Before the theatrical release of the F1 movie, Brad Pitt had the opportunity to drive a McLaren Formula 1 car. On Thursday, he took the wheel of the 2023 McLaren MCL60 at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, the venue for the United States Grand Prix, where he reached a top speed of 197mph. This impressive feat came after heeding Lando Norris’ pointed advice not to “cock it up.”

Insight into Brad Pitt’s Role and Driving Experience

The F1 movie, set to release on 25 June 2025, features Brad Pitt as ‘Sonny Hayes,’ a fictional Formula 1 driver returning from retirement. Filming was integrated with real Formula 1 events, starting at the 2023 British Grand Prix and including appearances by current F1 stars playing themselves. Unlike the adapted Formula 2 car used during filming, Pitt had the chance to test the actual McLaren 2023 F1 vehicle.

In an appearance on BBC Radio 1, Pitt shared his experience with host Greg James, who asked:

“Ask me if I hit 200mph.”

Pitt replied,

“No… Three miles short.”

Achieving 197mph was no small accomplishment, and Pitt admitted he struggled to come down from the adrenaline rush afterward, revealing,

“I did not sleep for 36 hours afterwards. I was on such a high.”

He confirmed the car belonged to Norris, adding to the special nature of the experience.

The Role of Lando Norris and Alex Dunne During the McLaren Test

PlanetF1.com reports that alongside Pitt, Lando Norris and McLaren-backed F2 Championship leader Alex Dunne also participated in test sessions. Dunne split driving responsibilities with Norris over two days prior to Pitt’s run. Norris’ timesheet suggested he was skeptical of Pitt’s chances on Thursday.

Pitt acknowledged Norris’ doubts, saying,

“He didn’t have a lot of faith in me.”

He continued,

“Fair enough, like, the time I put up still wasn’t even close to his. No.”

Despite this, Norris offered crucial advice before Pitt’s drive: “Don’t cock it up!” Pitt confirmed this was wise counsel.

McLaren’s Ongoing Success in Formula 1

McLaren is currently on track to secure consecutive Constructors’ Championship titles, holding a commanding lead of 175 points over Mercedes after ten rounds of the 2025 F1 season. The McLaren MCL60’s performance continues to demonstrate the team’s competitiveness.

Pitt’s involvement with McLaren’s F1 machinery highlights the crossover between Hollywood and motorsport as the film’s release approaches, linking the excitement of real racing with cinematic storytelling.