. `Every F1 driver talks about the era of the early 1990s and those engines, and Ayrton Senna obviously is an icon.`
`So, for me, the opportunity to tell a story featuring Senna and to hear the sound of those V12s was just an amazing opportunity.`
`And a fun moment for those of you who really understand the history of the sport.`
A scene in the movie subtly features the banking that was once part of Italy`s famous Monza circuit, a track prominently featured in the 1966 F1-inspired movie *Grand Prix*.
Kosinski added: `Grand Prix and Le Mans for me are kind of the touchstones. Those movies are now almost 60 years old, but you can still watch them and still marvel at the cinematography and the feeling of being there, because you really were.`
`The whole practical nature of this film was inspired by those classics. I’m glad you noticed the Monza banking scene. That’s one I wanted to get in there just as a nod because those really were the inspiration.`
Will There Be a Sequel?
Have you seen the movie and are left wanting more?
While the immediate focus might be real-life racing, perhaps at the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix, there could potentially be more big-screen action in the future.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer mentioned that he and Kosinski are open to creating a sequel, and that Brad Pitt would be eager to spend more time on the track.
He said: `That’s up to the audience. If they show up, then sure, we’d love to do another one.`
`And so would Brad, I’m sure. He hated getting out of that car, I’ve got to tell you.`
`That was my happiest day and his saddest day! I’m so glad he got out of there and everybody was safe, but he wanted to get back in right away.`
Gilbert Pendleton