Lewis Hamilton integral to upcoming Formula One movie, says director Kosinski

Brad Pitt’s Formula One Movie Relied Heavily on Lewis Hamilton’s Expertise

Brad Pitt’s highly anticipated Formula One movie has been described by its director as impossible to make without the pivotal involvement of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Joseph Kosinski, the filmmaker behind the Apple Original film titled F1, highlighted Hamilton’s integral role as a co-producer and consultant in ensuring the project’s authenticity. Scheduled for a theatrical release and IMAX debut on June 25 internationally and June 27 in North America, the film features action sequences shot during Formula One race weekends with the cooperation of Liberty Media.

Speaking to reporters at the Canadian Grand Prix after an advance screening of the film, Kosinski praised Hamilton’s contributions, crediting the Briton as a driving force behind the production. A 40-year-old icon of the sport, Hamilton recently made headlines with his move to Ferrari after securing six of his seven championship titles with Mercedes. Aside from his on-track ventures, Hamilton has actively embraced a creative role in filmmaking, with his Dawn Apollo production company also involved in the upcoming movie.

Hamilton’s Early Involvement

Kosinski reflected on Hamilton’s early involvement, recounting how the champion racer was his first point of contact when the idea for the movie began to take shape. “I sent him an email and just said, ‘I want to tell the story in your world. I want to make it as authentic as possible. Will you help me?’” Kosinski said. “And luckily Lewis said yes. He had actually talked to me earlier about playing a role in Top Gun: Maverick. So that’s how I knew Lewis.”

Although Hamilton had to forgo a role in Top Gun: Maverick due to his Formula One commitments, his contributions to F1 were far-reaching. Acting as a bridge between Formula One and the filmmakers, Hamilton provided crucial insight on technical accuracy and racing details. In addition to consulting, he mentored stars Brad Pitt and Damson Idris to refine their portrayal of professional drivers.

Attention to Technical Accuracy

Kosinski shared an example of Hamilton’s influence during the film’s production. “At Hungary, for instance, he said, ‘If Brad’s going to let someone pass during a blue flag and he wants it to be as tight as possible, he’s going to only do that at turn six,’” the director recalled. “That kind of detail … from a seven-time world champion who lives and breathes this world every day, I couldn’t have gotten that from anywhere else.”

Hamilton’s involvement extended to shaping the narrative itself. Kosinski revealed that one scene, where Pitt's character reflects on the spiritual motivations behind racing, directly drew inspiration from discussions with Hamilton. "So his involvement has been amazing. We couldn’t make the film without him."

An Obsession with Authenticity

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer echoed Kosinski’s sentiments, emphasizing Hamilton’s obsession with authenticity, particularly when it came to sound design. At Silverstone, Hamilton pointed out discrepancies between the audio track and a car’s gear changes, insisting that the details be corrected. “It’s that kind of detail that went into this," Bruckheimer noted.

Hamilton has also lauded Pitt’s driving skills, stating that the actor’s speed is genuinely impressive and promising that the film will be the most authentic racing movie ever produced.

Amplifying Formula One’s Global Appeal

Formula One, for its part, hopes the movie will build upon the success of Netflix’s hit docuseries Drive to Survive, which has been instrumental in expanding the sport’s global appeal, particularly in the critical U.S. market. Speaking about the opportunity presented by the film, Kosinski expressed optimism. "I think there’s this perception that Drive to Survive turned America onto F1, but I think there’s just so many more people out there that don’t know anything about it. So there’s a lot of potential still there."

A Celebration of Formula One’s Unique Spirit

With Hamilton’s expertise woven through every facet of the film, F1 is poised to deliver a groundbreaking cinematic experience that celebrates Formula One’s unique spirit while bringing the sport closer to fans worldwide.

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