New film aims to accelerate Formula One’s popularity, especially in the U.S.
Brad Pitt’s upcoming Formula One movie, F1, is set to debut internationally in cinemas and IMAX on June 25 and in North America on June 27 — and according to director Joseph Kosinski, the film wouldn’t have been possible without seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Kosinski, best known for directing Top Gun: Maverick, revealed during a media briefing at the Canadian Grand Prix that Hamilton played a central role in bringing authenticity to the project. The British F1 star not only serves as a co-producer but also brought his production company, Dawn Apollo Films, on board.
“I emailed Lewis and told him, ‘I want to tell a story in your world and make it as authentic as possible. Will you help?’” Kosinski recalled. “Fortunately, he said yes. He had actually talked to me earlier about a possible role in Top Gun: Maverick, so we already had a connection.”
Hamilton, who recently made headlines with his move to Ferrari after a dominant career with Mercedes, served as a technical consultant and authenticity advisor for the film. He even guided both Pitt and co-star Damson Idris on racing nuances. For instance, at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Hamilton advised that if Pitt’s character needed to allow another driver to pass under a blue flag in a realistic way, “it would only happen at turn six.”
Such granular insights from a seasoned racer added realism no scriptwriter could manufacture.
Hamilton also helped shape the film’s narrative and inspired a key scene where Pitt’s character explains his spiritual connection to racing. “His involvement has been incredible,” Kosinski said. “We couldn’t have made the film without him.”
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer echoed the sentiment, noting Hamilton’s commitment to authenticity — even in audio. At Silverstone, for example, Hamilton corrected a detail, pointing out that a corner supposedly taken in second gear sounded like it was in fourth. “It’s that level of precision that shaped the entire film,” said Bruckheimer.
Hamilton himself has praised Pitt’s on-track performance, adding that the film captures the most realistic depiction of Formula One ever seen on screen.
With the success of Netflix’s Drive to Survive having already introduced a massive new audience to F1 — especially in the United States — the film is expected to build on that momentum. “There’s this idea that Drive to Survive brought America to F1, but I think there’s still a huge audience out there that doesn’t know anything about the sport,” Kosinski said. “This film has the potential to reach them.”
Backed by Apple and filmed during actual race weekends with full support from Formula One management, F1 promises to bring a new level of cinematic immersion to motorsport — with Brad Pitt at the wheel and Lewis Hamilton behind the scenes.
