The new Formula 1 film “F1: The Movie” has reached an important milestone: With a global pick-up result of over $ 545 million, he is now the most financially successful film in Hollywood star Brad Pitt’s career. Production thus surpasses the previous leader “World War Z” from 2013, which recorded around $ 540 million worldwide.
The film started in cinemas worldwide on June 25th and was staged by Joseph Kosinski, who is known for “Top Gun: Maverick”. Jerry Bruckheimer is a producer. In addition to Brad Pitt in the leading role, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon and Javier Bardem also play along.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton was involved as an executive producer and ensured a close connection of the film to the real Formula 1 world.
Formula 1: Great effort for filming “F1”
The plot revolves around the former Formula 1 pilot Sonny Hayes (played by Pitt), which gives a comeback for the fictional Team APXGP to support the talented rookie Joshua Pearce (played by Idris). It was shot at original locations during real Grand Prix weekends.
The fictional team even had its own box, and numerous real drivers from the past seasons had guest appearances.
Pitt and Idris drove modified Formula 2 vehicles for the shooting. After the filming was completed, Brad Pitt, now 61 years old, also had the opportunity to pilot the McLaren from the 2023 season on the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
In the official Formula 1 podcast “Beyond the Grid” Pitt described his impressions of the journey: “I really wanted to reach 200 miles per hour. It hurts a little-I was only three miles an hour on the straight.”
Pitt tests Formula 1 McLaren
He described the driving experience as “extraordinary” and emphasized the enormous fascination that comes from the combination of speed, downforce and concentration. “You are just completely present. It’s like a flow state.”
Pitt was also able to meet the McLaren driver Lando Norris: “I am still completely euphoric. I can’t thank Zak Brown and the team enough. I want to go back and improve my lap time.”