Brad Pitt underwent intensive F1 training for his role in 'F1,' mastering driving skills with authenticity and realism.
On June 27, Brad Pitt made his much-anticipated return to the big screen starring as Sonny Hayes in the filmF1. The movie centers on Formula 1 racing, and to convincingly portray an elite driver, Pitt underwent rigorous preparation. Unlike driving ordinary cars, handling a Formula 1 vehicle requires exceptional skill, but Pitt appeared completely at ease and natural behind the wheel, impressing audiences worldwide. This immersive experience complemented his role as Sonny Hayes, an ace driver making a comeback to save his ex-teammate’s struggling underdog team, APXGP.
Bringing Sonny Hayes to Life: The Story and Onset Process
The film’s narrative follows Sonny Hayes as he returns to racing after a thirty-year break, aiming to rescue the APXGP team. Directed by Joseph Kosinski and backed by producers including Jerry Bruckheimer, F1 has garnered significant attention at global box offices. To capture the authenticity of this high-speed world, Pitt undertook a demanding acting and driving regimen. In a discussion with F1 TV, Pitt revealed his lifelong passion for racing, which helped fuel his pursuit of this role.
He said,
“I’ve always loved racing. I grew up with Jackie Stewart [racing in F1] as some of my earliest memories. In the ’90s, I really got heavily into MotoGP. Then I started veering into F1, and here we are. I’ve been trying to get a racing movie done for 20 years. I’ve tried bikes, I’ve tried cars, I’ve tried different disciplines, and for whatever reason, they never came to fruition.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
With the involvement of Apple as a major supporter and having veteran filmmakers Kosinski and Bruckheimer at the helm, the project was set on delivering the most realistic racing movie to date. Pitt explained,
Image of: Brad Pitt
“We got a great push behind us [for this film], people were more and more interested [in F1], so we could get [a company] like Apple to come in and really support us. It was Joe Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer, just coming off [filming] Maverick, who said, ‘[We] want to make the most realistic racing movie we’ve seen to date’, and I think that’s what we’ve done.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Experiencing the Race: Practical Training Beyond the Studio
To emphasize authenticity, the production avoided relying on studio tricks like wind machines and green screens. Instead, Pitt and the cast got behind the wheel of real cars, experiencing the physical demands of racing firsthand. Pitt shared,
“You can’t compete with this experience. It’s almost like when we get to the acting scenes, you kind of go, ‘Oh, okay, no driving today!’ It’s really been amazing.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
In a recent Variety interview, Pitt elaborated on the two-year period during which he and co-star Damson Idris collectively spent thousands of miles driving to prepare for their roles. He stated,
“We ended up driving for about two years. I was told that we drove 6,000 miles in total in these cars. So, I’m kinda proud of that.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
The authenticity of the racing scenes was further enhanced by the involvement of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton. He worked closely with the actors to ensure every racing detail — from driving technique to sound accuracy — was genuine. Pitt praised Hamilton’s expertise, describing how crucial his feedback was on set. He said,
“Lewis’s knowledge has been so immensely helpful. He’s been keeping us straight, going, ‘No, that doesn’t fly,’ right down to the sound. He can actually pick it out and go, ‘No, that’s Turn 12, not Turn 16. You need more reverb on the straight’ – he’s that specific.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Preparing for Filming: Testing on Real Racing Circuits
Prior to filming, Pitt and Idris underwent a strict training regimen that included testing Formula 2 and Formula 3 vehicles on France’s Circuit Paul Ricard. Though Brad Pitt’s car was a modified vehicle combining elements of Formula 2 and 3 models rather than a full F1 car, the experience was designed to mimic the reality of professional racing. The production used several renowned racetracks for filming, including Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, Monza Circuit in Italy, and the Las Vegas Strip Circuit in Nevada.
The Impact of Brad Pitt’s Deep Immersion on the Film’s Authenticity
Brad Pitt’s dedicated approach to becoming an F1 driver on screen brings a heightened level of realism to the film, setting it apart from previous racing movies. His two years of hands-on driving, combined with expert guidance from Lewis Hamilton and meticulous filming on famous tracks, enhances the story’s credibility and immerses audiences in the high-stakes world of Formula 1 racing. Given the enthusiastic response so far, this methodical preparation is likely to influence future sports biopics and racing films that seek similar authenticity.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Brad Pitt diagnosed with?
A. Yes, they did. The actress and her husband attempted to have a baby using IVF, but none of these attempts worked. A report mentioned that she did become pregnant once, but unfortunately, she had a miscarriage in the second month.
Q. What was Brad Pitt diagnosed with?
A. Prosopagnosia, known as face blindness, is an uncommon brain condition impacting around 2% of people, including possibly famous actor Brad Pitt.
Q. Did Brad Pitt do any surgery?
A. A popular TikTok video by doctors examining a slight ear scar sparked rumors about a hidden facelift, but Brad hasn’t confirmed any cosmetic surgery. Fans see a noticeable change in his face when comparing photos from 2020 to 2024, noting a smoother mid and lower face and a sharpened jawline.
Q. What is Brad Pitt’s religion?
A. Brad Pitt is the newest celebrity to distance himself from his Christian background. During the Cannes Film Festival, he expressed concerns about his strict religious upbringing.
Some stars raised as Christians have found that the teachings of the Bible did not help them in life.
