#F1TheMovie: "We Wouldn't Have This Movie Without Lewis"

Hamilton shaped the story, fine-tuned the sound, and tested Pitt on track—literally.

Brad Pitt Interview // F1 The Movie

Brad Pitt is no stranger to transformation, but for his latest role, the Hollywood icon didn’t just wear a racing suit—he lived in it. Embedded with real Formula 1 teams for nearly two years, Pitt trained like a pro driver, learned the language of downforce, and lived through the literal pressure of performing on-track in front of 100,000 fans. In this raw and riveting sit-down with Beyond the Grid, Pitt opens up about the making of his F1 movie—tentatively titled Apex—from racing side-by-side with pros to crafting a story that hits just as hard off the track. The actor gets candid about adrenaline, artistry, and what happens when Lewis Hamilton critiques your gear shifts. He’s part Steve McQueen, part Sunday league racer with something to prove. And somehow, that combo just might work.

THE LOWDOWN

• Brad Pitt trained for nearly two years to convincingly play a retired racer returning to Formula 1.

• The fictional "Apex" team embedded into real F1 weekends, including Silverstone and Vegas.

• Pitt hit 197 mph in an adapted F2 car and tested a McLaren F1 car built for filming.

• Lewis Hamilton was heavily involved in script development and technical accuracy.

• The film draws on real F1 history, including Martin Donnelly’s crash and Fernando Alonso’s strategic spirit.

• Pitt felt the emotional and spiritual intensity of racing, calling it the most “visceral feeling” ever captured on film.

"Trust the Car, Trust the Car, Trust the Car"

Brad’s race training started four months before filming and lasted nearly two years. He pushed his limits—physically and mentally—learning to handle speed, brake late, and corner with confidence. Top speed: 197 mph. Real lesson: learning to trust the machine.

“You're flat out down the straight... there's a brick wall in front of you... it's staggering what these brakes can do.” – Brad Pitt

"I Felt Like a Horse’s Ass on the Grid"

First day filming at Silverstone? National anthem next to real F1 drivers. Pitt felt like an imposter—but he powered through. By the end, he says, it felt like home.

“We had to prove we wouldn’t f**k up the program. And we didn’t.” – Brad Pitt

"We Shot It Like It Was Real"

The film isn’t about racing. It is racing. Pitt and team embedded at live events, using real race weekends as their film set. Every shot came with limits—like nine minutes to film a key scene between live sessions.

“There’s an excitement to that. It adds to the need for speed.” – Brad Pitt

"Lewis Helped Find the Ending"

Hamilton wasn’t just a consultant—he was a co-creator. From 12-hour script sessions to on-track coaching, his fingerprints are all over the film. Pitt says one of Hamilton’s descriptions helped define the film’s final emotional beat.

“We wouldn’t have this movie without Lewis. Period.” – Brad Pitt

"A Story That Hits Gearheads and Newbies"

Striking the balance between die-hard fans and fresh eyes was the film’s biggest narrative challenge. They used real-world inspiration—like Martin Donnelly’s crash—but worked to make the emotional arc universally relatable.

“We had to thread this needle for two years... and we did.” – Brad Pitt

"Spa Was Like Driving Through a Dream"

Brad’s favorite track? Spa-Francorchamps. He calls it “graceful” and “sublime,” with corners that felt more like music than motion. Rouge, in particular, left him breathless—even as a spectator.

“When Fernando came by, it literally sucked the air out of your lungs.” – Brad Pitt

"I Could See Myself Racing—For Real"

Inspired by Paul Newman, Brad’s not ruling out a future behind the wheel. With his competitive edge and late-career energy, endurance racing could be on the cards.

“I know I could be competitive... but there’s still a lot to learn.” – Brad Pitt

Quickfire

Would you do endurance racing with Lewis? “Yeah. I put us behind, he makes up for it.”

Favorite F1 moment ever? Martin Donnelly driving with 5 on the floor—“It gets you in the heart.”

Would you want a sequel to the F1 movie? “Absolutely. Even if I’ve aged out—I’d love it.”

Next project? A Tarantino-scripted film directed by Fincher. Filming in LA.