This upcoming weekend is a double treat for the F1 fans worldwide. Formula 1 returns to the Red Bull Ring, and we expect high performance again. Not only an adrenaline rush, but Brad Pitt’s most anticipated "F1: The Movie" is also set to roar into cinemas worldwide.
As the engines rev up for the Austrian Grand Prix, the silver screen will bring the drama, speed, and adrenaline of Formula 1 to life like never before. Whether you are a motorsport enthusiast or a moviegoer, you are gearing up for a racing cinematic experience that promises to blend with Hollywood storytelling. Here’s everything you need to know about F1: The Movie.
16 Amazing Facts About F1: The Movie Every Fan Should Know
F1: The Movie is not just another racing film. It’s a cinematic attempt to demonstrate the drama and speed on the silver screen. Produced in collaboration with Jerry Bruckheimer and Lewis Hamilton, the film is expected to become a cultural phenomenon. However, a few things happened behind the curtain that F1 fans and movie lovers should know.
So, here are 16 amazing facts about F1: The Movie that every fan should know.
# Fact 1
F1: The Movie is directed by Joseph Kosinski. He is a renowned Hollywood director known for his works like Top Gun: Maverick and Tron Legacy. He has extensive experience in CGI, computer-aided graphics, and IMAX filming.
# Fact 2
All official F1 teams and drivers from the 2023 F1 World Championship season will appear in the film. This also includes drivers like Logan Sargent, Liam Lawson, and Daniel Ricciardo.
# Fact 3
F1: The Movie production studio and Apple TV Original Films have scouted for sponsorship for the APX GP Racing Team for the movie. These sponsors include Expensivy, EA Sports, MSC Cruises, Tommy Hilfiger, and SharkNinja.
# Fact 4
The APX GP F1 cars from the movie are modified Formula 2 cars with all-new, improved aerodynamic parts. The car was made in collaboration by Mercedes F1 and F2 Team Carlin Motorsport.
# Fact 5
Brad Pitt and Damson Idris tested Formula 3 and Formula 2 cars at Circuit Paul Richard before the on-track shoot for the film. This on-track shooting commenced at the 2023 British Grand Prix.
# Fact 6
Actress Kerry Condon, who plays Kate McKenna as a race strategist in the movie for the APX GP team, has spent time with real F1 strategists such as Ruth Buscombe and Bernie Collins. It was an important factor to play the exact role in the movie.
# Fact 7
F1: The Movie was shot across the 2023 and 2024 Formula 1 seasons. However, some additional filming was also done during the 2024 24 Hours of Daytona.
# Fact 8
Hans Zimmer has produced the title score for the film. It is the second time that he has produced the sound score for a racing movie related to F1. He had previously produced a sound score for Rush (2013). It was an F1 movie about the rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda in 1976.
# Fact 9
The movie was filmed during actual Grand Prix weekends. A dedicated garage was set up between the Mercedes and Ferrari teams, immersing the cast and crew in the real F1 paddock environment. Real drivers, a real track, and real entertainment.
# Fact 10
The racing scenes from the movie are a mixture of real-life footage recorded on 4K cameras on all F1 cars. Later, in some scenes, edited VFX is used.
# Fact 11
The protagonists in the film drive F1 cars numbered 7 and 9. These numbers were available in 2023 due to the retirement of Kimi Raikkonen and the vacancy of Nikita Mazepin.
# Fact 12
For every F1 fan out there, you can play as Sonny Hayes and Joshua Pearce as F1 drivers in the APX GP team in the EA Sports F1 25 game. It is available in the F1 25th Anniversary Edition.
# Fact 13
The film took place on real F1 tracks such as Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, Mexico City, Las Vegas, Monza, Yas Marina, and many more.
# Fact 14
The legendary Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer admitted that this movie is the second movie he directed from the motorsport genre. His first motorsport-produced movie was Days of Thunder. It was a NASCAR-inspired movie that features Tom Cruise.
# Fact 15
With an estimated budget of $250 million, F1: The Movie is one of the most expensive racing films ever made.
# Fact 16
7-time F1 world champion driver Lewis Hamilton works as an official producer for the film. He is also credited in the movie with adding authenticity, realism, creativity, and story elements.
Verdict
F1: The Movie is set to redefine motorsport films. With its splendid star-studded cast, authentic racing sequences, and a mission to engage new fans, the film is poised to make a lasting impact both on and off the track. As you prepare to watch, keep these facts in mind; they’ll give you an insider’s edge to celebrate everything that makes F1 the pinnacle of motorsport.
