Brad Pitt Hits Top Gear in ‘F1’: A High-Speed Drama Racing into Theatres June 27

Hollywood icon Brad Pitt is making a much-anticipated return to the big screen in F1, an electrifying motorsport drama racing into cinemas on June 27 in North America and internationally on June 25.

The film’s recently released trailer is already stirring excitement among fans, teasing emotional rivalries, thrilling action, and intense on-track drama.

A Fictional F1 Comeback with Real-World Roots

Directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Pitt, and seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, F1 centers around a fictional team called APXGP.

The story follows Sonny Hayes, portrayed by Brad Pitt, a former Formula 1 driver who left the sport years earlier after a life-altering crash.

Hayes is called back into the racing world by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes, played by Javier Bardem, to help revive the struggling team.

Hayes’s return is not just about racing. He is tasked with mentoring the team’s rookie driver, Joshua Pearce, an outspoken and ambitious talent played by Damson Idris.

Trailer Teases Rivalry and Redemption

The film’s trailer, nearly two and a half minutes long, showcases the tense relationship between Hayes and Pearce. One scene highlights Pearce asserting himself: “You’re making a mistake thinking I’m going to be some grateful kid who will bend a knee to an oldtimer.”

Another moment sees team director Kate McKenna, played by Kerry Condon, confronting Hayes about the stakes of his return.

“Formula 1 is a team sport. It always was. We all lose our jobs if you can’t pull off a miracle,” she warns.

The trailer emphasizes the internal team struggles and the pressure on Hayes to find purpose again, both as a mentor and a racer, amid a turbulent comeback.

High-Speed Action with Authentic F1 Backdrop

Though fictional, F1 was filmed during actual Grand Prix weekends. Brad Pitt and Damson Idris reportedly drove real F1 cars at speeds exceeding 180 mph, lending authenticity to the film’s action scenes.

Locations featured in the movie include Silverstone, Las Vegas, Monza, and Abu Dhabi—adding a global flair to the cinematic racing sequences.

At Silverstone, the production even joined the official F1 grid during the formation lap ahead of the 2023 race, and footage from this appears in the trailer.

Pitt and Idris also participated in the pre-race anthem alongside real F1 drivers, including Max Verstappen. Pitt was later seen filming on the grid at the 2024 edition, and interacting with Fernando Alonso in the media pen—a scene also featured in the trailer.

Strong Supporting Cast and Team Dynamics

Alongside Pitt, Damson Idris shines as Joshua Pearce, the talented newcomer pushing boundaries and questioning authority. Javier Bardem brings gravitas to the role of Ruben Cervantes, Hayes’s former teammate and now team owner trying to save APXGP.

Kerry Condon’s character, team director Kate McKenna, plays a pivotal role in steering the emotional tone of the story. Her character serves as both a voice of reason and a strong leader trying to hold the team together.

The trailer includes a striking monologue by McKenna directed at Hayes:
“Why are you here? When you look in the mirror, you see this rough and tough and tumble old school cowboy. Doesn’t take orders. Goes his own way. A lone wolf. Well, I have news for you. Formula 1 is a team sport. It always was. Listen, let’s get this straight. We all lose our jobs if you can’t pull off a miracle. The only question here is why does Hayes come back to F1?”

A Story of Second Chances and Speed

One scene captures Pearce’s cutting remark to Hayes: “I think it’s really wonderful that Apex has given second chances to the elderly,” showing just how intense and personal the rivalry becomes.

As the storyline unfolds, the movie explores whether Hayes can earn the respect of the younger generation while finding redemption in a sport that once nearly cost him everything.

The McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, which serves as the headquarters of the real-life constructors’ champions McLaren, appears in the film as the fictional APXGP team base.