Just In: Lewis Hamilton points out “call bull****” moments in… Read More
Lewis Hamilton points out “call bull****” moments in… Read More
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, is not just a star on the track; he’s also playing a key role behind the scenes in Hollywood. As an executive producer for the upcoming F1 film, starring Brad Pitt, Hamilton has been instrumental in ensuring the film’s authenticity, especially when it comes to portraying the technicalities and realities of the sport.
The film, set to be released next year, features Pitt as a seasoned racing driver attempting to make a comeback to his former glory. Given Hamilton’s deep involvement, his insights have been crucial in shaping the movie to be as true to life as possible.
In a recent interview with Esquire, Hamilton was asked to identify the moments during filming where he had to “call bull****” on certain scenes or aspects of the script. He revealed that his primary concerns were around the racing scenarios, technical jargon, and how certain sequences were depicted. “It would just be racing scenarios,” Hamilton explained. “Technical jargon engineers would talk. But particularly racing scenarios and sequences between overtakes and pit stops and strategies and all those sorts of things.”
One example Hamilton gave was a scene involving a crash, where a car hits a wall, flips over, and then continues driving as if nothing happened. “That doesn’t happen in Formula 1,” Hamilton pointed out, highlighting the need for the film to stay grounded in reality.
Hamilton also discussed the collaborative process with Ehren Kruger, the screenwriter for the film. “Ehren basically did a ton of research, watched a lot of races, came to a bunch of races, and then went away and wrote up a script. But we would sit and talk about what racing is about,” he said. “Then once he wrote the script, I would sit with him and call bull****, basically, on the things that don’t seem real and are not what F1 is about and try to make sure that it’s as authentic as possible.”
In addition to overseeing the film’s authenticity, Hamilton has also been deeply involved in other aspects of production. He mentioned that starting his own production company allowed him to have significant influence over the film’s direction. “I’ve been able to be involved in all areas—so making sure the cast is diverse, making sure we’ve got a woman in a pit stop, which we never, ever had at the actual track,” Hamilton said. This emphasis on diversity and inclusion is a key part of Hamilton’s vision for the film.
Hamilton also shared his excitement about collaborating with renowned composer Hans Zimmer, who will be scoring the movie. “Hans Zimmer was someone I wanted to have doing the [music for the] movie, so we have Hans Zimmer,” he revealed. He praised director Joe Kosinski for his openness to Hamilton’s input, stating, “Joe has been amazing at including me in everything.”
One of the film’s most talked-about moments so far was when Pitt drove an adapted F2 car at last year’s British Grand Prix, with the scenes being shot in front of a real crowd to capture an authentic racing atmosphere. Hamilton also gave insight into Pitt’s driving skills, recounting a time when they went to a track in Los Angeles for a test drive. “I took him out and sat in the passenger seat, and he drove,” Hamilton said, recalling his past experience as a driving coach. “You can tell immediately the good ones, the bad ones. Straight away he was on it. You could tell he has it. He has it in his DNA. He’s just not been able to hone in on it like we have. But he’s got big potential.”
Despite the film’s premise of a 50-something driver making a comeback, Hamilton acknowledged the improbability of such a scenario in real life but appreciated the creative challenge it presents. “Ultimately, the story of a fifty-odd-year-old jumping into the season and fighting against us youngsters—it’s just not the done thing,” he said. However, Hamilton is confident that the film will explore this concept in a way that respects the sport’s complexities and intricacies.
As the film’s release date approaches, Hamilton’s involvement continues to ensure that it remains true to the spirit of Formula 1, while also pushing boundaries in storytelling and representation.
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