The high-profile Hollywood project commonly referred to as the "2023 F1 film"—officially titled F1—is a feature-length action drama directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Brad Pitt alongside Damson Idris. Produced by Apple Original Films in collaboration with seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, the movie achieved unprecedented access by filming during actual Grand Prix weekends starting in 2023.
Overview and Origins of the F1 Movie Project
The origins of the F1 feature film trace back to late 2021 and early 2022, following the commercial and critical success of Joseph Kosinski's Top Gun: Maverick. Seeking to replicate the visceral, practical filmmaking techniques that defined that aviation blockbuster, Kosinski teamed with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, screenwriter Ehren Kruger, and Plan B Entertainment to develop an authentic motorsport drama. Apple Original Films acquired the package in June 2022 following an intense bidding war among major studios and streaming platforms.
A foundational element of the project was securing full support from Formula 1 management, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), and all ten existing Formula 1 teams. Unlike prior Hollywood racing movies that relied heavily on replica tracks or computer-generated imagery (CGI), the production team negotiated permissions to integrate directly into the official live broadcast environment of the Formula 1 World Championship.
Seven-time World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton signed on as an executive producer through his production company, Dawn Apollo Films. Hamilton served as a primary technical consultant throughout script development, pre-production, and principal photography. His primary directive was ensuring the narrative captured the genuine physical demands, engineering complexities, team dynamics, and competitive nuances of contemporary elite motorsport, avoiding common Hollywood tropes or technical inaccuracies.
Production Timeline and the 2023 Filming Campaign
The year 2023 marked the public debut and most crucial operational phase of the movie's production, which is why the project became widely known as the "2023 F1 film" across news media and racing fanbases.
| 2023 Production Timeline Overview |
|---|
| July 2023: On-track filming begins at British GP |
| July 2023: APXGP garage and pit-wall setup revealed |
| July 2023: SAG-AFTRA strike pauses actor participation |
| Late 2023–2024: Practical track filming resumes globally |
The 2023 British Grand Prix Debut
Principal photography officially began in July 2023 at the British Grand Prix hosted at the iconic Silverstone Circuit. To establish the fictional eleventh team on the grid, named APXGP (Apex Grand Prix), the production team installed a fully functioning pit garage nestled directly between the real garages of Ferrari and Mercedes.
The APXGP setup included complete motorhomes in the paddock, realistic pit-stop gantries, technical telemetry stations, and authentic team apparel sponsored by legitimate global brands. During the Silverstone race weekend, the fictional team's custom-built race cars rolled out onto the track between official F1 practice and qualifying sessions, driven by professional stunt drivers as well as actors Brad Pitt and Damson Idris.
Impact of the 2023 Hollywood Industry Strikes
Production encountered a major interruption in mid-July 2023 due to the SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America (WGA) strikes. While SAG-AFTRA union rules prevented Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, and other SAG union cast members from performing on camera during the strike period, Kosinski and his core crew continued capturing atmospheric track footage, ambient crowd shots, car-to-car stunts, and racing sequences using professional drivers at various European circuits.
Once labor disputes were resolved in late 2023, primary photography resumed in full force. Filming extended into the 2023 season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, followed by extensive shoots throughout 2024 at major global venues including the Daytona International Speedway (during the Rolex 24), the Hungaroring, Spa-Francorchamps, and the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
Cast, Characters, and Narrative Plot
The story of F1 bridges the gap between different eras of professional auto racing, balancing legacy, redemption, and modern technological competition.
Narrative Core
The film centers on Sonny Hayes (played by Brad Pitt), a talented Formula 1 driver from the 1990s whose promising career was abruptly halted by a devastating crash on track. After spending decades competing in obscure lower-tier racing series and sports car endurance events, Hayes is approached by an old friend and struggling F1 team owner, Ruben (played by Javier Bardem).
Ruben’s team, APXGP, sits at the bottom of the Constructors' Championship standings, suffering from unreliable machinery and internal friction. Hayes is brought back into the high-stakes world of Formula 1 not only to drive, but to mentor APXGP's promising rookie prodigy, Joshua Pearce (played by Damson Idris). The core drama explores the intense rivalry and eventual partnership between the veteran driver fighting his own physical limits and the fiery young rookie seeking to make his mark on the sport.
Primary Cast Breakdown
- Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes: A veteran driver returning to Formula 1 decades after a career-altering accident.
- Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce: A high-potential rookie driver for APXGP struggling under intense media pressure.
- Javier Bardem as Ruben: The founder and owner of the struggling APXGP racing team.
- Kerry Condon as Kate: APXGP’s brilliant technical director and chief race engineer, responsible for car development.
