Global audiences have flocked to theaters to watch F1: The Movie, a film that has sparked widespread interest since its release, especially among Formula 1 fans. Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton provided fresh details about the movie during a media session ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, revealing the 1970s F1 icon James Hunt as a major inspiration for the film’s main character, Sonny Hayes.

Tracing the James Hunt Influence Behind Sonny Hayes

F1: The Movie began filming at the 2023 British Grand Prix but experienced delays due to a Hollywood strike, with production resuming only at the end of the year after the racing season had finished. Throughout 2024, the film crew was spotted at prominent race venues including Silverstone, Las Vegas, and Abu Dhabi, capturing key moments later seen on screen. As an executive producer, Hamilton has fielded numerous questions about the project, particularly regarding the fictional lead character.

During a pre-race press conference, Hamilton explained that writer Ehren Kruger drew from several real-life racing figures to create Sonny Hayes.

“I’m sure he was looking at people like James Hunt,”

Hamilton said.

He added that the goal was to develop a character with an appealing mix of traits, inspired by drivers from the era of Ayrton Senna, combining coolness, composure, and leadership.

“I think he looked at a combination of many of those drivers, and I’ll say the James Hunt vibe was probably — I don’t know if that’s what he ultimately chose, but that’s the character I feel that resembles mostly to him: Very cool, calm, good-looking cat, and elder statesman within the team.”

Behind the Scenes: Hamilton’s Role in Bringing the F1 Film to Life

Lewis Hamilton’s involvement went beyond creative advice; he played a key role in initiating the film. Director Joseph Kosinski, fresh from completing Top Gun: Maverick, reached out to Hamilton about producing a Formula 1 movie. Hamilton had previously hoped to star in Maverick but was unable to due to scheduling conflicts with racing.

“When we were working on the script, when we started talking about it four years ago, I mean, ultimately, Joe called me and told me that he was thinking about doing this movie, and he’s just finished off Maverick, and we were talking about me being in Maverick back then,”

Hamilton recalled during the Austrian event.

He continued, describing how discussions progressed with key figures in the sport, including Stefano Domenicali and Greg Maffei, aiming to create a project that both captured the spirit of F1 and appealed to wider audiences.

“So to start talking about a movie, and then him asking me whether I thought this was a good idea, and then connecting him with Stefano [Domenicali] and Greg back then, Greg Maffei, and getting everybody in the room, and everybody talking about how we could progress this cause.”

Hamilton admitted that initially, he found it challenging to visualize the final cinematic product from the script alone, but experiencing the premiere was a revelatory moment for him.

He described attending the film’s launch in Times Square, where the sight of Brad Pitt’s image alongside a Formula 1 car and logo was unforgettable.

Hamilton also appreciated watching the audience’s reaction alongside the movie’s cast and producers, despite having seen the film multiple times during post-production.

“I was literally like, ‘I’ve seen it already, so I’m gonna leave and go to dinner.’ But then I decided to stay, and I watched this whole thing with everybody. And to see everyone’s reactions through it was one of the coolest things.”

Reception and Legacy: The Film’s Place Within Formula 1’s History

While some motorsport critics have called out factual inaccuracies in the film, Hamilton emphasized that the movie purposely draws inspiration from the sport’s most legendary figures and moments. Characters and scenes echo famous personalities such as James Hunt and Ayrton Senna, alongside dramatic racing incidents recognizable to long-time fans.

F1: The Movie is currently screening worldwide, with the official North American release scheduled for June 27. As fans continue to engage with the film, it stands poised to deepen public interest in Formula 1 and its vibrant history.