After the success of Netflix’s ‘Drive To Survive’, Formula One has turned to the box office to further boost the popularity of the sport. The sport will soon see a Formula 1-based movie starring Oscar-winning actor Brad Pitt.
The actor plays the role of an experienced F1 driver who comes out of retirement to a young upcoming driver. The shooting of the upcoming movie, which is co-produced by 7x champion Lewis Hamilton, will begin in full swing this year.
According to reports, the movie will be filmed at various locations across the 2023 calendar during the 3-day Grand Prix weekend. The first race at which the filming will take place will be the 2023 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
The movie has already created a lot of buzz amongst F1 fans. Therefore the sport has allowed the movie’s camera crew to get up close with the actual F1 grid, to make it as realistic as possible.
Brad Pitt allowed on the pre-race drivers’ parade at Silverstone
Formula 1 has committed itself to make the upcoming Brad Pitt starring flick as real as it gets. The sport has allowed the camera crew to film parts of the movie during the main race event. However, F1 has also extended its support by relaxing some of its tightest rules.
As per reports, the sport has allowed Pitt to take part in the pre-race driver’s parade. This means, Pitt will be featured as the 21st driver on the F1 grid alongside everyone else. The actor and his camera crew will also follow him in the F1 paddock and possibly the pitlane.
This would allow the movie to be completely integrated with the on-track racing. It also marks the first time the sport has relaxed the rules to allow outsiders on the F1 grid.
Formula 1 CEO warns teams of ‘invasive’ shooting
Along with Brad Pitt, the upcoming F1 movie will also star Damson Idris. The movie will be directed by “Top Gun: Maverick” director Joe Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. The movie is co-produced by Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton’s production company, Dawn Apollo Films.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali considers the movie to be a landmark achievement for the sport. He boasts, “It will be the first movie where they will be within the racing event.” However, Domencalli has warned teams about the inconvenience for teams and drivers caused by the presence of the camera crew in the paddock during race day.
Regardless, the F1 boss believes this will test the spirit of the sport. He said, “It will be quite invasive. In terms of production, it is something that we need to control in a way, but it will be another way of showing that Formula 1 never stops.”
The need for the F1 movie was stressed by Liberty Media CEO, Greg Maffei. He believes the sport cannot solely rely on the ‘Drive To Survive for popularity.