- Tobias Menzies as a senior team executive overseeing commercial and operational interests.
- Sarah Niles as Joshua Pearce's mother, navigating her son's rapid rise to global stardom.
- Kim Bodnia and Samson Kayo in key supporting roles within the racing paddock and pit crew.
APXGP Team Structure (Narrative)
- Team Owner: Ruben (Javier Bardem)
- Technical Director: Kate (Kerry Condon)
- Driver 1: Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt)
- Driver 2: Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris)
- Technical Director: Kate (Kerry Condon)
Cameos and Real-World Realism
To ensure maximum authenticity, actual Formula 1 drivers, team principals, and media personalities appear as themselves throughout the film. Current grid stars—including Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Fernando Alonso, and Lando Norris—share screen time and paddock environments with the fictional characters. Real commentators, pit-lane reporters, and team bosses like Günther Steiner were also filmed giving realistic reactions to APXGP's performance.
Technical Innovation: Achieving On-Track Realism
The distinguishing technical achievement of the film lies in how its racing sequences were captured. Rejecting extensive CGI greenscreens and artificial physics models, the production built real, high-speed camera cars capable of operating under live track conditions.
Modified Race Chassis Development
The production team could not use actual current-generation Formula 1 cars due to strict FIA technical regulations, intellectual property protections, and the immense cost and complexity of operating modern hybrid power units. Instead, working closely with Carlin Motorsport and the Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, the production modified several Formula 2 chassis.
These custom race vehicles were fitted with tailored carbon-fiber bodywork designed to mimic the aerodynamics, long wheelbase, and ground-effect floor structures of contemporary Formula 1 machinery. Underneath the bodywork, the cars utilized reliable, high-performance engines capable of achieving speeds exceeding 180 mph (290 km/h) on track, providing accurate visual dynamics, suspension compression, and tire deformation.
- Formula 2 Base Architecture
- Custom Mercedes-AMG Aerodynamic Bodywork
- Miniaturized Sony Venice 6K Camera Rigs
- Result: APXGP High-Speed Cinematic Race Car
Custom Camera Equipment and Cockpit Rigs
Building on camera technologies created for Top Gun: Maverick, Sony and the film’s cinematographers designed specialized, miniaturized 6K digital cinema cameras (based on the Sony Venice architecture).
- Integrated Mounting Systems: Up to 15 camera positions were built directly into the chassis bodywork, nose cone, sidepods, rear wing, and roll-hoop mirror assemblies of each APXGP car.
- Remote Operation: Directors could control camera angles, focus, and tilt remotely from the pit wall via high-frequency microwave transmission links while the car was traveling at full speed.
- Weight Distribution: Camera units were designed to be lightweight so as not to dangerously compromise the weight distribution or aerodynamic balance of the race car.
Actor Driver Training
Both Brad Pitt and Damson Idris underwent intensive performance driving courses over several months prior to principal photography. Training began in high-powered sports cars and open-wheel Formula 4 cars, gradually moving up to Formula 3 and customized Formula 2 machinery. While professional racing drivers performed high-risk, tight-pack stunt maneuvers, Pitt and Idris drove their respective vehicles at genuine racing speeds during dedicated track sessions to capture realistic neck strain, G-force facial compression, and steering wheel inputs.
Key Production Specifications and Overview
The following breakdown outlines the primary technical, creative, and organizational parameters of the film project:
| Category | Details / Specifications |
|---|---|
| Official Title | F1 |
| Director | Joseph Kosinski |
| Screenwriter | Ehren Kruger |
| Lead Cast | Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies |
| Key Producers | Jerry Bruckheimer, Joseph Kosinski, Lewis Hamilton, Brad Pitt, Chad Oman |
| Production Partners | Apple Original Films, Plan B Entertainment, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Dawn Apollo Films |
| Distribution | Warner Bros. Pictures (Theatrical) / Apple TV+ (Streaming) |
| Primary Base Cars | Modified Formula 2 Chassis (Engineered with Mercedes-AMG F1) |
| Camera Systems | Customized Sony Venice 6K Miniaturized Rigs |
| Fictional Team Name | APXGP (Apex Grand Prix) |
| Primary Filming Venues | Silverstone, Hungaroring, Spa-Francorchamps, Abu Dhabi, Las Vegas, Daytona |
| Theatrical Format | IMAX 70mm, Digital IMAX, Dolby Cinema, Standard Premium Large Formats |
Release Strategy and Streaming Availability
Apple Original Films established a hybrid release strategy for F1, pairing an expansive global theatrical run with eventual streaming availability.
Theatrical Distribution via Warner Bros.
