As we’d been promised, this year’s British Grand Prix was yet another headline-worthy affair.
Aside from outstanding on-track performances by McLaren Racing’s Lando Norris and Aussie rookie Oscar Piastri — who finished P2 and P4, respectively — Brad Pitt and Damson Idris made quite the appearance while shooting their Formula 1 movie being directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick).
The Apple Studios-backed production, believed to be titled Apex, achieved all-new heights of authenticity by having Pitt and his co-star join the drivers’ briefing ahead of the actual race — which seven-time world champion and producer Sir Lewis Hamilton called “probably the best drivers’ briefing we’ve ever had” — line up for the national anthem, and even walk through Silverstone in full costume.
Brad Pitt is suited and booted for his run on track 👀 pic.twitter.com/cxDZmwJoi4
— WTF1 (@wtf1official) July 9, 2023
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Additionally, the film’s fictional 11th team — dubbed APXGP — had its very own garage and pit-bay alongside Scuderia Ferrari; and even showcased a Formula 2 car modified by the Mercedes team to resemble current F1 machinery (fitted out with camera technology similar to that of Top Gun: Maverick for the action).
Although the AXGP cars did participate in the formation lap, it’s worth noting that in this specific instance, these race rigs were piloted by ex-drivers Craig Dolby and Luciano Bachetta — not Pitt and Idris. The latter two did, however, take the high-powered whips for a spin earlier when nobody else was on the track for safety reasons (see: below).
Hello Mr Brad Pitt. #BritishGrandPrix pic.twitter.com/18ogvZgR2r
— Simon James Rayfield (@SimonJRayfield) July 8, 2023
As for the plot of Joseph Kosinski’s yet-to-be-officially-titled Formula 1 movie, it’ll follow a grid veteran named Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) who comes out of retirement to mentor up-and-coming young gun Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris).
“I play a guy who raced in the 1990s who has a horrible crash and disappears to race in other disciplines,” Brad Pitt explained to Sky Sports.
“His friend (played by Javier Bardem), the team owner, contacts him. They’re last in the grid, they haven’t scored a point. But they have a young phenom, played by Damson Idris, and they bring me in as kind of a Hail Mary.”
“You’ve never seen speed, you’ve never seen the G-forces like this. The footage is really, really exciting.”
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New 11th #Formula1 team just has been revealed!
— F1newsletter.com (@F1_Newsletter) July 6, 2023
APXGP with Mercedes engines and Sonny Hayes & Brad Pitt as a drivers will race only in Apple’s new movie of course. #F1 pic.twitter.com/3dJQWKLyBG
Pitt added of his own experience behind the wheel: “I wasn’t nervous when I was out on the track today. The guys really prepared me well.”
“There’s a couple of corners where I can see the stands, but I was focused on the lines. I was able to appreciate the experience of driving when I was on the straights.”
“This should be as authentic as we can get it. Lewis wants us to respect the sport, that we really show it for what it is. As a civilian, I had no idea what it takes to be a driver. The aggression and dexterity, I have so much respect for it.”
Brad Pitt would later insist on getting a cameo appearance from retired driver and beloved commentator Martin Brundle; Kerry Condon and Tobias Menzies are also expected to make an appearance in this forthcoming release with the legendary Jerry Bruckheimer signed on to produce.
Check out the first look at Joseph Kosinski’s Formula 1 movie starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris above/below.
