Brad Pitt admits he could ‘cry’ as ending of $300million Lewis Hamilton F1 movie leaked
Hollywood star Brad Pitt has admitted feeling teary-eyed as production wrapped on his upcoming blockbuster Formula 1 movie. The 2025 film ‘F1’, which has been co-produced by Lewis Hamilton, shot its final scenes at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Leclerc and Russell will be on the podium at the end of the F1 movieGetty As seven-time world champion Hamilton’s epic tenure with Mercedes came to an end, so too did Pitt’s role on set as a racing driver. The Apple Studios production has been a regular feature in the paddock such is the enormous value placed on authenticity. True to form, the closing scenes were filmed in Abu Dhabi – the final venue on the F1 calendar – but footage of the event has since leaked. Pitt, who is starring as fictional F1 driver Sonny Hayes, was seen on the top step of the podium holding the race winner’s trophy. The prop had clearly been modelled on the prize handed to McLaren’s Lando Norris following his Yas Marina Circuit victory. Pitt was then flanked by Hamilton’s current and future teammates, which were Mercedes star George Russell and Ferrari‘s Charles Leclerc. Hamilton’s involvement triggered input from his now-former Mercedes team, who created the modified F2 cars used in the film. Ferrari are the world’s most famous and successful motorsport brand, with Leclerc ironically finishing on the podium in real life as well. In another image, Pitt was seen celebrating on the podium with Javier Bardem, who plays the owner of the fictional APXGP team. However, Skyfall villain Bardem’s inclusion provided further clues about the film’s plot, having been without any constructor trophy. Bardem was holding Pitt’s race winners’ trophyGetty The likeness to Lando Norris’ was apparent but there was no second trophy to celebrate a constructors victoryGetty In contrast, McLaren CEO Zak Brown was gleefully clutching a second piece of silverware alongside Norris and his trophy on Sunday. Pitt’s teammate in the film, young phenomenon Joshua Pierce, played by Damson Idris, is also conspicuous by his absence on stage. Pitt’s theatrical stunt in Las Vegas last month saw his character crash in qualifying and miss out on the Sin City race. This, coupled with Idris failing to score a podium in Abu Dhabi suggests it’s highly likely APXGP are not winning the constructors. In contrast, Red Bull may have grounds to support their fear that the Mercedes-backed project will lead to a negative portrayal. F1 producer Jerry Bruckheimer said: “The interesting part is that, since we teamed up with Mercedes, the other teams said ‘Wait a second, this movie is going to be about Mercedes and we’re going to look bad’. Leclerc had managed to put on a smile for the Hollywood movieGetty The Ferrari driver looked a lot unhappier moments before on the real F1 podiumGetty “Red Bull said ‘We’re going to be the villains’. “It took us three years to convince them that they weren’t going to be the villains and we finally got to a place where all the teams are really leaning into us to really help us.” F1 is tracking to be one of the most expensive films ever made, with reports claiming that the budget has surpassed $300million (£235m). Bruckheimer disputed that price tag but conceded recently that input from seven-time champion Hamilton has raised costs. Lead actor Pitt, who was been the chief beneficiary of the Brit’s advice, was asked on Sunday if he now has more respect for drivers. He told Sky Sports F1: “I’ve got so much respect for these guys. What these drivers and cars can do. It’s off the charts. “I’ve been having the time of my life. I wish it could go on another year. I might shed a tear! It’s really good fun. “Our director said put actors in the car and bed ourselves in the weekend and make the best racing movie. I dare say we have done it.” Pitt’s Hayes character returned to F1 as a mentor but will likely finish the film on topGetty The 60-year-old then asked Sky F1’s chief reporter Ted Kravitz if he wanted to join Russell and Leclerc in appearing in the film. He said: “You want in? A little cameo?” Kravitz, after pondering for a split-second, replied: “No, I’m cool doing what I am doing.”
Hollywood star Brad Pitt has admitted feeling teary-eyed as production wrapped on his upcoming blockbuster Formula 1 movie.
The 2025 film ‘F1’, which has been co-produced by Lewis Hamilton, shot its final scenes at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
As seven-time world champion Hamilton’s epic tenure with Mercedes came to an end, so too did Pitt’s role on set as a racing driver.
The Apple Studios production has been a regular feature in the paddock such is the enormous value placed on authenticity.
True to form, the closing scenes were filmed in Abu Dhabi – the final venue on the F1 calendar – but footage of the event has since leaked.
Pitt, who is starring as fictional F1 driver Sonny Hayes, was seen on the top step of the podium holding the race winner’s trophy.
The prop had clearly been modelled on the prize handed to McLaren’s Lando Norris following his Yas Marina Circuit victory.
Pitt was then flanked by Hamilton’s current and future teammates, which were Mercedes star George Russell and Ferrari‘s Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton’s involvement triggered input from his now-former Mercedes team, who created the modified F2 cars used in the film.
Ferrari are the world’s most famous and successful motorsport brand, with Leclerc ironically finishing on the podium in real life as well.
In another image, Pitt was seen celebrating on the podium with Javier Bardem, who plays the owner of the fictional APXGP team.
However, Skyfall villain Bardem’s inclusion provided further clues about the film’s plot, having been without any constructor trophy.
In contrast, McLaren CEO Zak Brown was gleefully clutching a second piece of silverware alongside Norris and his trophy on Sunday.
Pitt’s teammate in the film, young phenomenon Joshua Pierce, played by Damson Idris, is also conspicuous by his absence on stage.
Pitt’s theatrical stunt in Las Vegas last month saw his character crash in qualifying and miss out on the Sin City race.
This, coupled with Idris failing to score a podium in Abu Dhabi suggests it’s highly likely APXGP are not winning the constructors.
In contrast, Red Bull may have grounds to support their fear that the Mercedes-backed project will lead to a negative portrayal.
F1 producer Jerry Bruckheimer said: “The interesting part is that, since we teamed up with Mercedes, the other teams said ‘Wait a second, this movie is going to be about Mercedes and we’re going to look bad’.
“Red Bull said ‘We’re going to be the villains’.
“It took us three years to convince them that they weren’t going to be the villains and we finally got to a place where all the teams are really leaning into us to really help us.”
F1 is tracking to be one of the most expensive films ever made, with reports claiming that the budget has surpassed $300million (£235m).
Bruckheimer disputed that price tag but conceded recently that input from seven-time champion Hamilton has raised costs.
Lead actor Pitt, who was been the chief beneficiary of the Brit’s advice, was asked on Sunday if he now has more respect for drivers.
He told Sky Sports F1: “I’ve got so much respect for these guys. What these drivers and cars can do. It’s off the charts.
“I’ve been having the time of my life. I wish it could go on another year. I might shed a tear! It’s really good fun.
“Our director said put actors in the car and bed ourselves in the weekend and make the best racing movie. I dare say we have done it.”
The 60-year-old then asked Sky F1’s chief reporter Ted Kravitz if he wanted to join Russell and Leclerc in appearing in the film.
He said: “You want in? A little cameo?”
Kravitz, after pondering for a split-second, replied: “No, I’m cool doing what I am doing.”
