Aksel Kryhlmand
With a production budget reportedly swelling to $300 million, F1: The Movie is one of the most ambitious sports films ever made.
Formula 1 and Hollywood collided in spectacular fashion on Monday night as the world premiere of F1: The Movie lit up Times Square, New York. From A-list actors and motorsport royalty to daring red carpet fashion and high-octane buzz, the star-studded event marked a landmark moment for the sport’s crossover into cinema.
The film, starring Brad Pitt and co-produced by Lewis Hamilton, hits UK cinemas on June 25, and expectations are running as high as the sport’s 200mph machines.
Brad Pitt and Hamilton Steal the Spotlight
Taking centre stage on the red carpet were the film’s leading man Brad Pitt and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who dazzled in a tailored white ensemble. Hamilton plays a key role behind the scenes as both executive producer and technical advisor, ensuring the film captures the authentic spirit of Formula 1.
Pitt, who plays Sonny Hayes, a fictional ex-driver coaxed back into the sport to mentor rookie Joshua Pearce (played by Damson Idris), posed alongside Hamilton and other F1 icons.
This project has been a labour of passion,” Hamilton told Esquire. “We worked hard to keep it real, down to every pit stop, strategy call and overtake.
Glamour on the Grid
The event drew a who’s who of F1. Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Pierre Gasly all arrived fresh off the Canadian Grand Prix, which Russell won just 24 hours earlier. Leclerc walked hand-in-hand with girlfriend Alexandra Saint Mleux, while Gasly attended with partner Francisca Cerqueira Gomes.
Nico Hülkenberg appeared with wife Egle, and Toto Wolff attended with actress Kerry Condon. Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell Horner was there in full glam, alongside Red Bull boss Christian Horner.
Lindsey Vonn, Olympic ski champion and former partner of Tiger Woods, turned heads in a bold brown leather outfit. Also present were F1 legend Jenson Button and fiancée Brittny Ward, as well as Pitt’s partner Ines de Ramon.
Authenticity Above All
Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), and scored by Hans Zimmer, the film aims to blend Hollywood thrills with real-world racing grit.
Hamilton ensured authenticity from script to screen
I had to call out the bulls” he admitted, referencing exaggerated crash sequences and inaccurate jargon. “If a car flips and keeps going, that’s not Formula 1. We needed realism.
One of Hamilton’s proudest contributions was pushing for diversity on set.
We’ve got a woman in the pit crew,” he said. “That’s never happened at an actual F1 track.
The film was made in collaboration with the FIA, and production included filming during actual race weekends, with Pitt even seen in mixed media zones during Grands Prix.
Big Budget, Big Expectations
With a production budget reportedly swelling to $300 million, F1: The Movie is one of the most ambitious sports films ever made. Combining real race footage, a blockbuster cast, and behind-the-scenes access, it aims to do for motorsport what Top Gun did for naval aviation.
Coming Soon to a Circuit Near You
As fans eagerly await the film’s release, the world premiere served as both a celebration and a symbol of Formula 1’s growing global influence.
With Hamilton at the helm of its authenticity, and Brad Pitt lending his Hollywood gravitas, F1: The Movie looks set to take pole position in the world of sports cinema.