Lewis Hamilton has opened up about Brad Pitt’s unexpected talent behind the wheel while preparing for an upcoming Formula 1-themed movie. The film, produced by Apple Original Films and co-produced by Hamilton himself, centers on Pitt’s character Sonny Hayes making a dramatic return to F1, joining the fictional APXGP team alongside rookie Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris.
Ahead of the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton shared that he took part in a track day with Pitt in Los Angeles to help the actor get comfortable with F1 driving techniques. This hands-on experience allowed Hamilton to assess Pitt’s natural feel for the track and driving lines, crucial elements for portraying an F1 driver authentically.
Hamilton Observes Pitt’s Early Driving Skills and Commitment
During their time together, Hamilton quickly noticed that Pitt was not a novice when it came to high-speed driving. Having worked as a driver coach himself earlier in his career, Hamilton could compare Pitt’s skills to those of other drivers he had trained. He found that Pitt showed a clear understanding of racing lines and track awareness, making the preparation process smoother.
I remember on the first days that I got to work with Brad, we were at Silverstone… We actually did a bit of a track day together in LA,
Hamilton said in Montreal on Thursday.
And I got to drive and he drove and straight away I already knew that you could sense he already kind of knew where the lines were. He had a bit of a feel for it already, so it wasn’t completely alien.
You know, I worked as a driver coach when I was a kid just to make a bit of money on the side whilst I was racing and I had some pretty bad drivers along the way who just didn’t know where they were on track and so straight away you could see he had a concept of what it is, a driving line.
And I didn’t actually get to drive on track with Damson, but they both went through training. They were both super open-minded and really deep-dived into what it takes to be a racing driver, which was really cool to see. And I think through that process, it was amazing to speak to Brad, to see his shock.
Pitt’s Reaction to Driving Formula 2 Cars and Newfound Respect for F1
Hamilton also revealed that Pitt was deeply impressed by the physical demands of driving in competitive racing conditions. After experiencing a Formula 2 car for the first time, Pitt sent Hamilton a message expressing his surprise at the challenge of transitioning through different racing categories and the toll it takes on a driver’s body.
He’s kind of like, ‘jeez, what my body is going through as I’m going through these different categories’ and particularly when he got to Formula 2, and he’s like, ‘Damn’,
Hamilton recalled.
He text me after the test, like ‘my appreciation for what you drivers do is even higher than it already was having now experienced this.’
Film Preview and Upcoming Release Date
The movie was premiered to the F1 paddock ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, allowing drivers and team members to get a first look at the portrayal of their sport on the big screen. Its public release is scheduled for June 25, offering fans worldwide a chance to see Pitt’s portrayal of a racer making a comeback amid the high stakes of Formula 1.
This collaboration between Lewis Hamilton and Brad Pitt bridges the worlds of Hollywood and motorsport, giving a rare glimpse into the demanding preparation required for authentic racing scenes. Hamilton’s involvement as co-producer and his first-hand guidance highlight the effort to capture the sport’s intensity accurately, while Pitt’s reaction underscores the physical and mental challenges facing F1 drivers.