Breaking:Brad Pitt Settles the Debate on Beating Lewis Hamilton in a R…read more
Brad Pitt Shares Honest Take on Racing Against Lewis Hamilton as New F1 Film Premieres
Hollywood icon Brad Pitt has delivered a definitive — and humble — response to a question many fans were curious about: Could he beat Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton on the racetrack? The answer, according to Pitt himself, is an emphatic no.
“There is not a chance in hell,” Pitt laughed during a red carpet interview with Variety at the global premiere of his upcoming F1-themed film in Times Square, New York. The comment came as he addressed the idea of racing toe-to-toe with the seven-time world champion, who also serves as a producer on the much-anticipated movie, simply titled F1.
The film, directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), sees Pitt take on the role of Sonny Hayes, a once-great driver lured out of retirement to mentor a rising star. Damson Idris portrays his rookie teammate, Joshua Pearce, as they join forces under the fictional team APX GP. The story blends fictional characters with real-world F1 teams and drivers, including appearances from Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull Racing — with reigning champion Max Verstappen even making a cameo.
While Pitt’s character is scripted to go up against the best in the business, the actor made it clear that in real life, Hamilton remains untouchable behind the wheel.
Still, the Fight Club star didn’t shy away from emphasizing the depth of his commitment to the role. “We ended up driving for about two years,” he said. “I was told that we drove 6,000 miles in total in these cars, so I’m kind of proud of that.” Pitt underwent extensive training in Formula 2 vehicles to convincingly portray a professional racer, and filmed track scenes at several real Grand Prix circuits around the world.
Production on the film began in 2023 but faced delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strike that temporarily shut down most of Hollywood. Filming resumed at the British Grand Prix the following year, with the APX GP set being rebuilt trackside to capture the authenticity and adrenaline of a real race weekend.
Hamilton, who has a hands-on role as a producer, was instrumental in ensuring the accuracy of the racing scenes. According to Idris, the British driver’s role was to “call BS” on anything in the script that didn’t feel true to life in F1. The production team worked tirelessly to ensure the final result would resonate with both die-hard motorsport fans and general audiences.
The premiere attracted a star-studded guest list, including real F1 drivers and key figures from the paddock, as early reviews for the movie began circulating. While reactions to the film have been mixed, there is consensus that the project breaks new ground by blending Hollywood storytelling with genuine racing action.
Though Pitt admitted he could never truly challenge Hamilton in a race, his performance in F1 is earning admiration for bringing the speed, danger, and drama of Formula 1 to the big screen in an entirely new way. The movie is set for a wide theatrical release next week and is expected to draw crowds from both racing and cinema audiences alike.
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