Known as F1, the Formula 1 backed movie will see a fictional 11th team on the grid and Brad Pitt as a veteran driver assisting a new prodigy driver.

A teaser trailer was released during the British GP and offered a first glimpse of the action, drama and what to expect on and off the track. Seven-time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton has helped produce the film and how to accurately depict speed and racing on the big screen.

The feature film was originally announced by Apple in April 2022, with film crews spotted at multiple races across the 2023 and 2024 calendars. Brad Pitt and Damson Idris also shot scenes at the recent thrilling British GP at Silverstone which saw Sir Lewis Hamilton win.

What is F1 about?

Oscar winner Brad Pitt and Damson Idris feature on the grid alongside Formula 1 drivers in the trailer for F1 ( 
Image:
Apple)
Brad Pitt will portray Sonny Hayes, an experienced racer and former Formula One driver brought back into the championship by his friend and Formula One team owner and friend, played by Javier Bardem.

Hayes has been asked to come out of retirement to mentor rookie prodigy Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris, and drive for the Apex Grand Prix team.

Apex, shortened to APXGP, will be an 11th team on the grid and feature alongside established drivers and teams, including Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr.

The film’s teaser shows APXGP’s cars will compete against the ten real teams on the grid as well as each other. The film hints at a clash between the pair and a frustrated Damson.

F1 will be directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski and produced by blockbuster movie titan Jerry Bruckheimer. Oscar and Grammy winner Hans Zimmer will arrange the score.

In a press release by Formula 1, a spokesman said: “The new feature film is set in the exhilarating and cinematic world of Formula 1 and will immerse audiences in the spectacle of the most popular annual sports series, celebrating the skill and heroism of the drivers while showcasing the incredible challenge of competition in Formula 1.”

Who is in the cast of F1?

Oscar winner Brad Pitt and British actor Damson Idris lead a long cast list which includes Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, Tobias Menzies, Sarah Niles, Kim Bodnia and Samson Kayo.

We don’t know much about the individual characters, but we know that Javier will portray the team principal and The Crown’s Tobias appears to be a senior figure within the team.

With this movie featuring the world of F1, we will also likely see plenty of cameos from famous drivers and team principals. Three-time world champion Max Verstappen stands alongside Damson on the grid and former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner makes a fleeting cameo in the teaser trailer.

When will the F1 movie be released?

F1 will be released internationally on June 25, 2025, and two days later in the United States and Canada. The movie will be released in theatres and will also be available to view in IMAX.

Where has F1 been filmed?

Brad Pitt at Silverstone for filming of new flick F1 ( 
Image:
Hasan Bratic/DeFodi Images/REX/Shutterstock)
Eagle-eyed F1 fans will know that film crews were present at several F1 races in 2023, with the cast alongside the drivers for the national anthem at the 2023 British GP. Brad Pitt also drove an adapted F2 car around the circuit between practice sessions ahead of the race.

There are further reports more footage will be shot at races in Hungary, Belgium, Mexico and Las Vegas and its final race in Abu Dhabi. The shots aim to blend the production with the real-life races.

The production was impacted by the SAG-AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) strike in July 2023 and caused the film to be delayed. Sir Lewis Hamilton has also had a hand with the production and assisted with the script to ensure the film can be as realistic and accurate as possible.

Hamilton previously said in 2023 he was “excited to see it all coming together”. He remarked: “We want everyone to love it and to really feel that we encapsulate what the essence of this sport is all about – that’s our goal and I hope we can do you proud.”