To maximize the visual impact of its high-speed practical photography, Apple partnered with Warner Bros. Pictures for worldwide theatrical distribution. The film was slated for a wide theatrical rollout starting internationally on June 25, 2025, and across North America on June 27, 2025.
The release prioritized Premium Large Formats (PLF), including IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and 4DX. The theatrical window was structured to allow the film several weeks of exclusivity in theaters before transitioning to home digital platforms.
Streaming Home on Apple TV+
Following its theatrical and transactional Video-on-Demand (VOD) windows, the film becomes exclusively available to subscribers on the Apple TV+ streaming service.
Narrative Feature vs. Documentary Series
It is helpful to distinguish the narrative film F1 from documentary media covering the sport:
- F1 (The Motion Picture): A scripted, fictional drama featuring actors operating within a real-world racing environment.
- Drive to Survive (Netflix): An unscripted sports documentary series following real drivers, managers, and team rivalries across actual championship seasons.
- **Formula 1 Official Season Reviews: ** Direct documentary records published by Formula One Management detailing race results and technical developments.
Operational Challenges During Filming
Integrating a Hollywood film production into an active FIA Formula 1 World Championship presented unique operational and regulatory challenges that required strict protocols.
| Live Race Weekend Integration Protocol |
|---|
| FIA Safety Regulations & Slot Allocation |
| • Filming restricted to pre-approved gaps |
| • Zero disruption to official sessions (FP, Q, Race) |
| • Dedicated pit lane access and marshaling rules |
Session Timing and Track Access
Formula 1 race weekends are tightly regulated, with practice sessions, qualifying rounds, support races (F2, F3, Porsche Supercup), and driver parades mapped down to the minute. The FIA granted the APXGP production team precise time slots—often 15 to 20 minutes between official sessions—to run their camera cars on track. The film cars were strictly prohibited from interfering with active session times or official championship competitors during green-flag conditions.
Paddock Security and Confidentiality
Formula 1 is an intensely secretive environment where teams guard aerodynamic secrets, telemetry data, and floor designs from rivals. The production crew had to maintain strict boundaries to ensure that camera operations around the APXGP pit garage did not inadvertently capture or broadcast proprietary technical details from neighboring teams like Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, or Mercedes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official title of the "2023 F1 film"?
The official title of the movie is simply F1. During its production phase throughout 2023 and early 2024, the media and racing fans widely referred to it as "the Brad Pitt F1 movie" or the "2023 F1 film project."
Did Brad Pitt actually drive real Formula 1 cars during filming?
Brad Pitt drove real, high-performance race cars, but they were not current-generation Formula 1 cars. The production utilized modified Formula 2 open-wheel race cars custom-fitted with Mercedes-designed F1-style aerodynamic bodywork. Pitt underwent extensive training to safely drive these vehicles at speeds exceeding 150 mph (240 km/h) on active Grand Prix circuits.
Is the F1 movie based on a true story?
No, F1 is a fictional narrative created by screenwriter Ehren Kruger and director Joseph Kosinski. However, the film is deeply rooted in the real world of Formula 1, incorporating authentic teams, actual race tracks, live grandstand crowds, real commentators, and cameo appearances by genuine F1 drivers and team principals.
What team does Brad Pitt race for in the film?
Brad Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a veteran driver who races for APXGP (Apex Grand Prix), a fictional eleventh team added to the modern grid. The production set up a realistic, fully functioning pit garage and paddock building for APXGP during real 2023 and 2024 race weekends.
How was Lewis Hamilton involved in the film?
Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton served as an executive producer and technical consultant on the film through his production company, Dawn Apollo Films. Hamilton reviewed script drafts, advised on physical driver movements, assisted with realistic dialogue, and helped design camera perspectives to ensure the racing experience was represented accurately.
Where can I watch the F1 movie?
The film received an extensive worldwide theatrical release in summer 2025 distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, with a focus on IMAX and premium large formats. Following its theatrical run, the movie is available for streaming exclusively on Apple TV+, as well as on major digital VOD platforms for purchase or rental.
Summary and Viewing Guidance
For motorsport fans and cinema enthusiasts looking to experience the F1 project, the following actions provide the best path to enjoying and understanding the film's production background:
- Watch on Premium Large Formats or Apple TV+: To appreciate the film's practical photography, camera placement, and high-speed audio engineering, view the feature on high-resolution displays with immersive surround sound setups (such as Dolby Atmos).
- Explore Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes: Look for official Apple Original Films featurettes detailing how the modified Mercedes-AMG F2 chassis and Sony 6K camera setups were constructed.
- Compare with Real-World Telemetry: Motorsports technical enthusiasts can compare the film's on-board driving footage with authentic F1 car-camera feeds from official channels to appreciate the precision of the practical stunt driving.
